BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
It’s spring of 1933 in Washington DC and Muriel is enjoying the cherry blossoms on the National Mall. It’s also Passover and Muriel is sad that her family has no food to celebrate with. As she passes Lincoln memorial, she notices a strange man doing tricks. When asked about the Passover, she explains that her family will not be celebrating it. He encouraged her to run home and see if things would be different. When she arrives at her sparse living quarters, her parents are seated at an empty table. That is when the stranger shows up at their door and miraculously provides a bountiful Passover feast. The miracle inspires Muriel to run and invite the Rabbi and others as the stranger disappears. Muriel knew in her heart who the guest was.
Both author and illustrator drew from their childhood memories of the Seder. This book is a modern updated story taken from I.L. Peretz’s book, entitled Der Kunzen-Macher. Kunsel uses the story from her childhood and the setting in DC, which was her home, to create a fanciful retelling of a miracle. As the illustrator, Rubin drew upon the Jewish artist Marc Chagall, who also illustrated a version of this story. While the story is rich in hope and history, the dark illustrations made it difficult to feel the joy the author was trying to express.
MOMMAC
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