Two Picture Books on Words and Storytelling: Sholem’s Treasure and The Language of Angels

The Language of Angels and Sholem’s Treasure illustrate how great an influence word and history has had on Jewish culture.

The Language of Angels: A Story about the Reinvention of Hebrew by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Karla Gudeon. Charlesbridge, 2017, 30 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 5-10

“Once there was a boy without a friend.” That opening should grab young readers right away: why no friends?

The boy couldn’t communicate. Growing up in Jerusalem, ca 1885, Ben-Zion’s father Eliezer didn’t want him to speak or understand any language but Hebrew, “the language of angels.” The multi-lingual neighbors thought Hebrew was too holy to be used for everyday functions, so there were no other Hebrew-speakers in Jerusalem. Though not stated, most readers will understand Eliezer was a bit over-zealous, and his son was slow to begin speaking anything (as well as having no friends). But a loving father will find a way, and Eliezer decided to teach the local children by inventing portmanteau Hebrew words that were not in the sacred writings, like ice cream (glida, to freeze water) and dictionary (milon, a place for words). Local kids were interested in the new words, enough that Ben-Zion began having conversations outside his home.

The resurrection of Hebrew, now the official language of Israel, is a rare success story of language creation (other attempts, like Esperanto, always fail). The Afterword includes brief bios of both Ben-Zion and his parents, major features of Hebrew, and the background of Palestine. The illustrations are inspired by Jewish folklore, enhanced with Hebrew calligraphy. It’s a fascinating snapshot at Jewish history and culture, as well as a primer on the evolution of language.

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 4

Sholom’s Treasure: How Sholom Aleichem Became a Writer by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005, 38 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 5-12

Sholom Rabinowitz was proud of his popular father, who regaled the children of their Russian village with traditional tales read aloud at the end of every Sabbath. All that ended when Father’s business partner absconded with all the money and the family was left destitute. They would have to move someplace where their parents could find work, which meant leaving the little village and all of Sholom’s friends. Worse came to worse with the death of his mother and the arrival of a grouchy stepmother, who had nothing good to say about any of the children. Especially Sholom. But the boy was a keen observer and an excellent student, whose furtive writings came to the attention of the town Collector. The man’s approval impressed Father, who called off the stepmother so Sholom will have more time to write.

Anyone who’s seen Fiddler on the Roof, based on Sholom’s stories, will pick up on the details from the writer’s own life: the ramshackle village he had to leave, the eccentric neighbors, the rambunctious family. Noted illustrator Gerstein fills the page with exaggerated faces and expressions and scenes readers will recognize from the musical. Best of all, the “treasure” a little Russian Jewish boy hoped to find buried in his village turned out to the trove of personality and story he carried with him throughout his happy life.

Overall Rating: 4

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Literary/artistic value: 4

Read more about our ratings here.

More at Redeemed Reader:

• Reflections: Language is a mysterious tool and divine gift; see Gladys Hunt’s thoughts on the subject here.
• Reviews: See our picture-book roundup of Four Men who Shaped the English Language. Also of interest: The Book of Languages: Talk Your Way around the World.
• Resource: Raising Writers in Four Simple Steps.

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