American Book Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 5 (1984) Winner
Howard Schwartz
ハワード・シュワルツ
Howard Schwartz
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1945-04-21 （St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Poet, Editor, Folklorist, Professor
- Active Years
- 1970-
- Affiliations
- University of Missouri–St. Louis (faculty)
- Nominations
- The Diamond Tree: Jewish Tales from Around the World — Nominee (Children's Literature), 1992, Reimagining the Bible: The Storytelling of the Rabbis — Finalist (Jewish Thought), 1999, Invisible Kingdoms: Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits and Demons — Sole Finalist (Children's Literature), 2002-2003
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) | — | — | — | — | United States |
University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL)
Country:
United States
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | National Jewish Book Award | Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism | Reference | Jewish Book Council | Winner |
| 2006 | Koret International Jewish Book Award | Before You Were Born | 児童文学 | Koret Foundation | Winner |
| — | Aesop Prize | — | — | American Folklore Society | Winner |
| — | American Book Award | — | — | Before Columbus Foundation | Winner |
| — | Sydney Taylor Book Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 1996 | National Jewish Book Award (Children's Literature) | Next Year in Jerusalem: 3000 Years of Jewish Stories | 児童文学 | Jewish Book Council | Winner |
| 2000 | National Jewish Book Award (Children's Literature) | The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic | 児童文学 | Jewish Book Council | Winner |
National Jewish Book Award
2005
Work:
Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism
Category:
Reference
Organization:
Jewish Book Council
Result:
Winner
Koret International Jewish Book Award
2006
Work:
Before You Were Born
Category:
児童文学
Organization:
Koret Foundation
Result:
Winner
Aesop Prize
Organization:
American Folklore Society
Result:
Winner
American Book Award
Organization:
Before Columbus Foundation
Result:
Winner
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Result:
Winner
National Jewish Book Award (Children's Literature)
1996
Work:
Next Year in Jerusalem: 3000 Years of Jewish Stories
Category:
児童文学
Organization:
Jewish Book Council
Result:
Winner
National Jewish Book Award (Children's Literature)
2000
Work:
The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic
Category:
児童文学
Organization:
Jewish Book Council
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Elijah’s Violin and Other Jewish Fairy Tales
1983 Children's literature / FolktalesA collection of Jewish folktales from around the world retold for children, presented in a traditional storytelling style.
folktalestraditionmorality
Miriam’s Tambourine: Jewish Folktales from around the World
1986 Children's literature / FolktalesAn anthology of Jewish traditions from many countries, showcasing regional flavors and cultural diversity.
traditionethnic culturefamily
Lilith’s Cave: Jewish Tales of the Supernatural
1987 Folklore / SupernaturalA collection of supernatural tales from Jewish tradition with commentary on origins and symbolism.
supernaturaldemonslegend
Gabriel’s Palace: Jewish Mystical Tales
1993 Folklore / MysticismA short story collection dealing with Jewish mysticism and Kabbalistic motifs.
mysticismKabbalahreligious tales
Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism
2008 Reference / Folklore 700 pagesAn extensive reference work (almost 700 pages) compiling and analyzing myths and folklore of Judaism, arguing for the presence of a Jewish mythology.
Jewish mythologyfolklorereligious symbolism
Leaves from the Garden of Eden
2008 Essays / Short storiesA collection of short pieces and essays drawing on biblical motifs and tradition.
Bibletraditionretelling
Before You Were Born
2005 Children's literatureA children's story portraying the angel Lailah speaking to a child in the womb about life and hidden knowledge.
lifeangelsbirth
Bibliography
- Elijah’s Violin and Other Jewish Fairy Tales (1983)
- Miriam’s Tambourine: Jewish Folktales from around the World (1986)
- Lilith’s Cave: Jewish Tales of the Supernatural (1987)
- Gabriel’s Palace: Jewish Mystical Tales (1993)
- Next Year in Jerusalem: 3000 Years of Jewish Stories (1996)
- The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic (2000)
- Invisible Kingdoms: Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits and Demons (2002-2003)
- Before You Were Born (2005)
- Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism (2008)
- Leaves from the Garden of Eden (2008)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- retellings respectful of traditionscholarly yet readable commentaryfolkloristic approach
- Recurring Motifs
- angelsspirits and demonsfolktale miraclesJewish symbolism
Legacy
Howard Schwartz is known for collecting and retelling Jewish traditions worldwide and for major works arguing for a Jewish mythology. His wide-ranging publications—from children’s books to scholarly reference—have earned major awards and significantly influenced contemporary Jewish literature and folklore studies.
Academic Societies
- American Folklore Society (award recipient)
Archives
- University of Missouri–St. Louis archives (possible holdings of related materials)
Trivia
- He is reported to have collected over a thousand unique Jewish tales from around the world.
- He has been nominated for the National Jewish Book Award six times and has won three times.
- Tree of Souls is an extensive reference work of nearly 700 pages on Jewish mythology.