Three cousins—Rafael, Alegra and León—are dispatched to the market in Istanbul to buy some of the necessary foods for their family's upcoming Rosh HasThree cousins—Rafael, Alegra and León—are dispatched to the market in Istanbul to buy some of the necessary foods for their family's upcoming Rosh Hashanah celebration in this picture book celebration of Sephardic Jewish traditions. As they seek out the fish, leeks and pomegranates their Nona instructed them to obtain, they are followed by a growing group of cats, much to the discomfort of Alegra, who finds the creatures creepy. Their feline entourage comes in handy when the children confront a bully however, and soon the cousins are home again, celebrating the holiday with their family, and enjoying all of its symbolic and meaningful food...
Most of what I know about Rosh Hashanah and other Jewish traditions comes from the Ashkenazi, the Jewish diaspora of Europe, as opposed to either the Mizrahi, the Jewish diaspora in North Africa and the Middle East, or Sephardi, the Jewish diaspora created by the expulsion of Jews from Iberia, and their subsequent settlement in the Ottoman Empire. Given that this is so, I was delighted to discover A Turkish Rosh Hashanah, which follows a Sephardic Jewish family in Istanbul, at some point in the past, as they prepare for and then celebrate the new year. The story is told by American author Eran Basseri, and the accompanying illustrations are done by Turkish artist Zeynep Özatalay. I found the narrative engaging and the artwork appealing, but I think my favorite part of the book was the opportunity to learn about traditions previously unknown to me. The different foods the family consume, for instance, each have a symbolic meaning—the fish head signifies a desire to lead and have self-determination, the pomegranate the desire that one's good deeds for the year be as numerous as that fruit's seeds, and so on—and are all part of the Yehi Ratsones, the traditional seder held by Sephardic Jews on Rosh Hashanah. This would make an excellent book to share with Sephardic children, who will see their own traditions celebrated; with Ashkenazi children, who will see the customs of other Jewish communities centered; and with non-Jewish children, who can learn about the diversity within the Jewish community....more
Poor but happy, Marco the coal seller is liked by all in this retelling of a traditional Mizrahi Jewish folktale exploring appearance vs reality, showPoor but happy, Marco the coal seller is liked by all in this retelling of a traditional Mizrahi Jewish folktale exploring appearance vs reality, show vs substance. Invited to many celebrations, but always placed in a corner and served last because of his poor-looking coat, Marco nevertheless maintains his positive outlook, thanking God for the opportunity to turn scraps into blessings. When he is given a splendid coat by a grateful customer however, and wears this coat to the next celebration, he finds himself at the most prominent table, and served the finest foods. Cognizant of the fact that it is his coat being honored, rather than himself, Marco "feeds" his coat, before returning home to his family with a feast all can enjoy...
Originally published in Hebrew as תאכל מעיל, תאכל, this picture book from Israeli author/illustrator team Ronit Chacham and Shirley Waisman was published in English by the US-based PJ Library, a program which sends free children's books to Jewish families every month. I sought it out after enjoying Chacham's award-winning picture book, Five Wacky Witches, which left me with a desire to explore more of her work. I was not familiar with Waisman, before picking this up. In any case, I found Eat, Coat, Eat! to be an engaging folktale retelling, and think that it ably explores the saying from the rabbinic text Pirkei Avot ("Chapters of the Fathers"), “Don’t look at the outside of the container, but rather at what is in it.” Marco's character shines through in the story, revealing that it is the inner being that shows us the truth, rather than its outer appearance. The accompanying artwork from Waisman is a little too cartoon-like for my taste, but is nevertheless colorful and cute, with a sense of humor that is well-matched to the story. Recommended to anyone seeking Israeli children's books, or retellings of Israeli/Jewish folklore....more
A young girl named Annie and her Jewish family celebrate Hanukkah in their own unique way in this holiday picture book from mother and daughter co-autA young girl named Annie and her Jewish family celebrate Hanukkah in their own unique way in this holiday picture book from mother and daughter co-authors Susan Schnur and Anna Schnur-Fishman, and illustrator Alex Steele-Morgan. Walking in the woods near their home, the family is led by Anna through four stages, each involving a riddle. At Old Log the family are asked to consider the history of one of their ancestors (with hot potatoes provided); a meditation on the things that frighten us is held at Squeezy Cave, in honor of the darkness of the season; the potatoes themselves become the menorah at Billy Goat's Bridge; and at Turtle Rock, the family enjoy potatoes and snow cones. The book closes with a retelling of the traditional Hanukkah story...
