Michael Punzak’s New Book Reflects on the Evils of Greed and the Value of Sharing
Cambridge, Mass. (PRWEB) January 13, 2014 -- For many years, an old woman and an old man lived together happily. Although they were poor, they love children and prayed for one. However, they remained childless. Little did they know a little bean that hops out of a pot will help change their lives forever in a way they never expected.
“Nookoodoo Master Bean” written by author Michael Punzak tells the story of Nookoodoo, a tiny bean with charm and feistiness who has to overcome a wicked king who betrayed his promises to his kingdom. It revolves around a poor, childless couple longing for a child of their own. One day, while the old man is cooking meal for dinner from a large pot filled with leftovers, a small bean with two legs and a little green and white baseball cap named Nookoodoo Master Bean suddenly hops out of it, announcing he was their son. To his amazement, the old man scratches his head and tells Nookoodoo Master Bean to go to the king’s kingdom as the said king promised to give a farthing to the parents of all children born in his kingdom.
Nookoodoo starts his journey towards the king’s kingdom. On his way, he meets a woman washing clothes on a stream, a jackal, a fierce wolf and a ferocious tiger who, save for the woman, wanted to come along with him in the king’s kingdom. What role will all these character play in Nookoodoo’s quest to get a farthing from the king for his adopted parents? Will the king share some of his farthing and all other treasures?
When Punzak first read this story in an out-of-print collection of Persian folktales, he immediately fell in love with it. Without ever reading the story again, he re-imagined it as Master Bean (instead of Master pea) adding in such details as the green-and-white baseball cap, the “jewels of all sorts and descriptions,” “the 21 dollar bills,” and several others. He has told the story of “Nookoodoo Master Bean” hundreds of times already and continues to do so through the publication of this book. An inspirational story fit for children and adult audiences as well, this book will teach everyone the value of sharing what one has with others.
For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.
About the Author
A retired elementary schoolteacher and storyteller/musician, Michael Punzak is a bit of a crusader regarding elementary mathematics education, which, he contends, usually fails to reveal to children the wonder, beauty, playfulness, and mystery of mathematics. “Mathematics,” he says, “is really about pattern.” He is addressing this problem as best as he can with books such as “The Moths of Math,” “The Birds of Math,” and “Hafez the Mathematical Stonecutter,” a collaboration with illustrator Ruth Lieberherr. A “Book of Shapes” should be available online and in printed form, even if self-published. More current information can be found on his website: michaelpunzak.com
Nookoodoo Master Bean * by Michael Punzak
Publication Date: November 25, 2013
Picture Book; $41.99; 66 pages; 978-1-4931-1855-7
Picture Book Hardcover; $51.99; 66 pages; 978-1-4931-1856-4
e-book; $3.99; 978-1-4931-1857-1
Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (812) 355-4079 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.
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