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The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest: Nasruddin Teaches the Town a Lesson (Storey Publishing). Text © 2022 Rebecca Sheir and illustrations © 2022 Mert Tugen.

Special Storytime with Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis

Artists & Authors
For Families
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Auditorium
Free with Museum admission

Join author Rebecca Sheir and composer Eric Shimelonis, creators of WBUR’s award-winning children’s podcast, Circle Round, as they introduce a new picture books series that highlights a range of folktales exploring timeless values of kindness, generosity, acceptance, and more!

In The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest: Nasruddin Teaches the Town a Lesson, Sheir’s original adaptation of a Middle Eastern folktale, readers are introduced to Nasruddin, who is very excited to attend a grand banquet. After a long, hard day working in his vineyard, Nasruddin has no time to spare and heads to the banquet in his work clothes, looking different from what the townspeople were expecting. But Nasruddin is a clever fellow—and he figures out a most delicious way to teach the town a lesson about judging people for the way they look.  

Specially designed to be read aloud and shared, the story is accompanied by questions and prompts for conversation, along with creative storytelling activities.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online.

Who You'll Meet
Eric Shimelonis and Rebecca Sheir

Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis

Rebecca Sheir is the host and writer of WBUR’s Circle Round podcast. She has brought thousands of stories to life as a public radio reporter and host, appearing on such shows as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Here & Now, The Splendid Table and Marketplace. Her first book, Onions and Garlic, was adapted from a Circle Round episode and published by PJ Library.

Eric Shimelonis is the composer and sound designer of WBUR’s Circle Round podcast. As a composer, musician and audio producer, his work has been heard on stage, screen and over the airwaves. Audiences have enjoyed his classical compositions at the Juilliard School, the Rattlestick New Music Series, the Kennedy Center and at a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall.

Visit the shop

In the Bookshop

A bearded man wearing a stained red coat stands with arms and legs outstretched while townspeople look shocked.

The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest

A woman wearing a purple sari holds a jar of honey surrounded by onlookers.

A Taste of Honey