Florence B. Freedman

The story ends with a reference to "Hinei Ma Tov" and says that the Temple in Jerusalem was built on the spot where the story occurred. (According to a quick Internet search, the story is not an ancient Hebrew legend---the first mention seems to be in a French book in the 19th century. see https://jewishaction.com/religion/jewish-law/whats-the-truth-about-the-legend-of...… (mere)

Through the beautiful storytelling of Dean Engel, Ezra Jack Keats came alive again and again with the turn of each page. His beautiful illustrations helped to tell his life story in a vivid, re-imagined way. Through detailed accounts of Keats' difficult life in America as an immigrant polish Jew in Brooklyn, born and raised during the trying times of Depression, the reader is able to watch him transform from a young boy drawing on his mothers kitchen table to a war-weathered man illustrating children's novels and leaving behind an unmatched impression. I learned that Keats was raised in a poor family, worked long and hard for the minimal lifestyle that his entire family lived, lost his father at an early age just during the beginning of his professional art career, fought in a war, and had a loving cat named Samantha to keep him company as his writing companion.… (mere)

Picture book. This is about two brothers named Dan and Joel who both grew up as wheat farmers in Israel. When their dad dies they are both given one half of the total land. As they grew up they went down different life paths, Hoel married and had three kids whereas Dave never married. One night during a dry year they both felt bad for the other and would both bring wheat to the others house at night without the other brother knowing. One night the brothers met each other where the land was divided and gave each other a big hug.… (mere)

I loved the way the authors chose to write this biography about Ezra Jack Keats. It was told in a story format, that made it interesting to read, unlike the previous biographies I read before this. It was told in chapters, starting with Keats' childhood flowing all the way to his death. I feel the authors provided a lot of background information that really helped me understand Keats' works in a more profound way. The authors inserted many of Keats' own original paintings into the book, these helped prove his talents are much deeper than what we get from reading his children's books. Keats lived a very interesting life and I feel the authors conveyed that in an interesting way. The biography was thorough. The author's of this biography were good friends of Keats, which really explains the passion behind the book. Although it is a lengthy read, it was worth it.… (mere)