The Generous Fish by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Frances Tyrrell [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  A sweet story told as a fable that teaches more than one lesson. Firstly, it is simply a sweetly told story. Secondly, it teaches sharing with others, it can also teach an environmental lesson of caring for our world and life in it. Lastly, it teaches that we can be too demanding of those willing to share with us.

The illustrations are soft pastels and quite artistically lovely. They bring a sweetness to this gentle story that enables the reader and listener to experience the joy of the story as well as understanding the need of the lessons.

While inspired by scripture, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” it is not meant to be a literal Bible lesson. The story begins with a boy's father sharing this scripture with him and the boy actually does cast bread upon the waters (feeds the fish).

A lovely book and one I can easily recommend.

About the book:  (Inspired by Jewish folklore, The Generous Fish is the story of a young boy named Reuven who takes a verse from scripture to "cast your bread upon the waters" (Ecclesiastes 11:1) quite literally. The result of his daily act is a giant talking fish with golden scales! Boy and fish spend idyllic days together until the villagers realize those scales are real gold. Every villager has good reason to ask for one. Devorah needs clothes for her children. Old Joseph needs money for a cane. The fish says he has plenty to share. But he grows weak from giving away too much, too fast. Can Reuven stand up to the village and save his friend? Through a unique friendship between a boy and a magic fish, award-winning author Jacqueline Jules has created an environmental fable sure to generate discussion in the classroom and at home. What happens when we want something that depletes another's resources? Frances Tyrrell's finely detailed illustrations delightfully capture a child's innocent love for the natural world. An author's note provides biblical sources on human interaction with the environment.

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Begins April 20

Ends May 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Publishing to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Wisdom Tales. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. 

Children's picture books about Jewish holidays, Purim and Hanukkah [Review & Giveaway - USA

We're looking at a couple of books from Wisdom Tales publishing company that are distinctively Jewish. These are children's books about the celebration of Jewish holidays. I believe that our Christian heritage is rooted in Jesus, but also in those who went before and are brought alive to us in the Old Testament which is also a history of the Jewish peoples. 

Children need to know that others sometimes believe differently and have different holidays. Children won't be confused if taught correctly but will grow to understand and appreciate these differences.

The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by Martha Seif Simpson, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard

  

My thoughts: In The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah approaches and the toyshop owner (in the "old country") has sold all his dreidels.  A dreidel is a spinning toy similar to a "top" and was a beloved toy of Jewish children. While the story teaches virtually nothing about the holiday itself, it does teach how miracles cannot be bought.

The book's back pages include information regarding the decorations which are letters or symbols that are part of the dreidel game and are part of how you play the dreidel game. 

The story itself is of how the dreidel is sold to selfish, demanding individuals and when they couldn't get it to spin, they returned it to the toyshop for a refund of what they paid. Finally, the toyshop owner gives it to a kind, sweet boy for whom the dreidel spins beautifully.

A lovely story.

About the book: This dreidel doesn't work! the father had cried. What do you mean? How can a dreidel not work? the shopkeeper asked. It was certainly the most beautiful spinning top the shopkeeper had ever seen, with magical golden letters on its sides. But it just would not spin for two spoiled children who insisted on owning it! Later, the shopkeeper decides to try it one last time: would it spin for another child, one who carried the true spirit of Hanukkah in his heart? In this beautiful holiday story by award-winning author Martha Simpson, and brought to life by the imaginative illustrations of award-winning illustrator D. Yael Bernhard, the happiness and joy of the Hanukkah miracle will warm the heart of young and old alike with its simple message: wonders still occur for those who are ready for them. Included is a useful appendix that explains Hanukkah, and an explanation on how to play the dreidel game."

  

Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim by Martha Seif Simpson, Durga Yael Bernhard (Contributor)

 

My thoughts:  The noise of the graggers being played with by shoppers and children is really bothering the toyshop owner. Yet he still purchases additional graggers from the peddler.

