by Ann Redisch Stampler & illustrated by Jacqueline M. Cohen ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2006
In an original tale set in a village down the road from Chelm, a young man named Shlemazel, “without luck,” leads a lazy life indeed, for were he to do anything, surely he would meet some great misfortune. Moshke, the village tinker, presents him with the remarkable spoon of Pohost, which “finds luck.” Shlemazel proceeds to use the spoon to grow grain, grind it at the mill and bake challah with the lovely Chaya Massel. Now with a bride, a bakery business and a cow to boot, Shlemazel credits all his achievements to hard work, not luck. Stampler’s sweet tale of success will resonate with children; Cohen’s brightly hued watercolor illustrations depict a cheerful Eastern European village bustling with energy. An author’s note credits her mother as the inspiration for the story, and a glossary explains the Yiddish words. Author and illustrator previously collaborated on Something for Nothing (2003); here’s hoping they continue to work together. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: July 24, 2006
ISBN: 0-618-36959-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2006
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by Ann Redisch Stampler illustrated by Francesca Carabelli
by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Khoa Le ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 4, 2020
This biblical tale is filled with wonder, hope, and beauty.
Miriam is pivotal in the story of Moses and the Exodus.
A 7-year-old girl narrates the details of the day that she heeds “God’s voice,” places her baby brother in a basket, sets him adrift in the Nile River to save him from “Pharoah’s men,” and then watches as Pharoah’s daughter rescues him. That baby boy will grow up to be Moses, and his sister is the prophet Miriam. In her author’s note, Yolen explains that she has taken this story from Exodus and from the Midrash, tales that interpret the Torah. Miriam’s story is interwoven with miracles associated with water, ranging from that basket on the Nile to the parting of the Red Sea and the life-giving water flowing from a rock that sustains the Jews wandering in the desert, but there are relatively few children’s books that place her at their center. Many celebrants of the Passover Seder sing a song honoring Miriam and will welcome a book that celebrates her childhood. It is Le’s illustrations that truly shine, however. The vibrant blues and oranges reflect both calm and swirling waters dotted with a multitude of plant life. Elegant storks wade in the water as hippos and crocodiles swim nearby.
This biblical tale is filled with wonder, hope, and beauty. (Picture book/religion. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5415-4400-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Kathryn Brown
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by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund
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by Jane Yolen ; illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi
adapted by Kadir Nelson & illustrated by Kadir Nelson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005
Nelson uses the old spiritual—offered here, astonishingly, in its first singleton, illustrated edition, though it’s available in many collections—as a springboard to celebrate family togetherness. Each line of a four-verse version of the lyric captions an intimate scene of an African-American lad, three sibs (one, lighter-skinned, perhaps adopted) and two parents in various combinations, posing together in both city (San Francisco) and country settings, sharing “the moon and the stars,” “the wind and the clouds,” “the oceans and the seas,” and so on. Sandwiched between views of, more or less, the whole world, Nelson alternates finished paintings in his characteristic strong, bold style with authentically childlike crayon drawings done with his left hand—demonstrating a superb ability to evoke both grand and naïve effects. Moving, reverent, spiritual indeed. (musical arrangement to close) (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-0-8037-2850-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2005
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by Kwame Alexander ; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
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by Sarvinder Naberhaus ; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
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by Kadir Nelson ; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
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