Potatoes at Turtle Rock is strongly reminiscent of this author/illustrator team's earlier picture-book centered around a Jewish holiday, Tashlich at Turtle Rock, which explored the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, and the custom of tashlich. Here the focus is on Hanukkah, but the structure of the story—the four-stage observation of the holiday in the nearby woods—and the theme of religious practice in harmony with nature, are similar. Susan Schnur is a Reconstructionist rabbi, and the earlier book was apparently based upon her own family's Rosh Hashanah traditions, leading me to believe that this title is likewise based on their Hanukkah traditions. Although I didn't find this one quite as appealing as its predecessor, I did enjoy it, appreciating the theme of unconventional and deeply personal religious observances. The illustrations, done by British artist Alex Steele-Morgan, are as colorful and appealing as in the first book, and add to the enjoyment. Recommended to those looking for less traditional Hanukkah stories for young children....more
It's chaos at Latke's house over the course of the eight nights of Hanukkah in this new holiday board book for the youngest children. Bright colorful It's chaos at Latke's house over the course of the eight nights of Hanukkah in this new holiday board book for the youngest children. Bright colorful artwork is paired with a simple text describing how Latke lights the menorah the first night, how applesauce and sour cream get into an argument on the second, and how the spinning dreidels make themselves dizzy on the third. So it goes, until the eighth night, when the house is full of light...
After finding author/illustrator Alan Silberberg's 2018 Meet the Latkes unexpectedly delightful—humorous picture books can be hit or miss with me, but I found that one hilarious!—I was excited to discover that he had a new Hanukkah book out this year (2023). I read the digital edition, although I understand that the print copy is in board book format. I wasn't as impressed with this one, as I was with Meet the Latkes, but then, there's not really much of a story here, just a string of zany Hanukkah antics, building up to the eighth night of the holiday. That said, for the intended audience of infants and very young children, I think the bright colors and counting structure here will work just fine, and it is to them that I would recommend the book....more
Using the Yiddish folk song Hob Ikh Mir a Mantel ("I Had a Little Overcoat") as a starting point, author Jim Aylesworth and illustrator Barbara McClinUsing the Yiddish folk song Hob Ikh Mir a Mantel ("I Had a Little Overcoat") as a starting point, author Jim Aylesworth and illustrator Barbara McClintock tell the tale of a man—the narrator's grandfather—who made himself a handsome coat for his wedding. A tailor by trade, the man wore his coat out, at which point he transformed it into a sharp jacket. Repeating the process, with the jacket becoming a vest, the vest a tie, the tie a kitten's toy, and the kitten's toy a mouse's nest, the narrative follows the grandfather through the years, as he raises a daughter, cherishes a granddaughter, and adores a great-granddaughter. Eventually the coat became nothing—nothing but a story...
Having greatly enjoyed many of the other picture-books created by this author/illustrator team—The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Tale of Tricky Fox, etc.—I went into My Grandfather's Coat with pleased anticipation, and I was not disappointed. I found the story engaging, and appreciated the message about being frugal and remaking items in our possession, and the themes of hard work and family love. The accompanying artwork by McClintock, done in ink and watercolor, was lovely, although I don't know that I would say it was the best work she had done. There is another picture-book retelling of this song, Simms Taback's Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, which won the Caldecott Medal in 2000, that has a very different illustrative style. I enjoyed that telling as well, and think reading the two together would be an interesting exercise for young people on the idea that different authors and artists interpret the same source material differently. Recommended to fellow fans of this author and artist, as well as to those seeking picture-books with a Jewish cultural background....more
Tante Golda made the most wonderful latkes in all of Russia, as her neighbors could attest, and she always generously shared what she had with those wTante Golda made the most wonderful latkes in all of Russia, as her neighbors could attest, and she always generously shared what she had with those who came to her door. Then one terrible year, when a drought had decimated the crops, she found that she had only one potato left in her barrel—hardly enough to make latkes for her friends and neighbors, or to throw her annual Hanukkah party. Just when it seemed that the holiday would be ruined however, Tante Golda, who always believed that God would provide, was visited by a hungry beggar. Sharing her meager one potato with this stranger, she found that subsequently her store of potatoes began to increase, growing larger as each day of Hanukkah passed...