After receiving the newer graggers from the peddler, a young boy hurryingly enters the toyshop and selects a gragger beautifully painted that has Queen Esther's name on it to give his sister who is also named Esther. With some reluctance the shopkeeper agrees not to sell it a few hours so the boy can return with adequate funds to purchase it.

Soon a very large boy arrives and rudely demands he be sold the Queen Esther gragger. When told he can not have that one, he bellows loudly and slams his hand on the counter demanding that specific gragger for himself. The shopkeeper is adamant to not sell it to this rude customer telling him that he is not welcome in the toyshop.

The young boy returns and buys the gragger after which the bully confronts him and tried to get the toy from the sister who by now is holding the gragger.

The story ends well with shouting and the noise of the graggers driving the bully away. A well written story about the celebration of Purim which is the celebration of Queen Esther's defiance of Hamman in Jewish history when Hamman sought to rid the kingdom of Jews. Hamman was defeated.

The story of Esther is important in the Biblical context for Christians as well as it is rooted in Jewish history. Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating Esther. The back pages of this children's book provide non-fiction information about Purim and graggers. 

About the book: Young Esther is given a special gragger (a noisemaker) to celebrate the fun, and sometimes raucous, Jewish festival of Purim. An older boy bullies her to get it for himself, but Esther reacts with great courage and intelligence, her actions reflecting the biblical story on which Purim is based. The lively cast of characters quibble and carouse in a bygone world of warmth, surprise, and generosity. There is even a parade for children only. The appendix helps readers understand the history of Purim, how it is celebrated today, what a "gragger" is, and how to make a simple noisemaker. Following the award-winning The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin, author Martha Seif Simpson and illustrator D. Yael Bernhard have again created a new toyshop tale of playful language and images that hint at ancient roots and hidden meanings, which are just waiting for young readers to find. This is a tale ideal for reading aloud for fun, but also for learning.

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Begins October 12

Ends November 6 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

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DISCLOSURE: I received copies to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and sent directly to winner by publisher, publicist, or author/s.

Culture story: Story of the Mongolian Tent House by Jambyn Dashdondog & Anne Pellowski; illustrated by Beatriz Vidal [Review & Giveaway/USA]

ISBN: 9781937786816
Hardcover ~ $16.95
Ages 4-8
Wisdom Tales Press

My thoughts:  Schools and educators are typically the active providers of multi-cultural studies for children. But I personally believe it is the responsibility of parents, in the home, to accept the responsibility to so educate their children. Let them see other peoples and their beliefs, behaviors, customs, and history and legends through story books and non-fiction sources. Let their children see and understand how we are alike and yet we are different and what can we appreciate from each and every culture.

The Story of the Mongolian Tent House probably falls into the category of story-legend that peoples of the Mongolian lands told of their resourcefulness and need for a structure to protect  themselves from the elements of heat and cold, rain and snow. And to protect themselves from animals.

It tells how they structured it round as the world and sun, used the natural resources they had, and cooperated with one another.

And then discord settled in amongst them (they were brothers) and in anger they went their separate ways but each took part of their Tent House with them.

This is a "tale" or legend but it teaches many things. It shows how working together with what one has can fulfill one's needs. It shows an affinity with nature or the world about us. And it shows how we humans have the failing of selfishness and anger.

But it shows how we can work together and work through our differences.

A nice book on this piece of humankind and a good source for libraries and schools.

About the book: Based on an original tale by award-winning Mongolian author, Dashdondog Jamba, and retold by distinguished international author, Anne Pellowski, find out how the traditional Mongolian tent house (called a ger in Mongolian and a yurt in Turkish), was created in the ancient past by drawing on the example of nature, and how it later became a beloved symbol of friendship and harmony. With stunning illustrations of Mongolian culture by renowned artist, Beatriz Vidal, young readers can experience first-hand the wide-open steppes of this vast and wild land bordering on Russia to the north and China to  the south.

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Begins June 22

Ends July 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by the publisher.

