An interesting glimpse into a lesser-known holiday.
Three Israeli children tour sites in Jerusalem as they learn about the holy day Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of both the first and second temples.
Their tour leads them from the Mount of Olives to the Western Wall, which for years had been the only visible remnant of the Temple. But large-scale archaeological activity has uncovered many areas that have been buried for centuries. The children visit some of these sights with knowledgeable guides who provide insights into life in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, when the Roman army destroyed the Temple. They venture underneath the city through Muslim-built archways and passages that lead to the mosques now on the Temple Mount. They see baths, remnants of a marketplace, and a moat. They also visit another site, where they have a chance to sift through dirt from the Temple Mount excavation, looking for objects that had been buried there. Told directly and simply and illustrated entirely in photographs, readers follow the fair-skinned Jewish children on their journey of discovery. Although the boys wear their kippahs, they and their older girl cousin are dressed as casually as any other contemporary children. Oddly, the children are all named with the exception of the young boy narrator. Information about the holiday traditions and practices is woven seamlessly into the tale.
An interesting glimpse into a lesser-known holiday. (afterword) (Picture book/religion. 6-9)Pub Date: May 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4677-8930-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Simply spellbinding.
The elders say that humanity currently resides in the fifth tonatiuh, or sun. Here’s the story of how humans came to be.
The preceding four tonatiuhs bore witness to failed trials. First, the gods covered sacred bones with mud, but these giant humans proved too fragile, becoming mountains in the end. The second set of humans, smaller than the first, developed into fish. Under the third tonatiuh, the enraged gods turned the rebellious humans into monkeys. The fourth tonatiuh resulted in the latest, lazy humans assuming the form of birds. At this point, the gods conceded any hope of creating humans, all except for Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent. Taking along his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament, Feathered Serpent travels to Mictlán, the underworld, to retrieve the sacred bones from Mictlantecuhtli, the lord of the underworld. To reach where Mictlantecuhtli dwells, Feathered Serpent journeys through nine regions, each region a test of his bravery and perseverance. Accompanied by a dog spirit guide named Xólotl, Feathered Serpent succeeds in his journey. Full of warm landscapes bathed under the sun’s light, multicolored night skies set against stars, and cavernous walls of rugged browns, Tonatiuh’s artwork—familiar in form, electric in spirit—astonishes in this retelling of a Mesoamerican creation story. Told with succinct clarity and a hint of mischief, this rendition begs for rereads. Here’s a new high-water mark for the artist. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-22-inch double-page spreads reviewed at 77.1% of actual size.)
Simply spellbinding. (author’s note, glossary, select bibliography) (Picture book/cosmology. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4677-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
An uplifting poetic journey through the beginning of the Book of Genesis.
Sung brings the Creation story to life in a heartfelt work of narrative poetry for children.
The author writes that he “believes everyone should have the opportunity to hear about the bible, especially at a young age.” To that end, this book guides its audience through the first seven days of the world, according to the Book of Genesis. It straightforwardly recounts the familiar story of God’s formation of heaven and Earth from the darkness, and the division of night from day. It then explores God’s separation of heaven and Earth and land and sea on the second and third days, respectively. On the fourth day, he creates the sun, moon, and stars to illuminate the skies, and on the fifth day, he populates the skies and seas with creatures of his design. The sixth day brings forth land-based animals as well as man and woman, to whom God entrusts dominion and stewardship of Creation. On the final day, God deems his work complete, deeming the Sabbath holy and resting. The text is accompanied by page after page of colorful, exuberant crayon illustrations, reminiscent of children’s art. Sung uses poetry to provide a simple and inspiring retelling of the story of Creation. While adhering closely to biblical text, he blends a variety of rhyme schemes as well as free verse elements in a manner that will engage early readers. Clever verses, such as the slant rhyme “The word becomes tangible / God makes all sorts of wild animals,” use familiar language that most youngsters will be able to understand. The book draws upon biblical verses from the English Standard Version, King James Version, New International Version, and other editions, making it accessible for many Christian denominations, and interweaves these references seamlessly, emphasizing the continuity in the Gospel narratives. Overall, Sung offers an entertaining work that will ignite young imaginations while providing a solid introduction to one of the Bible’s most famous stories.
An uplifting poetic journey through the beginning of the Book of Genesis.Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-973690-39-9
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: April 22, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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