Published in 1994, The Miracle of the Potato Latkes: A Hanukkah Story appears to be author Malka Penn's only picture-book, although she also penned the time-slip children's novel, The Hanukkah Ghosts, as well as a collection of Jewish ghost stories. Illustrator Giora Carmi, on the other hand, has been more prolific in this form, and I am familiar with his artwork from other Hanukkah picture-books, such as The Chanukkah Guest and The Chanukkah Tree. I enjoyed Carmi's expressive artwork here and appreciated Penn's story of the latke miracle, which parallels the miracle of the Hanukkah story itself. In Tante Golda's case, she found that her one potato stretched to feed her village for an entire season, whereas in the Hanukkah story, the Maccabees found that oil sufficient to light the Temple's menorah for one night instead lasted eight. The theme of God providing, particularly in difficult times, feels entirely appropriate to the season, given the nature of the events that Hannukh celebrates. The inclusion of a recipe for latkes at the rear of the book was a nice additional touch—I always like picture-books that include recipes, even when I have no intention of using them. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for entertaining and meaningful Hanukkah stories....more
Author/illustrator Marilyn Hirsh takes the folkloric story of the wanderer who creates a delicious dish from seemingly nothing - tale type 1548 in theAuthor/illustrator Marilyn Hirsh takes the folkloric story of the wanderer who creates a delicious dish from seemingly nothing - tale type 1548 in the Aarne–Thompson–Uther folktale classification system, it is most commonly known through such tales as Stone Soup - and gives it an Eastern European Jewish shtetl setting in this picture-book for Hanukkah. When Samuel the peddler stops as a house on the first night of the holiday, he finds that the potato pancakes (latkes) have not yet been made, because Grandma Yetta and Grandma Sophie each insist that their recipe be used. Fortunately, Samuel knows what to do, stepping in with his claim that he can make the potato pancakes from a crust of bread...
I enjoyed Potato Pancakes All Around: A Hanukkah Tale, which is the second title I have picked up from Hirsch, following upon her The Rabbi and the Twenty-Nine Witches. Originally published in 1978, it is, like many of Hirsch's books, long out of print, and was discovered by me on my public library's Hanukkah display. The narrative is engaging, and full of humor—I particularly liked the two grandmas' outrage at Samuel's antics—while the artwork, done in ink with gold and brown tone washes meant to suggest sepia photographs, has a vintage charm. The inclusion of a recipe for potato pancakes, as well as a brief note about the history of Hanukkah at the rear of the book was a welcome addition. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for fun Hanukkah stories featuring appealingly old-fashioned settings and artwork....more
Author Sue Macy and illustrator Stacy Innerst tell the fascinating and inspiring true story of Aaron Lansky, the founder of the Massachusetts-based YiAuthor Sue Macy and illustrator Stacy Innerst tell the fascinating and inspiring true story of Aaron Lansky, the founder of the Massachusetts-based Yiddish Book Center, in this engaging picture-book biography. Having grown up on the story of his immigrant grandmother's lost suitcase, full of Yiddish books, Lansky decided to study the language in college, only to find that relevant books were hard to come by. When he discovered his rabbi about to bury a collection of Yiddish-language volumes, thinking them no longer of use, Lansky took the lot, and began to collect others. When his collection began to overtake both his own apartment and his parents' house, he founded the Yiddish Book Center in an old factory. This organization has gone on to collect over a million and a half Yiddish-language books, which they have digitized and made available to the public. They sponsor research and conduct education outreach, and have helped to spur a renewed interest in the Yiddish language over the last few decades.
