At the gates of the Buddhist temple, Mai sees a cage full of sparrows for sale. Without the money to buy and release them, she offers to feed them. Thu, another little girl, helps and takes heed of Mai’s whispered “Fly, free, fly free, / in the sky so blue. / When you do a good deed, / it will come back to you.” Thu later gives her beautiful red slippers to another little girl with a cut foot. The “wheel of kindness” continues to turn, with various characters doing something good for someone else until a father, grateful that his son has recovered from illness, approaches the temple to pray, sees and purchases the cage and, to Mai’s joy, sets the sparrows free. Buddhist tradition and belief in reincarnation reflects the idea that one’s actions, good or bad, affect one’s rebirth. The smoothly written circular narrative with its reverent message is authenticated by Neilan’s muted watercolors, which are rendered on light tan board and softly depict a Vietnamese countryside peopled by folk wearing conical hats and traditional dress. (Picture book/religion. 4-7)
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59078-550-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2009
This lovely story of tradition and family security has moments both gentle and funny, and a recipe for the main dish. Yussel loves Shabbos. On that day of peace, his parents don’t work and they all visit with friends and relatives or go to the park. Yussel’s favorite part is the meal of special round balls of gefilte fish. Every week, Papa rises early to catch the strange fish, and every week, Yussel yearns to go with him. One morning, Yussel’s wish comes true. Through a tender day at the lake with Papa, Yussel learns exactly what a gefilte fish is. His trip and his ultimate contributions to the family ritual are enhanced by Krenina’s fanciful illustrations; these evoke both the excitement of landing the fish and the warm gathering of family that night at sunset. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-525-45449-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
Schoenherr uses the original setting for the renowned song’s first appearance in this format, capturing its wistful tone with light-drenched scenes that basically reproduce the sets for Fiddler on the Roof, and people in shtetl garb who sometimes resemble the play’s cast members. The lyric is voiced by an adult, and though children won’t find the theme of time’s too-quick passage particularly meaningful, they’ll have no trouble following the two young lovers through courtship and wedding to a final tableau with a child of their own—and will likely join their parents or librarians in singing the lines. So despite the less than venturesome setting, this makes a good choice for intergenerational sharing. Musical arrangement at the end. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-06-051525-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2005
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