Mister Twister, by Samuil Marshak. Translated to Yiddish by F. Arones [Feivl Arones]. Minsk: M. F. W [Melukhe-farlag fun Vaysrusland]; A. N. Stalin Press, 1936. Yiddish.
Yiddish translation of a rhymed children's story by Samuil Marshak, with full-page lithographed illustrations, in color. Silhouette illustration on front cover.
"Mister Twister" tells the story of an American millionaire who, when visiting Leningrad with his family, is horrified to discover that the hotel where they intended to stay accepts people of color as guests. The story, first published in 1933, ridicules the racism of capitalist America, while extolling the equality in the socialist Soviet Union.
"Mister Twister" was published in many editions over the years, and was adapted for theatre, television and cinema. The first Russian edition was illustrated by the artist Vladimir Lebedev (1891-1967). In following editions, Marshak and Lebedev made changes to both the story and the illustrations, adding and removing details, mostly in attempt to adapt to the ever-changing political demands of the Soviet Union. This Yiddish edition is of an early version of the story.
Samuil (Shmuel) Yakovlevich Marshak (1887-1964), a Russian-Jewish poet, author, playwright and educator, achieved lasting fame as a children's poet. Maxim Gorky proclaimed Marshak to be "the founder of Russia's children's literature". His books were translated to many languages, including Hebrew – the popular Hebrew children's book "HaMefuzar MiKfar Azar" is an adaptation of Marshak's "What an Absent-minded Man".
14, [2] pp., approx. 22X31 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor creases and blemishes. Pen notations on front cover and one leaf. Card board attached to back (abrasions and damp damage to board); cloth strip to spine.