Queen Esther Saves Her People - Hardcover

Gelman, Rita Golden

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0590470256 ISBN 13: 9780590470254

Publisher: Scholastic, 1998

Synopsis

Based closely on the Book of Esther and featuring childlike artwork that captures the trappings of the period, a spirited retelling of the Purim story celebrates the Queen Esther's brave defense of the Jews against the king's tyrannical prime minister.

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Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2?In a direct and lively style that conveys its intensity and drama, Gelman retells the stirring story of a young woman who risks her own life to save her people when the prime minister orders that all of the Jews in Persia be killed. The bold, full-color gouache paintings in folk-art style are full of details about court life in Persia. Double-spread pages are often framed in a manner that accentuates the story's events. Thus, the bricks of the palace walls, the arches of the palace interior, or the gallows with a hanging rope surrounding the text become effective design elements. "A Purim Notebook" gives background information on the holiday and its celebration. Diane Wolkstein's Esther's Story (Morrow, 1996) is told as a diary and is illustrated by Juan Wijngaard in a more elegant style. Queen Esther is a fine choice for reading aloud during the Purim festival, which recounts this inspiring event.?Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 5^-8. Although there are a number of books about the Jewish holiday Purim, including Purim Play by Roni Schotter, this is a particularly well told version. The biblical story centers on the young girl Esther, who is taken into the court of the Persian king and then finds herself in a position to save her people, the Jews. Gelman personalizes the story with details: "The young women [of the court] spoke many languages. They were of many religions. And they were all beautiful, each in her own way. Esther enjoyed meeting women from many different parts of the empire." The pictures, done in folk art style, incorporating the story's Persian setting, are likewise full of details. From the cover picture of a Esther, holding a tiny, almost unnoticeable white bird in her hand, to the joyous last scene, in which the Jews of Persia celebrate their freedom, there is always one more thing to see. A solid, attractive choice for religion shelves. Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0590470256
• ISBN 13: 9780590470254
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Lessac Frane
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 38