Gerald Hausman
Author
 
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Gerald Hausman is a frequent storyteller at college writer's programs and at young author's conferences. His lively presentations, complete with a myriad of sound effects, have earned him praise from storytellers, speakers, writers, and listeners. Here is what some listeners have said about Mr. Hausman's live storytelling.....

"Gerry does great growls!"
-Dave Barry, nationally syndicated humorist.

"Gerald Hausman displays a deeper understanding of the natural world than most writers of our generation."
Joseph Bruchac, Native American Storyteller   

"He awakens, not only the poet's skill and sensitivity, but also our own nature, power and inherent divinity..."
Dr. Michael W. Fox, Vice President The Humane Society of the United States

"Your students are indeed fortunate to have someone in their midst who can communicate enthusiasm for learning - the greatest lesson a school could ever teach."
Fred Rogers/Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

Published Books 

THREE LITTLE BIRDS by Cedella Marley & Gerald Hausman Adapted from the song by Bob Marley and illustrated by Mariah Fox Board book: 14 pages Publisher: Tuff Gong Books; Board book with rounded corners edition (December 25, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0971975825 ISBN-13: 978-0971975828

Tuff Gong Books presents Bob Marley's personal vision of positive faith in a richly illustrated Jamaican picture book with full page spreads in luscious color by Mariah Fox (illustrator of The Boy From Nine Miles). The whimsical mixed media images and lyrical text will delight babies, toddlers, and older readers as well. The message is a good vibration if there ever was one-- "Every little thing gonna be all right!" This upbeat board book is adapted by Cedella Marley and Gerald Hausman and it uses the lyrics of "Three Little Birds", one of Bob Marley's most popular songs, as featured in the animated film "Shark Tale". For all ages

The Boy from Nine Miles : The Early Life of Bob Marley by Cedella Marley, Gerald Hausman, Mariah Fox (Illustrator) Hardcover - 64 pages (April 2002) Hampton Roads Pub Co;

ISBN: 1571742824  

A core curriculum book chosen by the Jamaican Ministry of Education for inclusion in all upper primary and lower secondary levels of the school system of Jamaica.

From the Inside Flap Bob Marley's music is known around the globe. The BBC selected "One Love" as the anthem of the millenium and Time magazine declared "EXODUS" the album of the twentieth century. However, while much has been said about the man and his music, very little has been written about his childhood and the influences that made him into the most important artist to give voice to the third world.

Alive with the vivid colors of Jamaica, "The Boy From Nine Miles" begins in the small village where Nesta Robert Marley opened his eyes to the world. The story moves to the markets and streets of Kingston. Here, separated from his family, the five-year-old boy first felt the pain and sorrows of poverty. During his year-long stay in Kingston, the young Marley also found the music that was in his heart. By the time he returned to Nine Miles, he knew he would be a singer.

Eloquently told by Cedella Marley and Gerald Hausman, "The Boy From Nine Miles" is illustrated by Mariah Fox in the folk art style of Jamaica. Complete with additional biographical material, a discography, Jamaican glossary, and a brief time-line, "The Boy From Nine Miles" is a wonderful introduction to Bob Marley that readers of all ages will cherish and enjoy.

From The Ruminiator Review "Much of this intriguing biography describes Marley's early life in such fateful terms--as though he was born to become an influential musician and beacon for the Jamaican people. Cedella Marley, the revered performer's daughter, and Gerald Hausman so successfully capture a child's point of view, however, that The Boy From Nine Miles comes alive beneath its mythic cast. Rich, rhythmic language, rife with biblical imagery, conjures the young Nesta's idyllic farm life with his beloved Mumma and Grandfather..." Christine Alfano

HOW CHIPMUNK GOT TINY FEET: Native American Animal Origin Stories, Collected and Retold by Gerald Hausman, illustrated by Ashley Wolff, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 41 pages.Published by Irie Books. (Fall 2007)
"Hausman's retelling...is a stand-out in an increasingly crowded genre."--Publisher's Weekly.
 The lovely pictures by Ashley Wolff received a citation from the Society of American Illustrators. 