President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House by Demi [Review & Giveaway]

February is the month when we celebrate American Presidents' Day and an ideal time to remember President Abraham Lincoln. Libraries and schools will feature books about presidents with bulletin boards with their pictures, stores will hold Presidents' Day Sales, and kids will give presidential book reports. So how timely to review President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House.

A children's picture book biography

My thoughts:  I love children's picture book biographies and introducing young children to historical and significant people who have shaped our world. Reading President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House I find that it goes a bit beyond the picture book status in that the text is more involved, detailed, and spans more ideas and time than is usual in a children's picture book biography. It does, however, fill a need for detailed information for the young biography reader.

Reading this to the 4-to-6-year-old will take patience on the part of the reader and listener. It can work, though. The text and back pages details will be suitable for up to about age 12.

The back page information is concise and informative and will provide good detail for student reference material for dates, events, and the Gettysburg address text. This makes it highly suitable for classroom and school library.

The illustrations are simply not a favorite of mine but they do tell the story quite nicely with lots of color and detail. I do like the significant Lincoln quotes in set apart blocks on the pages.

This is a good biography and the information is tops. I think this would be a good addition to libraries.

About the book: From a small log cabin in Kentucky to the steps of the White House, Abraham Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to the very height of prominence and prestige. Leading America through the momentous events of the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the abolition of slavery, the story of "Honest Abe" is one that all children should know. Now award-winning author and illustrator, Demi, recounts Lincoln s incredible life story of courage, wisdom, and compassion as only she can. Filled with stunning illustrations, this book contains an appendix of fascinating facts and famous quotes from Lincoln s life, as well as a timeline and map. President Lincoln: From Log Cabin to White House is not only a powerful teaching tool, but an entertaining and age-appropriate introduction to a man who has become one of the most influential and admired presidents of the United States."

About the author: Demi is the award-winning creator of numerous books for children, including The Empty Pot; Buddha; The Dalai Lama; The Legend of Saint Nicholas; Gandhi, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and received an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; and Muhammad, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice selection, a Booklist Editors’ Choice selection, one of the Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth, and a Book Links “Lasting Connections” selection, and was cited in a Publishers Weekly starred review as a “timely, exceptionally handsome biography [that] serves as an excellent introduction to Islam.” Demi lives in Carnation, Washington.

GIVEAWAY

Begins January 6

Ends January 27 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given. Giveaway is provided by the publisher and sent directly to winner by publisher.

A King James Christmas: Biblical Selections with Illustrations from Around the World edited by Catherine Schuon and Michael Oren Fitzgerald [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781937786038
Hardcover $19.95

My thoughts: I was expecting a "Christmas" book steeped in classic art with accompanying Scripture from the King James translation of the Bible. What it actually is, though, is Christ's birth and early life and a third section on His teachings using famous art from around the world to illustrate compiled portions of Scripture in the King James Version.

This is quite a book. But as with all books, some will like it more than others. Since much of the classic art pieces were executed many years ago when the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches were dominant, there is much focus on the Madonna and Child with accompanying halos around their heads. There is a table of illustrations at the back of the book identifying each of the pieces of art with artist, location, year work was finished and name of piece of art. This is very nice for children and adults who will be visiting locales that display this art but it also works as a tutorial in naming and identifying art. It is amazing to behold art that has existed for 1,000 years or more.

Back to the purpose and splendor of the book..... the real gem to me is that they are using the beautiful King James Version to recount the birth of Christ, His childhood, and His teachings. This even includes a wonderful section of the Sermon on the Mount.

I don't really see this as a children's book, but a family book. One that can be tucked away on the family bookshelf and referred to at special times.

Very nice and worth pursuing.

