When the powerful king of Persia, Ahasuerus, decides to take a wife, he chooses the beautiful Esther. Esther hides her Jewish identity on the advice of her cousin, Mordecai, who claims that many in the palace “hate Jews because we were once their enemies.” The villainous Haman, Grand Vizier to the King, is angered by Mordecai, who refuses to bow before anyone but God. Haman’s revenge is to convince the King to order all Jews killed. Esther then bravely intervenes, risking her own demise, to save her people. The classic biblical story, commemorated each year with the Jewish holiday of Purim and the reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther), is told with lucid intrigue, painting a picture of an evil rogue outwitted by the wisdom and courage of a loving Queen. Multiple scenes across full-page spreads, done in deep pastel colors of blues, purples and reds, portray an assortment of tall, handsome characters with lean, pointy-chinned faces, long, flowing hair and dark skin. A well-composed and aesthetic interpretation for the younger set. (Picture book/religion. 3-5)