THE STORY OF BLUE ELK by Gerald Hausman illustrated by Kristina Rodanas, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Clarion Books; Library Binding edition (April 20, 1998) ISBN-10: 0395845122 ISBN-13: 978-0395845127  

This is the story of a speech impaired child, whose spiritual brother is an elk. An uplifting story of faith retold by the author from oral tales told to him by two well-known Pueblo artists, Larry Littlebird and Robert Mirabal.
Editorial Reviews
"A wonderful story with magnificent artwork."  Book Review Forum, Library Media Services, Columbus, Ohio

"Hausman deftly weaves together several versions of this tale...with beautiful vivid language, he conveys the interconnectedness between Native Americans and the natural world and the gifts each gives.  Rodanas's realistic paintings done in oil based colored pencil on watercolor wash show respect for the individuals and the setting.  A lyrical tale from a gifted and experienced storyteller."  Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library, School Library Journal

Horses of Myth by Gerald Hausman, Loretta Hausman, Robert Florczak (Illustrator) Reading level: All Ages Hardcover: 96 pages Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st ed edition (October 20, 2005)
ISBN: 0525469648  

The five stories in this handsome book pay homage to the noble animal that has carried humans through history. In lively tales that vary in tone to reflect different cultures, the Hausmans introduce the brave Arabian, the hardy American mustang, a magic humpbacked horse from Russia, a ghostchasing horse from Tahiti, and the heroic Karabair of ancient Armenia. Robert Florczak also uses a variety of styles to capture each country and breed in his arresting paintings.Together, authors and artist have created a distinguished, highly entertaining tribute to those racers and jumpers, warriors and carriers, healers and stealers of the human heart.

Editorial Reviews
"The Hausmans follow up Cats of Myth with a briefer but similarly world-spanning set of horse stories, each one retold in an idiom evocative of its origins and backed up by closing comments about featured breeds and source notes...Matching style to setting, Florczak gives his full-page and full-spread paintings distinctive looks for each engaging tale." - John Peters, Booklist

"These five tales each feature a different type of horse, remarkable for both its individuality and the qualities representative of its breed. In each case, the animal plays an important–or even life-changing–role in the existence of its human owner (or, perhaps better, partner)... Florczak's illustrations adapt characteristics appropriate to the locations and time periods of each selection's origins: from the stylized, almost lacquered look of the tales from Asia to the rich tropics suggestive of Gauguin to the comical cowboy in The Mustang. The Hausmans include afterwords and acknowledgments, giving more information about the backgrounds of the stories and their approach to writing them. This is an attractive volume, useful to teachers and librarians for read-alouds and of interest to horse-loving youngsters." - Coop Renner, School Library Journal

A Mind with Wings: The Story of Henry David Thoreau by Gerald Hausman, Loretta Hausman Reading level: All Ages  Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Trumpeter (April 11, 2006)
ISBN: 1590302281
It's July 4, 1845. A soft-spoken young man named Henry David Thoreau has carefully constructed a small, simple cabin in the woods overlooking Walden Pond. For the next two years, his closest companions will be the chickadees, the woodchucks, and the quiet pines of the Walden Woods.
Henry is twenty-eight years old, and his life has not been easy. His brother John—his closest friend and companion—has died. The only woman he ever loved has rejected him. On this day he has come to Walden in search of truth—not the truth taught in schools or in church, but the truth he can feel dwelling deep within him.
Henry opens his journal and begins to write:

Follow Henry into the woods and out again—through a courageous American life that has changed our world for the better.

