THE BROTHERS' PROMISE

In a poignant Talmudic tale of companionship, sharing, and respect, two farmer brothers make a promise to their dying father to help each other through life. If they do, their father tells them, “the angels will weep with joy.” Although the brothers are markedly different—married Yankel is a bon vivant who enjoys to fiddle and dance, while single Josef prefers to quietly read the holy books at night—they get along, and are good-natured about their differences. When hard times hit the farm in the form of a dry spell, their loyalty is tested, and each brother sacrifices his own security to make sure the other has food. The brothers are provided for, courtesy of divine intervention, and the angels do weep—it rains. Wickstrom’s gentle characters bring the simple, lovely sentiment to life in a setting of rolling hills, illuminated by sunlight and candlelight. (Picture book. 5-8)