forwordsbooks » Reviews

Gershon’s Monster

Kathy B. — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:31:27 +0000

Illustrated by John J. Muth

For the most part, we try to be on our best behavior throughout the year. We remember to say please and thank you. We speak kindly of and to others. We tell the truth. Of course, everyone makes an occasional mistake, and when we do we normally ask forgiveness of those we hurt. We make amends.

And then there is Gershon. Gershon also makes mistakes, but rather than repair them, he sweeps them into his basement. Then, once a year, at Rosh Hashanah time, he sweeps them into a big bag and dumps them into the ocean near his home. He does not seek forgiveness from God or those he has hurt. He just piles up his “selfish and thoughtless deeds” like so much rubbish and tosses them away, assuming them taken care of. Oh, if it were only so easy.

When Gershon seeks the help of a wise rabbi in order to have a family, the rabbi reminds him of his bad deeds. While the rabbi grants him his wish to have children, he also tells Gershon that in five years he will pay a terrible price for this request. As predicted, a terrible monster arises from the sea, a monster comprised entirely of Gershon’s wrongdoings, and attempts to swallow his children. Terrifying? Yes. Life changing? Certainly, and in Eric Kimmel’s inimitable style, Gershon, his children and all the generations to come learn a very important lesson.

John Muth’s extraordinary watercolor illustrations absolutely consume the reader with emotion, from Gershon’s apathy to the rabbi’s despair and finally Gershon’s terror. This is a powerful book for the High Holidays, one that will move the entire family.

Grade Range: 1^st – 4th Grades

Ages 6-10 years

©2011 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
Books used in this review were from my personal library.
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Sukkot Treasure Hunt

Kathy B. — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:28:34 +0000

Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern

How much fun would it be to take the children on a hike and look for and pick the willow, myrtle and palm branch for your very own lulav? What would it be like to pick bay leaves for your soup pot, grapes or dates for your lunch or pomegranates for dessert while you are walking around on your hike? Can you imagine having an etrog tree in your front yard? Of course, all of this is possible in Israel (and probably parts of California!) This charming book follows a family as they search for “the four species” in the hills around Tzefat in Israel

The story is well-written, engaging and age appropriate. The photographs are beautiful and draw the reader into the hunt. Overall, this is a nice addition to the Sukkot collection for young readers.

Grade Level: Pre-K – 3^rd Grade

Ages: 3-8

©2011 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
Books used in this review were provided by the publisher.
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a book title referred to on my web site and purchase it from Amazon,

I may receive a very small commission on your purchase.

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I appreciate your support.

Greater than Gold and Silver

Kathy B. — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:25:49 +0000

Adapted and Illustrated by Chedvah Rubin

This beautiful story reveals, the true meaning, and consequences, of performing a mitvah with real intention or kavanah. Reb Itzik is a poor peddler who loves Sukkot and above all observing the mitvah of having a perfect etrog during the holiday. When one year he buys an etrog “on lay-away” and ends up being the sole owner of an etrog in the region, his love of this mitvah is put to the test. He passes with great rewards.

The writing is fixating, emotional and inspiring. The artwork, which looks to be pen and ink with watercolor paint, is exquisitely detailed, warm and welcoming. The book invites you into itself to listen to its words of wisdom.

While this book is published by an Orthodox publishing house, and therefore some of the language may sound a bit different to those unfamiliar with Ashkenazic pronunciation (i.e. mitzvos versus mitvah, esrog versus etrog), the idea and emotion of the story crosses all denominational boundaries. What is the price of performing a mitzvah with our whole heart?

Grade Range: 3rd-8th Grades

Ages 8-14 years

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Talia and the Rude Vegetables

Kathy B. — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:46:19 +0000

illustrated by Francesca Assirelli

Talia’s grandmother is making her family a stew to welcome in the New Year. She has asked Talia to go to the garden and “bring back seven root vegetables.” But Talia hears “rude” instead of “root” and wonders, how she will know if a vegetable has been rude?

