The Mountain Jews and the Mirror (Kar-Ben Favorites) - Softcover

Ruchama Feuerman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1467738964 ISBN 13: 9781467738965

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

Yosef and Estrella have spent their whole lives in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. When they move to the city, they face a strange, unfamiliar world. Will their love survive the surprises of their new home? A funny and charming folktale-like story of mistaken identities.

About this title

Review

"Although this story is set in Morocco, it feels as though it's been transplanted from Chelm, the legendary village of fools from Jewish folklore. Yosef and Estrella are beautiful newlyweds who have moved from their remote village in the Atlas Mountains to Casablanca in search of opportunity. But when well-meaning relatives install a large mirrored wardrobe in their apartment, the result is nothing but tsuris: alone and seeing their reflections for the first time, Yosef and Estrella both become convinced that the other has taken another, more gorgeous beloved. Adult author Feurerman, in her children's book debut, and artists Kosec and Calderon never quite figure out how to make the couple's vulnerability and naivete endearing; readers may find themselves thinking that anyone who lives in those mountains should be made of tougher stuff (a notable exception is one scene where Estrella musters outrage at Yosef's supposed infidelity). Even so, the illustrations bring alive the bustle of Casablanca's narrow streets, and the couple's expressive eyes almost dare the audience not to feel at least a smidgen of empathy. Ages 5-9." -- Publisher's Weekly

--Journal

"With the old-fashioned feel of a folktale, this story about a young couple from the mountains of Morocco offers readers a sweet lesson in having faith in those they love. When newlyweds Yosef and Estrella move from their small village to the city, they are in for a few surprises. One afternoon shortly after their arrival, Estrella returns from the market to find a beautiful young woman in their home. Convinced her husband has taken a new, more attractive wife, she runs to the rabbi for advice. That same day, Yosef finds a handsome man in the house, who can only be a husband to replace him. He, too, seeks out the rabbi, who senses something is amiss. A visit to the couple's home reveals all to be a comical misunderstanding, but one that fortifies their love for each other. Beautiful acrylic paintings in crimson, olive, fig, and umber illustrate the tale, with particular care given to the couple's expressions as they navigate their emotions and new life together." -- Booklist

--Journal

"This original folk story reads like a Sephardic Chelm-like tale set in Morocco. The story centers on Estrella (named for the author's own grandmother from Casablanca) and her newlywed husband. When the village couple moves to the city, they quickly become overwhelmed by their new environment: the beautiful people, the size of their apartment, the excess in furniture. Conflict rises when Estrella and her husband separately mistake themselves in the wardrobe mirror for their perceived spouse's new love interest. All too soon even the rabbi is threatened by the man reflected back at him. The story, humorous at times, with its deep, dark-toned traditional North African illustrations, ends a bit melodramatically when the newlyweds confirm their desire for each other. The lesson can be one of many, including that sometimes we shouldn't be so quick to judge the person staring back at us in the mirror!" -- Jewish Book Council

--Website

About the Author

Ruchama King Feuerman is the author of two adult novels, Seven Blessings and In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist. This is her first children's book. She lives in Passaic, New Jersey.

Polona Kosec has an MA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana. She illustrates with acrylics, but she also enjoys drawing with other materials. She lives in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia.

Marcela Calderon lives in Argentina. She likes the smell of graphite, the scent of wood pencils, the sound of chalk on paper, acrylic textures, and the feel of the eraser. Basically, she loves to draw.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1467738964
• ISBN 13: 9781467738965
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Polona Kosec, Marcela Calderon