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(3)
PS
In this series entry, human Kayla and dog Kugel bake hamantaschen, dress up as each other, and attend the megillah reading. Kayla’s explanations of the holiday, directed toward Kugel, are informative (if brief, especially about the Purim story) and interspersed with humorous asides. The community’s costumes are a highlight of the lively illustrations. An author’s note encourages discussion about Purim.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Cinzia Battistel.
It’s 1660, and young Yeshiva student Samuel is a part-time apprentice to famous painter Rembrandt. Rembrandt needs inspiration for a Purim scene, but finds none of the models as “courageous, faithful, and modest” as Queen Esther. Samuel recruits his sister, pleasing both his father and Rembrandt, who both newly see how the student’s faith and art can coalesce. Well-composed, inviting illustrations capture the period dress, decor, and architecture of seventeenth-century Amsterdam. Short, factual spotlights on the Purim holiday and Rembrandt’s life are appended and emphasize the Christian artist’s real-life collaboration with his city’s Jewish population.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| January, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-3391-8$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Alessandra Psacharopulo.
A sometimes-forced rhyming text describes the lead-up to Purim, including the change in seasons and activities such as baking hamantaschen and making costumes. Simple, cheerful illustrations show family and friends celebrating. It's a useful introduction to many aspects of the holiday, including a brief reference to its origin ("When we read... / that Queen Esther's great bravery protected the Jews... / Purim is here!").
32 pp.
| Whitman
| January, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-3381-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Puy Pinillos.
The barnyard animals are preparing their annual Purim play. Cluck wants to be Queen Esther, but that's Quack's role. When Quack disappears, Cluck saves her from Fox and displays enough courage to play Esther. Intricately patterned, humorous illustrations complement the many animal puns throughout the story. The characters reference Purim traditions, though the Purim story itself is retold only briefly.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Francesca Assirelli.
Grandma tells Talia the story of Purim while they bake hamantaschen; Talia's fanciful mishearing of the cookie's name gives it a bum rap in her eyes until Grandma sets her straight. Bright, warm illustrations--purple-tinged in the portions showing Queen Esther et al.--are stronger than the thinly plotted text. "Talia's Haman-TUSHIES" recipe is appended (adult supervision required).
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Inna Chernyak.
This "Three Little Pigs" sendup has pig brothers Rishon, Sheni, and Shlishi making crowns (from paper, cardboard, and papier-mâché, respectively) for the Purim carnival. Meanwhile, a hungry wolf needs a disguise to buy hamantaschen (recipe included). Ultimately a lesson in sharing, the book has little to do with Purim, although a note on it is appended. Bright, cartoonlike illustrations depict a cheery all-animal Purim carnival. Glos.
32 pp.
| Kar-Ben
| February, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7613-9061-9$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mike Byrne.
All the boys in Nate's class are dressing as superheroes for Purim, but Nate would rather be an alien. After his dads remind him to be himself, he thinks of a compromise. Expressing the message in terms of costume selection is a gentle choice, and the inclusion of gay dads is refreshingly incidental. Colorful but inexpert illustrations show off Nate's creative duds.
28 pp.
| Hachai
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1929628-73-5$9.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Patti Argoff.
These two lift-the-flap books are basic, acceptable introductions to Chanukah and Purim for more observant families. Readers are asked in rhyming couplets to identify figures and holiday trappings; answers, many in Hebrew terms, are under the flap. Purim mitvos and Chanukah activity ideas conclude the books. The cartoon-style illustrations are amiable (perhaps overly) but uninteresting. Glos. Review covers these titles: Chanukah Guess Who? and Purim Guess Who?.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Barbara Johansen Newman.
When Farmer Max leaves for a Purim play, his barnyard animals have their own show. After director Chicken assigns the parts, the play begins, though an unexpected visit from a fox--a real-life evil Haman--threatens the production. This slight story, accompanied by spirited illustrations, does little to educate readers about Purim, though they'll get a sense of the characters' personalities.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2223-4$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jill Weber.
In this faithful retelling of the Purim story, beautiful Esther becomes queen of Persia and saves her fellow Hebrews from wicked Haman. Kimmel's storytelling is straightforward and natural (though the text may be too long for younger children). Weber's rich jewel-toned illustrations are a treat, evoking the grandness of the royal setting and the intense emotions of the characters.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| November, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5701-5$17.99 New ed. (1991, Viking)
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jaime Zollars.
A blind boy feels helpless to assist his hardworking mother bake and sell hamantashen, the three-corned pastries for Purim. In a dream an angel tells him that he can see--in his mind's eye--and he astonishes his mother by creating cookies in lovely shapes. This new edition has shorter text and new illustrations of collage and acrylic paint in warm, golden-hued shades.
Reviewer: Amy Kellman
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 1991
32 pp.
| Eerdmans
| February, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8028-5348-6$17.50
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Grizelda Holderness.
Koralek faithfully retells a condensed version of the Bible story of Esther and how the Purim holiday came to be. Suspense builds in all the right places until the wicked Haman is punished and the Jews are saved. Holderness's richly colored pastel illustrations decorated with Persian-inspired motifs enhance the well-told tale.
24 pp.
| Kar-Ben
| January, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-58013-153-0$12.95
(4)
PS
Photographs by
Tod Cohen.
Clear photos captioned by a short text describe a class of preschool children celebrating Purim. The brief explanation in the back does not provide enough information or the pronunciation of Hebrew terms for people not familiar with the holiday. However, this book, the fifth in a series about the Jewish holidays, may be useful for those with some background knowledge.
32 pp.
| Clarion
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-618-33725-3$15.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Naomi Howland.
When the town gathers to celebrate Purim, a hungry bear cub, lured by the smell of honey, is mistaken for a fellow costumed reveler. A young boy realizes the bear is real, but no one believes him until the bear growls. The soft-colored gouache paintings done in a folk-art style enhance the straightforward telling. An author's note includes information about Purim.
40 pp.
| Atheneum
| February, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-689-82392-4$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Melanie W. Hall.
As a young girl and her family celebrate Purim by doing such things as putting on a play, reading the story of Esther and Mordecai, eating hamantashen, and attending synagogue, she thinks about how and why the holiday is celebrated and adds details to her Purim mask that represent different parts of the holiday. The colorful mixed-media illustrations capture the thoughtful tone of the text. Glos.
32 pp.
| Simon
| February, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-689-81372-4$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Gerstein retells the Bible story of how Esther married the king of Persia and subsequently saved the Jewish people from death. The story of the origins of Purim is told in a sophisticated tone, and Gerstein's gouache paintings do a fine job creating the unfamiliar setting. Exaggerated facial expressions and gestures enhance the drama.