As Talia digs up the vegetables – onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, potatoes, parsnips and rutabagas (is your mouth watering yet?) – she remembers times when her behavior has perhaps not been at its best and knows this is the time of year she needs to make some apologies to her family members. When Talia unearths a an “onery onion,” she puts that one in the pot, sending the perfectly round onion to the basket. She does the same for the “garish garlic,” “crooked carrot,” “terrible turnip,” well, you get the message. All the “rude” vegetables go to the pot for her family’s stew. The nice, perfect vegetables go in the basket, which Talia delivers to the rabbi to give to a family who may need it.

Talia’s mistake turns out fine in the end, for a vegetable is a vegetable after all. “Very sweet like you,” says her grandmother, because Talia had done a mitzvah by giving the extra basket of vegetables to the rabbi.

This is a charming book for younger children to convey the message of apologizing for our behavior (Teshuvah) at this solemn time of year. It also speaks about Tzedakah in a fun and interesting way.

The illustrations are soft, warm and lovely, while perfectly conveying the efforts Talia must exert to find the vegetables. There is a recipe for “Rude” Vegetable Stew in the back of the book that sounds delicious and may be a featured item on my family table this year

Grade Level: Pre-K – 2nd

Ages: 3-8

©2011 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
Books used in this review were provided by my local public library.
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a book title referred to on my web site and purchase it from Amazon,

I may receive a very small commission on your purchase.

You will incur no additional cost, however.

I appreciate your support.

Afikomen Mambo

Kathy B. — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:09:42 +0000

Illustrated by Linda Prater

Score: 3.5

Once again, Rabbi Joe Black allows one of his songs to come alive in the pages of a book (Boker Tov! Good Morning!) Just in time for Passover, our children will be dancing to a Latin rhythm as they get ready for the Seder and their search for the Afikomen. The lyrics are simple, with an easy rhyme. The illustrations are sweet and funny. The enclosed CD will have everyone up and on their feet, wiggling and jiggling in time to the music. Young children will ask to have this repeated until next Passover, so watch out.

A great gift for a family with young children should you be a guest at a Seder.

Grade Level: PreK-2nd

Ages: 3-7

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The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah

Kathy B. — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:07:37 +0000

Illustrated by Paul Meisel

Score: 4.0

This charming retelling of the classic Little Red Hen story, has Ms. Hen trying to prepare for her Passover Seder. First, she needs to make her matzah. Seeking help from her barnyard friends for the planting, harvesting, milling and baking of the matzah gets her no takers. No one has the energy or enthusiasm to assist. Of course, she had to prepare the dinner, set the table and get everything ready all by herself as well. However, when night falls, and it is time for the Seder, suddenly everyone needs a place at the table. Can Ms. Hen refuse? Of course not!

In the end, her friends let Ms. Hen sit and relax as they clean up everything. Now that is a fine group of menshes.

The ink, watercolor and pastel illustrations are delightful, bright, colorful and bold. Yiddish words are used throughout the book in fun and appropriate ways to add a perfect Jewish twist to an already wonderful new version of this story.

Ages: 4-9

Grade Level: PreK-3^rd

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The Queen Who Saved Her People

Kathy B. — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 22:13:03 +0000

Illustrated by Ilene Richard

The author who brought us the delightful, “Let My People Go!” has written a new Readers Theater style book based on the Purim story. For the very young, this is a perfect read-aloud version of the Book of Esther, told in rhyme with simple language and fun, brightly colored illustrations.

However, for those students who can read by themselves or even memorize words, this has the makings of a wonderful Purim Schpiel with rioles for a Narrator, King Ahashuerus, Queen Esther, Mordechai and Haman. Of course, there needs to be an audience to boo and hiss whenever Haman’s name is said.

There are sure to be lots of laughter in small groups or large if this book is part of the Purim festivities.

Grade Level: K – 4th

Ages: 5-10

©2011 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
The book used in this review was provided by the publisher.
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a book title referred to on my web site and purchase it from Amazon,

I may receive a very small commission on your purchase.

You will incur no additional cost, however.

I appreciate your support.

The Story of Esther: A Purim Tale

Kathy B. — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 22:08:29 +0000

Illustrated by Jill Weber

Writing a children’s version of the Book of Esther is no easy task, filled as the biblical story is with lewd, violent, secretive and ill-mannered behavior that is difficult enough for adults to interpret. Why were there “No restrictions” on the drinking during King Ahashuerus’ seven day party? How does one explain a eunuch to a first grader? What should be written, in an age of gender equality, to explain that as a result of Queen Vashti’s disregard of the King’s command a law was passed that “all wives will treat their husbands with respect, high and low alike.” And that is just Chapter One!

