Appleblossom [Library Binding]

Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (Author), Joanna Yardley (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Preparations for Passover are under way, but eight-year-old Naphtali is more interested in the cat he has found and named Appleblossom. But Naphtali's father says "No cats!"--religious custom won't allow it. How Naphtali and Appleblossom get his father to change his mind makes for a charming book filled with family warmth. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- A story set in turn-of-the-century Eastern Europe a few days before Passover. Young Naphtali longs to adopt a cat whom he calls Appleblossom, but his father, a learned and revered man who seldom smiles or changes his mind, says no. The challenge to the young boy is to get his father to accept the cat without causing him to go back on his word. Appleblossom, who speaks in the measured cadences of a philosopher, has a plan. This is a gracefully told story with just the right touch of fantasy. The book is artfully designed with a variety of print styles and page formats. Children are sure to appreciate the expressive renderings of the characters' faces and the sunwashed watercolors, so springlike, of the beautifully composed illustrations. One slight criticism is the use of the term "Hebrew School," which is too modern for the period. It is refreshing to at last read a story set in an Eastern European shtetl (little town) in which the family is not poor. A good book to read aloud because of its dialogue, universal appeal, sufficient literary and artistic quality, and popular holiday theme. --Marcia Posner, Federation of New York and the Jewish Book Council, New York City
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 28 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J); 1st edition (March 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152037500
• ISBN-13: 978-0152037505
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,191,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorites, May 7, 2000

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Appleblossom (Library Binding)

I read this delightful tale years ago in an anthology of short stories, and was thrilled to see it available again in this lovely illustrated children's book. This is a story to delight animal lovers of all ages.

I should add here that there is really no "religious custom" forbidding Jews to have cats (I myself have six of them!) Appleblossom the cat tells Naphtali that her father belongs to the rabbi's son -- and if the rabbi's son has a cat, then it must be permitted! This is really a story about a father who personally doesn't care much for cats and is finding "religious" excuses to say "No cats." What Naphtali's father quotes are really folk superstitions about cats -- and Naphtali's mother seems to know that, because she wants a cat, too. Of course, the reader knows the story will have a happy ending -- with a little bit of help from Elijah the Prophet (who traditionally settles deadlocked disputes.)

The watercolor illustrations are filled with light and spirituality -- I especially love the one of Appleblossom looking down at Naphtali from the blossoming tree branches. The one minor "blooper" that some Jewish families might wonder about is that Naphtali, although clearly a religious Jew, is wearing shorts -- which was not the custom among Jews in Eastern Europe where he is supposed to be living. But the illustrator herself was born in England, and British schoolboys do traditionally wear short pants, so this can be probably explained as being based on what she saw in her own homeland. (Not a big issue, but some Jewish children may wonder about it.)

An excellent book -- I'd give it ten stars if I could. Order one now for next Passover.