Working from Midrash or legend based on the Old Testament, Gerstein tells the story of the white ram, created by God on the sixth day, with a mission to save the life of Abraham’s son, Isaac, at the sacrificial altar. A prosaic and flowing narrative describes the ram’s challenging race to reach Abraham in time. A demonic-looking malfeasant first warns him of death and then creates a series of increasingly perilous impediments to delay and detract from the important deed: a grassy field of food; a sparkling thirst-quenching fountain; a fearsome roaring lion and finally, a bush of brambles that entangles the ram’s horns. Whimsical, detailed, fanciful paintings in diffused tones complete the mythical rendition. Gerstein maintains the Jewish tradition of not picturing an image of God by embedding His presence in several camouflaged cloud scenes with allusions of hands and even a sage profile. This cleverly adds an element of optical illusion while revealing God’s timely intervention. The ram’s eternal significance is noted through the symbolic blowing of the Shofar made from a ram’s horn on Rosh Hashanah. A graceful and artistic biblical portrayal to be read aloud throughout the year. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2006
ISBN: 0-8234-1897-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Turkey’s in the “kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving...and you’re the main course.” Accordingly, Turkey tries on disguise after disguise, from horse to cow to pig to sheep, at each iteration being told that he looks nothing like the animal he’s trying to mimic (which is quite true, as Harper’s quirky watercolors make crystal clear). He desperately squeezes a red rubber glove onto his head to pass as a rooster, only to overhear the farmer suggest a poultry plan B when he’s unable to turn up the turkey. Turkey’s horrified expression as he stands among the peppers and tomatoes—in November? Chalk it up to artistic license—is priceless, but his surroundings give him an idea. Good fun, but it may lead to a vegetarian table or two. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5529-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2009
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