The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come is the first title I have read from either Macy or Innerst, but I certainly hope to track down more from both. I found it both informative and engaging, and was moved by the story of Lansky's quest to find and preserve a unique linguistic and historic legacy. This is certainly a project I can get behind, both intellectually and emotionally. I also greatly enjoyed the expressive artwork accompanying the text, which was influenced by Marc Chagall's work, and which felt perfectly suited to the story. It was surprising to learn that Lansky had such trouble, when first trying to enlist support from Jewish organizations, given the importance of Yiddish for the Ashkenazi Jewish population of eastern Europe, from which so many American Jews come. Thankfully, his efforts were recognized with a MacArthur Grant, which no doubt led to other recognitions, and furthered the work. Less surprising to me was the fact that the Holocaust played a major role in the twentieth-century decline of the language. Apparently, around eight-five percent of the victims of that atrocity (around five million people) were Yiddish speakers, and the murder of so many, all at one time, had a devastating effect on the language. I say that this is less surprising, because one sees this pattern elsewhere in history, as, for instance, in the Great Famine in Ireland, during which a disproportionate number of the dead and emigrated were Irish speakers, leading to a sudden and drastic decline in the language.
I learned quite a bit from reading this one, from the larger story of Lansky and the founding of the Yiddish Book Center, to such smaller details as the Jewish tradition of burying books, rather than destroying them. This latter isn't explained in the book (a lost opportunity), but I was so struck by the fact that Lansky's rabbi intended to bury the Yiddish books in his possession, that I did a little cursory googling, and discovered that, within Jewish tradition, it is customary to bury old, worn-out prayer books, and other religious volumes, rather than to burn or otherwise destroy them. I'm not sure if this is considered obligatory for non-religious books as well - perhaps the rabbi just had very strong feelings about the books in his keeping? - but it is a fascinating cultural and religious custom. Which brings me to my only criticism of this book. Namely, that despite an extensive array of back matter - statements from Aaron Lansky, Sue Macy and Stacy Innerst; a glossary of Yiddish words; a page providing resources with more information; and a list of source notes - there was no general afterword to give more details, whether about the Yiddish language itself, or about the customs (such as book burying) mentioned but not commented upon in the text. This was a disappointment, and a real missed opportunity. A child who knows nothing of Yiddish, going in to this book, will learn little about it, other than that it was an eastern European Jewish language, one in decline in the mid-twentieth-century. The complex history of the language - the fact that it evolved from German, but is written using the Hebrew abjad, for instance - is nowhere explored, nor is there any discussion of how it has changed in recent decades. I understand that this is a picture-book, and aimed at younger children, so I wasn't expecting a linguistic dissertation, but the absence of any real history of the language felt rather odd, in a book about one man's crusade to save that language.
Leaving that critique aside - if half stars were available, I would subtract a half star because of it - this is an excellent book, one I would recommend to picture-book readers who enjoy biography, and to those interested in Jewish history and culture....more
Looking back from the distance of many years, Leah narrates this story of her girlhood in Flatbush, Queens, when she and her brother Harry would surreLooking back from the distance of many years, Leah narrates this story of her girlhood in Flatbush, Queens, when she and her brother Harry would surreptitiously refuse to eat any gefilte fish at Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Known for cooking the best gefilte fish in all of New York City, Leah and Harry's mother would always buy a live fish, a week before the holiday, in order to have the freshest ingredients when cooking. One Passover, the siblings become particularly attached to the carp in their bathtub, and try to save him. Foiled in their attempt by their father, who is kind but firm in the matter of returning the carp, Leah and Harry are heartbroken, until they are finally given a tiny kitten, as their very first pet...
First published in 1972, The Carp in the Bathtub was the first of two stories about Leah and Harry Katz, followed by First Fast in 1987. That second story, which is set at Yom Kippur, was my introduction to these characters, and so moving and thought-provoking did I find it, that I determined to read this Passover tale, when the holiday next came around. Although less of a story about Passover itself, it was nevertheless an immensely engaging tale of family, and of the human-animal connection. So many little details stood out to me, from the way in which Papa changes his demeanor, when he sees the children waiting for him at the subway stop - he comes up the stairs stooped over with exhaustion, but immediately straightens himself up upon seeing Leah and Harry, so that they do not suspect how tired and beaten down he is - to the realistic way in which the story ends. I rather suspect that if this book were being written today, the parents would humor Leah and Harry, or they would find some way to rescue the carp. Here however, the realities of the day - this is a hard-working immigrant family in the early 20th century, with little money to spare, and a traditional view of certain animals being there to eat - drive the story. Leah's recollection, at the end of the book, that she and Harry never could bring themselves to eat gefilte fish, for the rest of their lives, provides a poignant conclusion to the tale, highlighting how formative of an experience it was, attempting to rescue that carp in the bathtub.