Chosen as a Best Book for the Teenage in 2007 by the New York Public Library
and it is also a National Social Studies Council/Children's Book Council Best Book 2007

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist The Hausmans introduce the life of Henry David Thoreau in a series of short, anecdotal chapters, each centered on one, often small event in the writer's life. The authors frequently use dialogue in their accounts; however, as they explain in their introduction, the "dialogue is crafted out of Henry's own statements." Overall, their approach helps to paint a vivid portrait of Thoreau and his quirky, highly original mind, .... Todd Morning Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved

Napoleon & Josephine: The Sword and the Hummingbird by Gerald & Loretta Hausman Reading level: Young Adult Edition: Hardcover Hardcover: 251 pages ; Publisher: Orchard; (September 1, 2004)
ISBN: 0439568900  

Josephine grows up on the tropical island of Martinique longing for a glorious life in Paris, where she is destined to be "...more than a queen". An arranged marriage to a French nobleman brings her to the city of lights, but not to the lifestyle she imagined. After the death of her husband during the French Revolution, Josephine's fate leads her to the curious general Napoleon Bonaparte. The two embark on a tumultuous relationship filled with love, grief, sorrow and the most unpredictable circumstances. Married to Napoleon, Josephine achieves her destiny of being more than a queen. As Empress of France she has as much influence over her adopted nation as does her husband. This dramatic novel explores one of history's most famous romances while describing the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era.

Napoleon & Josephine will soon appear in a French language edition  published by Flammarion

Editorial Reviews
"This bittersweet tale of love, loss, and imperial conquest is presented in an artful way by the Hausmans...will appeal to younger readers who have an eye for romance" - Children's Literature

"A classic love story wherein both parties rise beyond their simple beginnings to become 'more than' a king or a queen, this work of historical fiction will enchant those teen readers who thrive on tales of royalty or on Cinderella stories" - Voya

Duppy Talk : West Indian Tales of Mystery and Magic by Gerald Hausman Reading level: Ages 9-12  Paperback - 102 pages (November 11, 1999) Irie Books;
ISBN: 0970911203   

Book Description
Beautifully written tales of spirits,ghosts,sorcerers, mermaids and serpents set on the island of Jamaica where the folklorist and author lived and worked as a teacher.

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist   ...."The stories will be easy to booktalk and should have wide appeal across age and gender lines."

From Horn Book  Witch doctors, mermaids, Anansi, and various ghosts are the focus of six fascinating stories collected in Jamaica that blend contemporary Jamaican culture with timeless figures of African tribal storytelling. Each tale is followed by a lengthy note that expounds on the story's history, and a final section explains the African proverbs that accompany the tales. -- Copyright 1995 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

James Berry, author of Ajeemah and His Son
"I remember after hearing similar ones as children nothing would have persuaded any of us to go to bed alone."

The author, Six tales built on legends of Africa and the Caribbean.
School Library Journal called this book "...one of the very few collections of West Indian folklore available for children." However, I have discovered that adults enjoy the book as much as young people do; for everyone likes a good ghost story, and these are told by different narrators whom I knew on the north coast of Jamaica. Each one tells the tale as he or she first heard it as a child. These storytellers are credited and quoted at the back of each tale. Jamaican author James Berry called the book a collection of "incredible happenings" which reminded him of his own youth.

Doctor Moledinky's Castle : A Hometown Tale by Gerald Hausman Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback - 151 pages (November 11, 1999) Irie Books; 
ISBN: 0970911211   

Twelve-year old Andy and his best friend Pauly spend one remarkable summer exploring their town Berkeley Bend and delving into the secrets of its unusual inhabitants. Woven into the tale are weird glimpses of Doctor Moledinky, his castle, moat and strange animal museum.

The author , May 22, 1996 A novel of small town America in the 1950's.
Andy and his best friend, Pauly, live in the small town of Berkeley Bend, NJ, which is a surprising, mysterious place. It's a town of people who are, well, characters. And it's a town of secrets. Doctor Moledinky, the town's one real millionaire, lives in a castle with a moat...as Andy puts it, "We don't know exactly what's living in that thing, but you can bet it isn't guppies." The book is rich in humor, mystery, and magic. And as one reviewer has pointed out, it is reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine." This is a gothic mystery for children of all ages

   Doctor Moledinky's Castle was chosen for School Library Journal's "Sleepers: 100 Books Too Good To Miss"

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist "...the language is engaging, often poetic and frequently humorous..."
From Horn Book The eccentricity, lunacy, magic, and even malevolence that lurk beneath the surface of an idyllic small town during the 1950s are revealed in vignettes narrated by twelve-year-old Andy, who describes his friendship with Pauly and their encounters with the quirky townsfolk of Berkeley Bend, New Jersey. The memorable characters, out-of-sequence narrative, and cockeyed viewpoint make the book unusual and original. -- Copyright 1996 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Children's Literature "The stories are funny, mysterious and often surprising..."

