ZVUVI’S ISRAEL

Zvuvi the fly and cousin Zahava lead a tour of Israel’s sights and historical venues from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, from the coastal beaches of Netanya and Eilat through Haifa and the Galilee, north and south to Tiberias and the Dead Sea. Topaz’s joyfully rendered watercolor scenes accompany a chatty text with both tour guides leading the way. Readers are alerted to the wonders, beauty and history while also asked to search for the “tour flies” as they are hidden within the various scenes. This oversized format, with its many, layered views of the country, will serve as a good introduction for anyone planning a visit with children. The peculiar choice of the word “species” for a series of Israeli foods may lead kids to conclude that nothing else grows there, and Yad Vashem is oddly absent from the many sights. Still, Zvuvi and Zahava are likable guides, and the overall design and wealth of information make this a friendly introduction to the country. (map, glossary) (Informational picture book. 6-9)