I found this one quite moving, and I appreciated the way in which it avoided moral judgment, or any effort to demonize Leah and Harry's parents. In addition to providing an engaging work of family fiction, it could be used with children to explore the realities of having loved ones either who do or do not eat animals. Although not divided into chapters, I would say it is on the beginning chapter-book level, suitable for readers ages seven to nine, and I would recommend it to children interested in family stories, or in historical fiction....more
Far from home as Passover approaches, Private J.A. Joel decides to organize a seder for himself and for the other twenty Jewish members of the 23rd OhFar from home as Passover approaches, Private J.A. Joel decides to organize a seder for himself and for the other twenty Jewish members of the 23rd Ohio Regiment, fighting for the Union during the American Civil War. Here, in the mountains of West Virginia, Joel and his friends, joined by three African-American soldiers, all former slaves, cobble together everything they need for the occasion, making do with what they have. Cider rather than wine, a symbolic brick rather than charoset - while their seder may not be traditional in some sense, it captures the spirit of Passover very well, connecting the ancient story of the Hebrews, and their flight out of Egypt, with the then contemporary struggle to end slavery in America. The book closes with an afterward about the real-life story behind the fictionalized retelling...
After recently reading and enjoying Elka Weber and John Winch's The Yankee at the Seder, another true story of a Passover seder during or immediately after the American Civil War, I decided to seek out Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder as well, in order to contrast and compare. This is a somewhat more advanced title, being quite textually dense for a picture-book, and tells an interesting story. The makeshift aspect of the seder celebration felt authentic - after all, Private Joel and his compatriots would have had a difficult time coming by everything they needed, on a mountaintop in West Virginia - and the comparisons between the story of Passover, and of the Exodus, on the one hand, and the fight against modern-day slavery on the other, felt quite appropriate. The drunkenness of the soldiers, after drinking a little too much cider, was unexpected in a children's book, but also amusing. I don't think this one was as well-written or as engaging as the Weber/Winch title, but it was certainly well worth reading. Recommended to more advanced picture-book readers looking for Passover and/or Civil War stories....more
The Civil War is over, and ten-year-old Jacob is disappointed at the fact that he no longer has the opportunity to become a Confederate general, and tThe Civil War is over, and ten-year-old Jacob is disappointed at the fact that he no longer has the opportunity to become a Confederate general, and to fight the Yankees. Then one day, right before Passover, a Yankee comes to his very door, asking to share a bite of his matzoh. Invited to the Josephson family's seder, Corporal Myer Levy of Philadelphia expands Jacob's worldview somewhat, through his very presence, and through his discussions of the meaning of Passover, with Jacob's father and grandfather. Although they disagree on many things, this Southern Jewish family and their Northern guest part amicably, and a year later, when times are hard, the Josephsons receive an unexpected gift...
The story in The Yankee at the Seder is a true one, retold by the real-life Corporal Levy to his family in Philadelphia, after he returned home from the Civil War. It highlights a number of interesting themes, from the idea that it is possible for co-religionists to have very different views of the world, and to approach the same issue - in this case, the cause of the American Civil War - from very different perspectives, to the notion that it is possible to put aside deeply-held differences, at least temporarily, in order to find common ground. Elka Weber's story here is engaging and well-told, and her afterword, which includes photographs of Levy and of his sword, provides more background information. The accompanying artwork from Adam Gustavson, done in oil paint, is likewise appealing, and ably captures the tension at the seder table, as the discussion turns to Passover, and the questions of tyrannical governments and slavery. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for historical stories, either set at Passover, or concerning the American Civil War....more
British children's author Jenny Koralek retells the biblical story of Esther in this picture-book, illustrated by Grizelda Holderness. Chosen by the PBritish children's author Jenny Koralek retells the biblical story of Esther in this picture-book, illustrated by Grizelda Holderness. Chosen by the Persian King Ahasuerus as his new bride, Esther hides her Jewish identity at the behest of her cousin and guardian Mordicai. But when her people are threatened with annihilation by the machinations of the evil Haman, she must gather her courage and reveal who she is to her husband...