I am thrilled that none other than Eric Kimmel, storyteller extraordinaire, decided to tackle this dilemma, putting his time and talents to writing an Esther story for the younger set. I will say that my first reading of the book was troubling. There are story elements missing (i.e. one less dinner from Esther), a bit of revision here and there that I was uncomfortable with (i.e. Mordechai revealing the plot to kill the King to the King’s guards, rather than through Esther), and he even invokes the name of God in two places, when the whole point of the Esther story is that God’s name is nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, after rereading and considering the challenge of the overall story, it appears Mr. Kimmel, relying heavily on Midrash and other resources, did a good job creating a version of the Esther story that would be understandable and entertaining for young readers.

The acrylic, gouache, tempera, watercolor ink and pencil artwork is bright and colorful and clearly illustrates the text. My favorite illustration is of Esther simply combing her hair as she prepares to meet the King, while several other women are busy with their lipsticks and powders.

While this is not a book for the very youngest, children ages 9 – 13 will certainly enjoy the experience of reading it and perhaps using it for their own Megillah reading on Purim.

Grade Level: 4^th – 7th

Ages: 9-13

©2011 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
The books used in this review was provided by the publisher.
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a book title referred to on my web site and purchase it from Amazon,

I may receive a very small commission on your purchase.

You will incur no additional cost, however.

I appreciate your support.

The Underneath

Kathy B. — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:47:48 +0000

Illustrated by David Small

This is not a Jewish book, however it is such a powerful work of fiction filled with story, message and excellent writing that I just have to recommend it. Heroes and villains, humans and animals, fact and fantasy, life and death, past and present all come together as a small calico cat enters the swamps of Louisiana having been dumped there by a family she thought loved her. She soon finds a home in “The Underneath,” a dark hole literally underneath the porch of an evil man known only as Gar-Face due to his horrifically scarred appearance. She shares this space with Ranger, a hound chained there by Gar-Face, and her newborn kittens, Puck and Sabine. All should be fine as long as they keep themselves underneath the porch. Of course, where would be the story in that?

Remember the old adage “Curiosity killed the cat”? Well, start with that, add some snakes, a giant alligator, tragedy, thousands of birds, all the trees of the swamp, joy, Native Americans, anger, shape shifters, legends, love, revenge, promises, quests, hope, survival, surprise and now you have a story. Pick this book up, open it at any page, and you will read the most magnificent, well-crafted writing you will have read in a long time. You will not be able to stop reading, but stop you must, to go back to the beginning and start where the story starts: “There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road. A small calico cat…”

Yes, David Small did some drawings for this book. They are exquisite, but not necessary. I am afraid they will make the appropriate readers for this book think it is a book for readers younger than it really is. This is a serious book, for serious readers. It is a bit complex and there are a number of stories to follow. Try not to let the drawings interfere with that.

I highly recommend this book for the age group it is meant for and their parents.

Grade Level: 4^th-8th

Ages: 9-14

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Tashlich at Turtle Rock

Kathy B. — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:41:46 +0000

Illustrated by Alex Steele-Morgan

Families looking for a way to bring interesting Jewish ritual into their lives need look no further than this charming book. Annie and her family go on a hike as part of their Rosh Hashanah afternoon. During their hike, they make four stops. One to remember something good that happened to them during the past year, one to toss away a bad habit from the past year, one stop to make a promise to do something new in the coming year and the final stop to eat apples dipped in honey and recite a prayer together. An interesting and individual family Tashlich service.

The writing is uncomplicated, yet provides plenty to think about. Enough to enable anyone to adapt this family’s idea to something of their own. The illustrations are soft, rich, pastel-like in all the beautiful tones of a fall day in the park.

Grade Level: K-3rd

Ages: 5-9

©2010 Kathleen M. Bloomfield and forwordsbooks.com all rights reserved.
Books used in this review were provided by my local public library.
I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click on a book title referred to on my web site and purchase it from Amazon,

I may receive a very small commission on your purchase.

You will incur no additional cost, however.

I appreciate your support.