TURTLE DREAM: Collected stories from Hopi, Navajo, Rio Grande Pueblo and Havasu People by Gerald Hausman, illustrated by Sid Hausman, Mariposa Publishing. Paperback - 128 pages (October 1989) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Mariposa Printing & Publishing Co; (September 1989)

ISBN-10: 0933553064 ISBN-13: 978-0933553064      Turtle Dream is a collection of stories for readers of all ages. Author Gerald Hausman experienced these adventures with his Native American friends in the Southwest. They are a true reflection of native customs, but more importantly, they reveal that startling moment when life causes us to surrender our conscious power, to discover the nature of who we really are.
Editorial Reviews

"... lyrical, quietly forceful pieces, that effectively portray their characters' links to both the physical and spiritual worlds."  -- Publisher's Weekly

GHOST WALK Native American Tales of the Spirit
by Gerald Hausman with illustrations by Sid Hausman,
Ages 12 and up,
Paperback: 127 pages Publisher: Irie Books; (October 15, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0970911238 ISBN-13: 978-0970911230    

The stories explore the realm of the supernatural as it complements and shadows everyday life. These are ghost stories in the nontraditional sense tales of the spirit of Native America. This is the second in the series (Turtle Dream is Book One) also sensitively drawn by Sid Hausman in a style that recaptures the authentic style of old western illustration. The book is an intriguing look at legend and real life, the stories featuring real people, most of them Native American friends of the author.

Tom Cringle : Battle on the High Seas by Gerald Hausman, Tad Hills (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 185 pages Publisher: Aladdin (October 19, 2006) ISBN-10: 0689828101 ISBN-13: 978-0689828102  

A Bank Street College of Education
Best Adventure Book, 2000

    I, Tom Cringle, two days before my thirteenth birthday, have made the decision of my life: to go to sea.
    Just two and a half weeks after Tom makes this bold declaration, he sets sail aboard the Bream as a midshipman in England's navy. The War of 1812 is raging, and Tom's ship is headed for Jamaica to patrol the waters against pirates.
    Tom finds all the adventure he ever dreamed of -- and then some. Within his first few months as a sailor, he's caught in a life-and-death battle with a mysterious ghost ship, is rescued from a shipwreck by his faithful dog, Sneezer, survives an earthquake, and is kidnapped by Obediah Glasgow, a fierce and dangerous pirate for whom Tom develops an unexpected loyalty.
    Tom Cringle: Battle on the High Seas is a fast-paced and gripping story of life on the high seas, of conflicting allegiances, and of finding friends where they are least expected. But most all, it is the tale of a boy who seeks a personal code of honor to guide him through unpredictable and perilous times. Tom's earnest, honest voice and the dynamic and memorable characters he meets make this an irresistible coming-of-age story that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews   June 15, 2000 Hausman (Doctorbird, 1998, etc.) bases his tale on two historical novels of the 1830s, one of which may have inspired the young Robert Louis Stevenson. Like Geraldine McCaughrean's Pirate's Son (1998), this grand mix of pulse-pounding action, vivid language, exotic locales, and colorful characters fits firmly in the tradition of Treasure Island.

Tom Cringle : The Pirate and the Patriot (Tom Cringle 2) by Gerald Hausman, Tad Hills (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover - 157 pages (Sept. 2001) Aladdin, Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 068982811X  

   A fourteen-year-old's heart-stopping sea adventure!
The war of 1812 is raging and fourteen-year-old Tom Cringle has just been made a lieutenant in the British navy. He's thrilled, but also worried that nobody -- especially hard, seasoned sailors -- will take a kid in charge seriously.
   There's not too much time to worry though, because suddenly Tom finds himself off the coast of Jamaica: chasing elusive slave ships, fighting man-eating sharks, and enduring brutal battles.
   Tom struggles with his conscience as he is ordered to travel across swampy wilderness to return a group of stolen slaves back to their master's plantation. Suddenly men are depending on Tom to save their very lives as they travel through uncharted territory with angry and vengeful pirates on their trail. And once again Tom tests his limits as he stands up for what he believes is right, even when authorities disagree with him.