Queen Esther (published in the United States as The Story of Queen Esther), is the sixth picture-book retelling of the Esther story I have read, following upon the versions produced by Katy Keck Arnsteen, Eric A. Kimmel, Tomie dePaola, Mordicai Gerstein and Miriam Chaikin. It is the second title I have read from Koralek, whose The Cobweb Curtain: A Christmas Story I found rather wanting. Happily, I enjoyed this one more than that other Koralek story, although I was surprised to see that the episode in which Ahasuerus rejects his first wife, Vashti, was not included here. This struck me as an unusual choice, as it is this background - the dismissal of the first wife - that makes the royal court to which Esther comes far more intimidating. I was also a little surprised at the scene in which Esther faints, when she first approaches the king uninvited, as I don't recall this incident in any other telling I have encountered. Leaving those details aside, this was an engaging enough telling, and the accompanying artwork from Holderness had a lovely folk-art feeling to it. I particularly liked her use of stars in Esther's hair, as the name Esther means star in Persian (Hadassah was Esther's Hebrew name). All in all, although not a personal favorite, this is one I would recommend to picture-book readers looking for engaging retellings of the Esther story.
Addendum: On a complete side-note, one which has no relevance to this book, I was tickled pink recently to discover that Jenny Koralek's husband, Paul Koralek, was the architect who designed the Berkeley Library at Trinity College Dublin, where I got my masters. Although not a personal favorite, when it comes to architectural aesthetics (I'm no fan of the Brutalist style), I spent many happy hours in that building. An interesting and unexpected connection for me, as a reader!...more
Goldie is excited to play the role of Queen Esther in her synagogue's Purim play in this charming picture-book from author/illustrator Jane Breskin ZaGoldie is excited to play the role of Queen Esther in her synagogue's Purim play in this charming picture-book from author/illustrator Jane Breskin Zalben, but when the moment comes for her to perform, she is struck by stage fright. Fortunately, she remembers that Queen Esther too must have been afraid, and she finds the fortitude she needs to continue...
One of a number of picture-books from Zalben to feature this extended family of bears celebrating the Jewish holidays - others include Happy New Year, Beni, Leo & Blossom's Sukkah and Happy Passover, Rosie - Goldie's Purim pairs an engaging story with cute illustrations. While the cultural and religious background here are Jewish, the central dilemma of the story - getting stage fright - is one with which children of all backgrounds will be able to identify. The back matter includes a discussion of the Purimspiel (Purim play), and a recipe for the Purim treat, Hamantaschen. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for cute Purim tales....more
Picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Jill Weber join forces in this retelling of the biblical story of Esther and how she saved her peopPicture-book author Eric A. Kimmel and illustrator Jill Weber join forces in this retelling of the biblical story of Esther and how she saved her people from destruction. Chosen by the Persian King Ahasuerus as his queen, Esther remained loyal to her Jewish faith, and to her Uncle Mordicai, interceding with the king when the evil Haman plotted to have all of the Hebrews in the empire killed...
The Story of Esther: A Purim Tale is the second book I have read that is written by Kimmel and illustrated by Weber, following upon their Even Higher!: A Rosh Hashanah Story. In addition, it is the fourth picture-book retelling of the Esther story I have read, after titles like Queen Esther (Tomie dePaola), Esther (Miriam Chaikin and Vera Rosenberry) and Queen Esther the Morning Star (Mordicai Gerstein). I found it pleasant enough, and thought it paired an engaging retelling with colorful, eye-catching artwork. That said, it didn't particularly "wow" me, and I found myself comparing the visuals here to the far more restrained black-and-white artwork in Esther, or the subtler, stylized work in Queen Esther, and came to the conclusion that this retelling is a little too garish for my taste. I have enjoyed Weber's artwork elsewhere, so I think the issue for me here was the color palette. Others may feel differently of course, given the subjective nature of aesthetic sensibility, so I would still recommend this one to picture-book readers looking for retellings of the Esther story....more
Celebrated picture-book author/illustrator Tomie dePaola turns to the Biblical story of Esther in this lovely little picture-book. Simple text is pairCelebrated picture-book author/illustrator Tomie dePaola turns to the Biblical story of Esther in this lovely little picture-book. Simple text is paired with dePaola's trademark illustrations, as the narrative follows Esther as she is chosen as the Persian King Ahasuerus' new queen. Secretly Jewish, Esther must take her courage in her hands when her people are threatened by the machinations of the evil Haman, one of her husband's advisors...
