Rembrandt Chooses a Queen - Hardcover

Cohen, Deborah Bodin; Olitzky, Kerry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1681156822 ISBN 13: 9781681156828

Publisher: Apples & Honey Press, 2025

Synopsis

"An uplifting historical tale exploring the intersection of art history and religion." —Kirkus Reviews

"Refreshing....This title is recommended for all libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Is there a story behind Rembrandt's famous painting of Queen Esther?

In Rembrandt Chooses a Queen, the famous artist has a problem. He wants to paint a scene from the biblical Purim story, but his model is too vain to portray the beautiful yet humble Esther. Samuel, a Jewish apprentice in Rembrandt's workshop, believes his sister Isabel would be the perfect replacement. She knows the Purim story well, is inspired by Esther's bravery, and proud to be Jewish. Now they just need to convince the great artist.

Based on the real Rembrandt painting Ahasuerus and Haman at the Feast of Esther, this inspiring story of Judaism and art intersecting in 17th century Amsterdam includes an author's note about Purim and a short biography of Rembrandt by a professor of art history.

About this title

About the Authors

Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen is the award-winning author of many books for children including An Invitation to Passover (with coauthor Rabbi Kerry Olitzky), Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim, and the Engineer Ari series, and the coauthor of The Heroes Haggadah (with Rabbi Kerry Olitzky). She is an editor at Behrman House and the rabbi of Congregation Beth Chai. She lives in Rockville, Maryland.

Rabbi Kerry Olitzky is the author or coauthor of nearly 100 books for children and adults, including Welcome to the Seder: A Passover Haggadah for Everyone; The Heroes Haggadah (with coauthor Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen); and Miryam’s Dance. The former executive director of Big Tent Judaism, he was named one of the fifty leading rabbis in North America by Newsweek. He lives in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Cinzia Battistel is an illustrator, teacher, author, and painter. She received her degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, Italy. She has illustrated many children's books. In addition, she teaches at the school of Cinema of Milano and Torino, she co-created a television series "Uffa Che Patience", her artwork has been shown at many exhibitions, and she has been honored several times by the Annual of Italian Illustration. She currently lives in Fano, Italy.

Edition details

• Publisher: Apples & Honey Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1681156822
• ISBN 13: 9781681156828
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Battistel Cinzia
• Number of pages: 32