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist   With a lighthearted tone and tongue-in-cheek bravado, Hausman clearly has fun with his readers, always making sure they're in on the jokes. His epistolary format and Treasure Island-like dialogue will appeal to young readers, as will Hills' rough-and-ready illustrations. Hausman doesn't hint at another Tom Cringle adventure, but he has certainly left room for the possibility. Roger Leslie Copyright American Library Assn. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal -  the lively plotting, picturesque language, and colorful setting make this an exciting tale. Patricia B. McGee, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information

The Mythology of Horses: Horse Legend and Lore Throughout the Ages by Gerald & Loretta Hausman, Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Three Rivers Press; (March 25, 2003)

ISBN-10: 060980846X ISBN-13: 978-0609808467

An extraordinary collection of myths and facts about horses, their honored place in human history, and the mystique that has surrounded them in cultures around the globe.

Horses have always held a mystical sway over the human imagination; no other creature has inspired the same reverence or cross-cultural fascination. The Mythology of Horses offers a comprehensive look at horse breeds around the world, exploring their heritage, physical attributes, and place in human society, as well as the folklore, popular mythology, and true stories surrounding each breed.

In this evocative, one-of-a-kind reference, folklorists Gerald and Loretta Hausman present stories from breeders, Olympic equestrians, and cowboys, along with tales about famous horse owners from Buffalo Bill to Roy Rogers, Genghis Khan to Napoleon. Vividly capturing the aura that has surrounded horses throughout time, this collection will fascinate horse lovers of all kinds.

THE KEBRA NAGAST:  The Lost Bible of Rastafarian Wisdom and Faith from Ethiopia and Jamaica by Gerald Hausman. Hardcover - 288 pages (November 1997) St Martins Press (Trade);
ISBN: 0312167938    

Editorial Reviews
"...the melodic verses of the text, written in rustic awed tones and full of the lilt of roots reggae lyrics, take aim at true believers...inspirational, informational, melodious stuff." --Mike Tribby, Booklist

From Library Journal Folklorist and author Hausman has combined ten years of informal study in Jamaica, the 1922 version of "The Queen of Sheba and Her Only Son Menyelek" (translated by E.A. Wallis Budge), the Koran, the King James Bible, and the words of reggae great Bob Marley into a new version of the Kebra Negast ("the glory of the Kings"). This "lost bible," the core of Rastafarian wisdom and faith, has survived through oral tradition in many Caribbean nations, even though it has been banned because of its African glory themes. Hausman effectively puts the Kebra Negast into the words of the Rastafarian community, presenting the core?that "we must learn to live by the laws of compassion rather than judgment" through anecdotes from the author's travels in the Rasta community. A recommended introduction to the Kebra Negast. L. Kriz, West Des Moines Lib., Iowa Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

MEDITATIONS WITH ANIMALS: A Native American Bestiary by Gerald Hausman, Bear and Co. Paperback - 141 pages (July 1986) Publisher: Bear & Company (June 1, 1986)

ISBN-10: 0939680262 ISBN-13: 978-0939680269    

This first bestiary ever compiled from the Native American tradition brings forth sacred animal spirits and reminds us of our deep connection to Mother Earth. Powerful poems and meditations, legends and stories, show the helping and healing roles animals have played since the beginning.