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 13

ENDS December 4 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

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About the book: Beautifully crafted and presented, A King James Christmas is sure to become a new Christmas classic for the entire family. Excerpts from the Gospels are woven together to form a seamless and easy-to-follow story of Jesus’ birth and infancy, including the Annunciation, the Visitation, the adoration of the Magi, the presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the flight into Egypt. Also included is the inspiring Sermon on the Mount. Fully illustrated with reproductions of paintings, sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, and stained glass windows from across the globe, A King James Christmas is a feast for the eye and a remarkable celebration of the spirit of Christmas.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Publishing+  to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Whispers of the Wolf by Pauline Ts'o [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: Ahrooooooo" went the cry. It was the call of the wolf pack. A young boy named Two Birds heard it, and so did his wolf. Two Birds had found the abandoned wolf pup, and they had grown up together. Now, the wild was calling, and Two Birds had a choice to make. Struggling with a mix of emotions, he must decide whether his love for the wolf is greater than his need to be near it. Will Two Birds learn to let go not just of the wolf, but also of his own fears? Whispers of the Wolf is a beautiful picture book set around 500 years ago among the Pueblo Indians of the desert Southwest. A heartwarming piece of historical fiction, it weaves together themes of community, tradition, self-esteem, and respect for all life, creating a realistic portrait of a culture that continues to exert a vibrant, living influence today.

My thoughts: This is a story about a young Pueblo Indian boy in the mid 1500s prior to any contact with the Spanish explorers. The young boy, Two Birds, is not included in many activities other Indian boys pursue and he can not run fast. But one day he finds a deserted, sick wolf pup. He takes it back to his home and cares for it.

Soon another Indian boy notices and wants to hold the pup, play with it, etc. This gives Two Birds an opportunity to have companionship and excel at something.

There are several story lines in Whispers of the Wolf.

• Compassion and care for orphaned animals 
• The joy of caring for the animal
• Allowing others to join in the fun of something you are doing (in this case, caring for the wolf pup)
• Breaking through barriers - in the case of Two Birds he became a real good story teller
• Releasing a wild animal back into the wild to pursue his own life amongst his kind
• Insight into what life might have been back for the Pueblo in the 1500s.

This is an enjoyable book and will surely be of interest to many boys and girls.

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Begins August 21

ENDS September 11 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and freely given. Giveaway winner's copy is provided and shipped by Wisdom Tales directly to the winner.

Little Lek Longtail Learns to Sleep by Bette Killion & illustrated by Beatriz Vidal [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: This fable takes the idea that little ones (our very own children) are afraid to go to sleep or afraid of the dark. The colorful Thai Argus pheasant is the little one that can't sleep in this story and he is afraid of things in the darkness. One of them being that something will eat him - tigers or panthers - if he goes to sleep and isn't alarmed in time to get away from them.

Little Lek Longtail has an exceptionally long and beautifully colored tail and this proves to be a source of not only pride but provides him with a coping skill as well. Bette Killion allows Little Lek to have a longer and more colorful tail than the real Thai Argus pheasant, but the real bird does have a rather spectacular tail and he does perch in trees as Little Lek does. Ms. Killion has aptly provided a bedtime story that will surely help children of the world learn to cope with their fear of the dark while learning about an unusual bird that lives amongst the dense foliage of the Thai rainforest.

The Thai Argus pheasant is a bird native to Thailand which is tropical. The illustrations are lush greens as one would expect the foliage to be in a tropical land. And Little Lek's feathers are bright and colorful. Beatriz Vidal allows the lush illustrations to flow uninterrupted by words and white space allowing the text its own space keeping the illustrations intact.

At the back of the book the author provides facts about the Argus pheasant that are very interesting and will provide a nice teaching opportunity.

"...everyone loved him."

About the book: “I can't sleep, mommy, I'm scared.” Human moms and dads have heard it many times before, and so too, it turns out, has Little Lek's mother. Her little Thai Argus pheasant was so gentle, kind, and handsome with his exceptionally long and brightly colored tail. But he had just one problem: he couldn't get to sleep. Then one day something changed, and Little Lek discovered a strength that lay hidden within, something that gave him the peace of mind to sleep soundly through the night. Find out the secret of how Little Lek learned to trust in himself! Readers will delight in Beatriz Vidal's vivid and expressive art. An appendix of fascinating facts about the Thai Argus pheasant makes this book an educational experience as well.