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates the bravery of Esther and the defeat of Haman, is around the corner, and I have been looking for new (or new to me) children's books to read in honor of the occasion. I have read two other picture-book retellings of the Esther story - Mordicai Gerstein's Queen Esther the Morning Star and Miriam Chaikin's Esther - but was curious to see what dePaola would do with it. On the whole I enjoyed Queen Esther, finding the narrative engaging and the artwork lovely. There were elements of the story that were simplified - Haman starts hating Jews because he hates Mordicai, for instance, rather than him having a preexisting grudge, due to the conflicts between the Hebrews and his own people, the Amalekites - but no doubt this was done to make the tale more readable for younger children. Although I think I prefer the Chaikin retelling to this one, I do recommend this to picture-book readers looking for retellings of the Esther tale, particularly if they are fans of Tomie dePaola's artwork....more
Prolific picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel presents an engaging collection of stories, poems, songs, crafts and recipes for Hanukkah in this anthologProlific picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel presents an engaging collection of stories, poems, songs, crafts and recipes for Hanukkah in this anthology. Many of the selections are written by Kimmel himself, from the story of the Maccabees and their revolt against the Greeks, with the subsequent miracle that inspired the celebration of Hanukkah, to the discussion of the first menorah in the White House, and the rules for lighting the Hanukkah lights. Other contributions include a number of Hanukkah songs, with music by Debbie Friedman; a Hanukkah Haiku by Erica Silverman, author of such picture-book classics as Big Pumpkin; two holiday poems by J. Patrick Lewis; and short stories by Howard Schwartz, Penninah Schram and Barbara Diamond Goldin. Also included are a poem by the prolific Jane Yolen, Barbara Brown's Hanukkah in Alaska (also available as a picture-book), and recipes from Judi Lutsky...
I enjoyed A Hanukkah Treasury quite a bit, and think it would make a wonderfully interactive title to use in a child's celebration of the Festival of Lights. The history and significance of the holiday are explored, as are various celebrations of it in different times and places, and a number of activities, from crafts to cooking recipes, are included. I myself learned some new things here, from the fact that the candelabra used at Hanukkah is not, technically speaking, a menorah, but a Hanukkiah - a menorah has seven candleholders, whereas a Hanukkiah has nine - to the existence of Zachary Oxman's gorgeous sculpted bronze menorah, included in a White House exhibit of fine American craftsmanship. All in all, this was an engaging, informative collection. The accompanying artwork from Emily Lisker, whose acrylic illustrations I have encountered before, in such titles as Please, Malese!: A Trickster Tale from Haiti, was colorful and fun, in a folksy style, and added to the reading enjoyment. Recommend to any readers looking for an entertaining Hanukkah companion for children....more
Prolific picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel joins forces with celebrated artist Leonard Everett Fisher in this collection of Hanukkah stories, with twProlific picture-book author Eric A. Kimmel joins forces with celebrated artist Leonard Everett Fisher in this collection of Hanukkah stories, with two tales - a short, introductory "shammes" story and a longer, main selection - for each of the eight nights of the holiday. This format is meant to parallel the lighting of the candles each night on the Hanukkah menorah, with each main story representing one of the candles, and the "shammes" story representing the shammes candle, used to light the others. Selections include:
Ibn Ezra and the Archbishop, a story about a famous medieval rabbi and scholar who finds himself a slave of the Archbishop of Canterbury after his ship is attacked by pirates, and he is taken captive. Through his wisdom, Ibn Ezra saves the archbishop and the people of England. The shammes story here is a variant of the Rumi poem about the Chinese and Greek artists, as Ibn Ezra creates a "mural" that is really a mirror, to reflect and augment the beauty of the other murals in the same room.