Thomas Berry, from his introduction :

"In this collection of verse and story, we are brought into the primordial community of the universe, the Earth, and all living things."
Editorial Reviews
"Hausman's work work is spare and suggesting, evoking mood through images in the natural world...his work is influenced both in style and tone by Native American songs...strong, clear elemental poems..." --Publisher's Weekly

Meditations with the Navajo: Prayers, Songs, and Stories of Healing and Harmony
by Gerald Hausman (Author) Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Bear & Company; 2 edition (October 1, 2001)

ISBN-10: 1879181673 ISBN-13: 978-1879181670    

Editorial Reviews

Richard Erdoes, author of Lame Deer: Seeker of Visions and Crying for a Dream : "Meditations with the Navajo is a work refreshingly unlike many others dealing with Dine mythology. It is free of the anthropologist's specialized verbiage. It speaks to people."

"In his reverent, gentle workings of traditional themes, Gerald Hausman displays a deeper understanding of the natural world than most of the writers of our generation." 

THE SUN HORSE:  Native Visions of the New World by Gerald Hausman, Paperback - 142 pages (January 1995) Lotus Light Publications;
ISBN: 091495508X      
"...Hausman feels the flying horse manes and the lingering spirits which speak in those winds which touch the trees." Charles Dailey, The Institute of American Indian Arts

Currently Available Titles

THE MYTHOLOGY OF CATS: Feline Legend and Lore Through the Ages by Gerald and Loretta Hausman, St. Martin's Press. A collection of stories about a wide array of feline types, this volume covers over thirty different breeds. Beautifully illustrated by Mariah Fox Hausman and with a text which the authors gathered over three decades. Hardcover - 288 pages (August 1998) St Martins Press                     "...an entertaining compilation of legends from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Asia: folktales from medieval Europe; and literary references from modern poetry and fiction...More comprehensive than Robert De Larouche's The Secret Life of Cats..." --Library Journal

THE MYTHOLOGY OF DOGS: Canine Legend and Lore Through the Ages by Gerald and Loretta Hausman, St. Martin's Press. The first complete work of canine mythology since the 1930's ... This historical legacy covers over 65 different breeds.Paperback - 288 pages (February 1998) St. Martin's Press;  ISBN: 0312181396     Praise for The Mythology of Dogs "A wonderful dictionary of dogs..." -- Cleveland Amory,  "Recommended Reading" -- USA Today, "A wonderful guide to the whys and wherefores of dogs." -- The Boston Globe

TUNKASHILA: From the Birth of Turtle Island to the Blood of Wounded Knee by Gerald Hausman, illustrations by Sid Hausman, Mariah Fox and Bluejay DeGroat, St. Martin's Press. Paperback (December 1994)  ISBN: 0312113455     "An eloquent tribute to the first great storytellers of America."--The New York Times Book Review.

DOCTORBIRD: Three Jamaican Lookin' Up Tales by Gerald Hausman, illustrated by Ashley Wolff, Philomel Books. Three unique Jamaican folktales about the hummingbird whom the Arawak Indians called "the god bird" because of its power to heal. Each of these stories is about "looking up" when you're feeling "down." Reading level: Ages 4-8 School & Library Binding - 40 pages (May 1998) Philomel Books; ISBN: 039922744X

EAGLE BOY by Gerald Hausman, illustrated by Cara and Barry Moser, HarperCollins Publishers. Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 32 pages (September 1996) ISBN: 0060211008         "Hausman retells the story with simplicity and dignity...the background of each double page spread features subtle shades of glowing colors..." ALA Booklist.

Selected Backlist

Presentations
Gerald Hausman tells stories to children of all ages.  He visits schools of all kinds and does programs that cover a variety of topics from animal lore to Indian lore, and from ghosts to Great Danes.  He has done presentations to babies and to pre-schoolers and from all levels of grade school through graduate school.  The size of the audience is not important to him - he speaks from the heart to two people or two thousand.  He has done numerous talks on radio and television and on audio books where he creates the sound effects himself.  Mr. Hausman is  comfortable around the campfire or in a home setting.   If you are interested in having Gerald visit your school, conference or gathering write to him by email and he will write back to you.    His fee is $950 for two presentations; $200 more for a third presentation.   No travel expenses are charged if there is more than one day of presentations.

Contact

Gerald Hausman
12699 Cristi Way
Bokeelia FL 33922

Phone (239)283-2561

mailto:gerald@geraldhausman.com

Website http://www.geraldhausman.com

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