Hoffman, author of the Amazing Grace and Stravaganza series, offers her third entry in her series of Bible story collections with this thematic exploration of the kings and queens of the Old Testament. This smoothly written collection includes short chapters on Moses (along with Pharaoh), King David, King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Queen Jezebel, King Belshazzar and Queen Esther. Each chapter contains two or three full pages of text along with several full-page, watercolor, ink and pencil illustrations in Balit’s striking style, which is heavily influenced by Egyptian art. Her pictures feature glowing highlights of gold and such imaginative touches as King Solomon’s bright red hair and beard accented with dots of turquoise. Hoffman makes her stories both interesting and understandable, and she skillfully handles some of the violent aspects without skirting the issues. A concluding page locates the stories within the books of the Old Testament. (Picture book/religion. 6-9)
