Written by a famed Israeli singer, illustrated by a Bezalel-trained artist and originally published in Hebrew, this simple, beautiful, lyrical folk tale has a moral which is clear: selflessly follow your heart and help those in need and, when you do, reward will follow. In some respects, this is a Cinderella-like tale but there’s no need here for magical fairy godmothers or the like. A kind, generous, giving heart is all you really need; self-interest and a calculating approach will never do the trick. Although there’s a lesson to be learned, the story isn’t one bit didactic or heavy-handed. On the contrary, the tale is lightly and deftly told in flowing prose, accompanied by colorful illustrations that perfectly enhance the text and are filled with detail which evoke tone and mood. The publisher recommends the book for ages 4 – 10, but this reviewer would up the recommendation all the way through adulthood. It begs to be read aloud and would also be a wonderful resource for public speakers on a variety of occasions. An unusual tale filled with universal truth, this book is highly recommended.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.