The Kabil's Donkey relates a story of the Jews of Yemen, and of a threat to them when a local official attempts to force the conversion of Jewish orphans to Islam. Through the cleverness of Mar Saadiyah, a teacher at the orphanage, this plan was foiled. The shammes story here is a brief tale of two thieves, one of whom convinces their victim that he (the thief) is actually the victim's donkey.
Leviathan and the Fox, in which a cunning vulpine character outwits the dark angel sent by the lord to throw him, together with one of every other kind of animal, into the sea, in order to assuage Leviathan's envy of Behemoth's supposedly superior creatures. The shammes story here involves the use of a parable about a fox and some fish, to explore the centrality of Torah study to the Jewish life.
The Wonderful Shamir, in which King Solomon enlists the aid of brave Benayahu ben Yehoyada in tracking down the magical shamir - a tool of great power - needed to build God's temple in Jerusalem. This quest involves confronting Ashmodai, the king of demons, as well as a giant bird said to live in northern seas. The shammes story here concerns an exchange between Solomon and Ashmodai, in which the latter produces one of the two-headed descendants of Cain.
Did the Rabbi Have a Head?, in which the rabbi of Chelm goes missing, and the citizens of that town of fools begins to wonder whether he ever had a head, after finding a corpse without that appendage. The shammes story here is a brief anecdote about the 'wisdom' of the men of Chelm.
The Caliph and the Cobbler, in which a caliph who enjoys dressing as a common man and mixing with his subjects tests a humble cobbler's faith in God, eventually finding him true to his beliefs, despite all trials. The shammes story here concerns a famous rabbi from Dubno, and his coachman Ivan.
When Hershel Eats features folk hero Hershel of Ostropol, who outwits a malicious miser in the habit of inviting poor beggars to his house for a meal, only to find ways to prevent them from eating. The shammes story here involves Hershel's actions in apprehending some bank robbers.
The Spotted Pony, in which a man helps a dying fiddler, but forgets to honor his last wish, leading the spirit of the fiddler to return in the form of a pony, in order to work off his 'debt.' The shammes story here concerns two humble and holy rabbis, who refuse the hospitality of a man who had always scorned them previously.
I enjoyed The Spotted Pony: A Collection of Hanukkah Stories immensely, finding many of the stories familiar, either as tales in their own right, or because I was familiar with the central characters, from the townspeople of Chelm to Hershel of Ostropol. As a fox lover, I particularly enjoyed Leviathan and the Fox, and found myself wishing that Kimmel had included his sources. This wish was constant throughout my read, as it happens, and is my main criticism of the book. I found the story of Ibn Ezra fascinating, and given that he was a historical figure, found myself wondering how much of the tale was based in fact. Given the strong similarity between the first shammes story and the Rumi piece on Chinese and Greek artists, I wondered which came first. This was an enjoyable collection, and is one I would recommend to folklore lovers - although billed as a Hanukkah collection, most stories don't directly address that holiday - but it would have been greatly improved by a detailed author's note....more
When he smells the delicious odor of latkes frying, a formerly hibernating bear heads to the home of Bubba Brayna, an elderly woman whose near blindneWhen he smells the delicious odor of latkes frying, a formerly hibernating bear heads to the home of Bubba Brayna, an elderly woman whose near blindness and deafness lead her to believe that her ursine visitor is actually the village rabbi come to call. The pair enjoy a visit, complete with feasting and games, before the bear heads back to his cave. When Bubba Brayna discovers her mistake, she is not displeased, happy to think the bear had a happy Hannukah as she sets out to make more latkes for the real rabbi and her other guests...
Published in 2013, Hanukkah Bear is a story that first saw print in 1988 in the pages of Cricket Magazine, before being published as a picture-book in 1990, under the title The Chanukkah Guest. According to the brief note on the colophon, this is a slightly revised version of that earlier tale, which was illustrated by Giora Carmi, and is paired in this new incarnation with the artwork of Mike Wohnoutka. The story itself is humorous and heartwarming, while the accompanying artwork is colorful and cute. Comparing the two picture-books, I find the Carmi illustrations a bit more appealing, but these still have charm. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for fun Hanukkah stories....more
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