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Begins February 22

ENDS March 16 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated. Giveaway copy is provided by Wisdom Tales and shipped directly to the winner by publisher.

Never Say a Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN:978-1-937786-20-5 
Hardcover $16.95
Ages 4-8 ~ Wisdom Tales Press

About the book: No one ignores the grand vizier. The most important advisor in the royal court, he was considered the wisest man in the kingdom. He was also Samuel's father. Make sure Hamza never says a mean word to you again, he had ordered Samuel. What should Samuel do? He couldn't disobey his father. But how would he make sure that Hamza never insulted him again? Perhaps train a monkey to hold Hamza's lips closed, or give him some lemon juice to make his mouth pucker? Inspired by a powerful legend of conflict resolution in Muslim Spain, Never Say a Mean Word Again is the compelling story of a boy who is given permission to punish an enemy. What will he do?

My thoughts: In this re-telling of a Spanish tale, the young child encounters mixed cultures and learning to get along with others in an artistic rendering of a well-told story. A good read-to-me story or read-to-myself book, the text is large enough for young readers and the story flows in a gentle, easy style that entertains and engages the reader.

The illustrations of Durga Yael Bernhard are simple, yet intricate in colors soft but strongly invoking cultures they represent. The differences between the boys is shown quite distinctly by their head wear. The thick walls and arched doorways, abstract geometric designs, and colors represent well the Morrish designs of Medieval Spain. All this speaks of the lives of the wealthy in Spain during medieval times. The boyish thoughts of Samuel for keeping Hamza from saying mean things to him in the future are quite humorously pictured.

The tale begins with Samuel, son of the grand vizier, strolling along and totally engrossed in his own thoughts when he bumps into Hamza, the tax collector's son. Irate, Hamza verbally lashes out at Samuel..... and it doesn't end there. Accidents. Saying sorry. Things happen and apologies don't help. Hamza is upset!

Samuel's father helps him by encouraging him to do something (not telling him what that something was) to help Hamza never say a mean word again.

This story is inspired by the real-life actions of the Jewish poet Samuel Ha-Nagid, who was also a vizier, the highest royal advisor in eleventh- century Muslim Spain.

The implications of this story can be far reaching and are certainly compelling. I think this would be a very good addition to elementary class libraries, school and public libraries everywhere.

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Begins October 4

ENDS October 25 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales Press to facilitate this review. These are my own opinions and I was not compelled to give a positive review. Winner's copy will be graciously sent directly to the winner by Wisdom Tales Press.

Feathers for Peacock by Jacqueline Jules and Illustrated by Helen Cann [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9781937786533

Many peoples and cultures have legends about birds and how they got their wings, or their chirp, or their feathers. It is interesting to read or hear these stories that have been passed down from generation to generation throughout the centuries.

In Feathers for Peacock we have an original story by a contemporary author, Jacqueline Jules, and beautifully illustrated by Helen Cann. It is not a folk-tale but it reads like one. Ms. Jules has created her own story. In the back of the book she also shares some fun facts about peacocks. Now about the book....

The story opens back when all the birds had no feathers and they were all sad. And then the moon helped and they all got beautiful feathers...... except...... Peacock. And he was sad.

When Moon saw he was so sad and the other birds as well, they all joined in sharing feathers of their own (not Moon, of course) so Peacock could have feathers.

But they were a messy mess of feathers. Then Moon said he'd fix it.

Peacock got his feathers and was proud and happy. The others had been kind and had shared. The legend type of story is gentle and sweet and will teach valuable lessons to little ones with whom the book is shared. This lovely book will be a good addition to school and home libraries.

GIVEAWAY

Begins August 11

ENDS September 1 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Wisdom Tales to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated.