The Flower of Sheba (Bank Street Ready-To-Read Books Level 2)

Provides a dramatic retelling of the Old Testament tale of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in an easy-to-read, read-together version.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A solid retelling of the Old Testament story of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon to see just how wise he was. The rich, vibrant, full-color illustrations with pen detail are filled with flowers, the focus of the third riddle that King Solomon must solve. A good series entry for beginning readers.
Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The great queen visits King Solomon to ``prove him with hard questions,'' as the Bible says. Here, the questions are riddles, plus a challenge from traditional lore: to pick the one real flower from a mass of artificial ones, which Solomon achieves with the help of a bee, demonstrating that ``to the wise, even small creatures can be great teachers.'' Kelly's art isn't distinguished, but she captures the opulence of the court and the monarchs' retinues and the beauty of the black queen in glowing colors. The text is more accomplished, with a dignity and economy honoring the biblical original while telling a story that will make a diverting change of pace for beginning readers. One lack: a historical source note to enrich the experience for children and adults ``reading together,'' as intended for this Bank Street Ready-to-Read book. (Easy reader. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 2-3. Spurred by tales of the wisdom of King Solomon, the wise Queen of Sheba visits him in order to test his knowledge and increase her own. First she asks him riddles, then she challenges him to find the one real flower among a thousand blooms made of silk, paper, and glass. Confounded by the scented, artificial garden, Solomon opens a window and lets in a bee, which leads him to the real white rose growing amid the "permanent flowers." The African queen leaves Solomon enriched by the knowledge that "to the wise, even small creatures can be great teachers." Colorful illustrations add to the book's appeal. While the tale is charming, well told, and evidently traditional, the story demands source notes and the book does not supply them. Still, this Bank Street Ready-to-Read book is an unusual and worthwhile choice for young readers. Carolyn Phelan