In this retelling of a Jewish folktale, Jacob tries to stump Rachel with his best riddles but fails repeatedly. When a young woman in need of help presents Rachel and Jacob with the trickiest riddles of all, they discover the only way to solve them is to work together. (20091023)
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A vibrant book that tells a story that will entertain and educate young children about cooperation and teamwork Waldman maintains the beautiful flavour of the folktale using simple and colourful language 32 pages of sheer delight." (Edmonton Jewish News 20091204)
"[The] acrylic illustrations are reflective of the warm, fireside setting of the story Revell's characters have evocative, believable facial expressions which add detail and drama to the story." (CM Magazine 20091203)
"A riddle wrapped in old-fashioned, homespun wisdom Revell's folksy illustrations beautifully complement this simply told story There is a whimsical, timeless quality to each sketch." (St. Albert Gazette 20091201)
"This book is absolutely charming and concisely written. It's full of the kind of Jewish values parents want their children to absorb from a very young age: work hard, do your best, cooperate Any child old enough for a book with real pages will love this story and especially the page at the end with riddles they can use to stump their friends." (Cleveland Jewish News 20091116)
"The illustrations are bold and whimsical and the text is very entertaining with a feminist slant There is even a page of riddles to test one's power of deductive reasoning at the conclusion of the book." (JWeekly.com 20091201)
"This would be a useful book to use during a multicultural or folktale lesson, or as a way to segue into the topic of riddles." (Resource Links 20091201)
"Waldman writes with tongue-in-cheek, understated humour and includes riddles galore in her story...Facial expressions and body language are particularly clever and telling in Cindy Revell's full-colour acrylic illustrations...A sparkling collaboration between the Alberta-based author and illustrator. Bravo!" (Ottawa Jewish Bulletin 20100101)
"A delightful story in which readers will like figuring out the riddles with Rachel and Jacob." (Book Notes (Center for Children's/Young Adult Books, MSU) 20100501)
"This enchanting retelling of a Jewish folktale is laced with riddles that children will enjoy trying to solve...The warm acrylic folk art illustrations do much to enhance this delightful story that provides a glimpse of rich Jewish culture." (Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media 20100601)
"A pleasure to read aloud. The main characters are made vivid by their rich language and inner thoughts Children will be attracted to the folk-art vitality on every page." (Canadian Children's Book News )
[Starred review] "The pairing of the author and illustrator to bring another Jewish folktale...to read-aloud format works wonderfully. The children in the story help solve many riddles and teach the reader about pride, wisdom, and teamwork. Sprinkled throughout are Jewish values and Yiddish terms that teach culture in an unimposing way. Highly recommended." (Library Media Connection )
"Colourfully illustrated in acrylics The lesson here is that while individual excellence should be encouraged, cooperation is the only path to wisdom." (Canadian Literature )
"[The] acrylic illustrations are reflective of the warm, fireside setting of the story Revell's characters have evocative, believable facial expressions which add detail and drama to the story." (CM Magazine 20091203)
"A riddle wrapped in old-fashioned, homespun wisdom Revell's folksy illustrations beautifully complement this simply told story There is a whimsical, timeless quality to each sketch." (St. Albert Gazette 20091201)
"This book is absolutely charming and concisely written. It's full of the kind of Jewish values parents want their children to absorb from a very young age: work hard, do your best, cooperate Any child old enough for a book with real pages will love this story and especially the page at the end with riddles they can use to stump their friends." (Cleveland Jewish News 20091116)
"The illustrations are bold and whimsical and the text is very entertaining with a feminist slant There is even a page of riddles to test one's power of deductive reasoning at the conclusion of the book." (JWeekly.com 20091201)
"This would be a useful book to use during a multicultural or folktale lesson, or as a way to segue into the topic of riddles." (Resource Links 20091201)
"Waldman writes with tongue-in-cheek, understated humour and includes riddles galore in her story...Facial expressions and body language are particularly clever and telling in Cindy Revell's full-colour acrylic illustrations...A sparkling collaboration between the Alberta-based author and illustrator. Bravo!" (Ottawa Jewish Bulletin 20100101)
"A delightful story in which readers will like figuring out the riddles with Rachel and Jacob." (Book Notes (Center for Children's/Young Adult Books, MSU) 20100501)
"This enchanting retelling of a Jewish folktale is laced with riddles that children will enjoy trying to solve...The warm acrylic folk art illustrations do much to enhance this delightful story that provides a glimpse of rich Jewish culture." (Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media 20100601)
"A pleasure to read aloud. The main characters are made vivid by their rich language and inner thoughts Children will be attracted to the folk-art vitality on every page." (Canadian Children's Book News )
[Starred review] "The pairing of the author and illustrator to bring another Jewish folktale...to read-aloud format works wonderfully. The children in the story help solve many riddles and teach the reader about pride, wisdom, and teamwork. Sprinkled throughout are Jewish values and Yiddish terms that teach culture in an unimposing way. Highly recommended." (Library Media Connection )
"Colourfully illustrated in acrylics The lesson here is that while individual excellence should be encouraged, cooperation is the only path to wisdom." (Canadian Literature )
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Jacob was stunned. Rachel had devoured his best riddles the way his father's customers devoured fresh rugelach. He was about to say so when he was distracted by a loud noise at the inn's door. Standing in the entry was a young woman, who might have been beautiful had she not looked so distraught.
"I am Miriam," she said. "I hear there is a clever child at this inn. One who is good at solving riddles."
"I am happy to help you," Rachel said, but Jacob's voice was louder.
"My name is Jacob," he announced, stepping in front of Rachel.
"But I'm the one you're looking for," Rachel protested. (20091212)
"I am Miriam," she said. "I hear there is a clever child at this inn. One who is good at solving riddles."
"I am happy to help you," Rachel said, but Jacob's voice was louder.
"My name is Jacob," he announced, stepping in front of Rachel.
"But I'm the one you're looking for," Rachel protested. (20091212)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My son loved the riddles,
This review is from: Clever Rachel (Hardcover)
What crosses the river but cannot move? What has an eye but never sees? In this retelling of a Jewish folk-tale, Clever Rachel is a girl who loves riddles. A smart boy, Jacob, hears about her and decides to challenge her. He is astonished when she answers his best riddles in no time flat. But when a desperate woman visits Rachel needing answers to some riddles, Rachel and Jacob realize they must work together to help solve the riddles, which will allow the woman to marry the man she loves. My seven-year-old son really enjoyed guessing the answers to the riddles woven into this story. Seven more riddles are printed on the last page. This would be a great book to read aloud to a class. I have included this book in my Gender Equality Bookstore online.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read Rachel Again, Mom,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Clever Rachel (Hardcover)
My twins have enjoyed having this read to them over and over since it arrived the other day. I bought it because knowing Debby, I know she is a great story teller and writer. The beautiful illustrations were a bonus. I'm going to give a copy to some friends now, to spread the enjoyment.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever Rachel,
By Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Clever Rachel (Hardcover)
Riddles are the heart of this enjoyable retelling of a Jewish folktale. Young Rachel has been raised on riddles and is as clever as any boy, though her mother would prefer that she focus on learning to make kugel and setting a proper Shabbat table. Jacob, the baker's son, doubts her ability to solve riddles as well as he does, so Rachel decides to teach him a lesson by stepping back when a distraught young woman named Miriam comes pleading for help. If Miriam doesn't solve three riddles, her beloved will be forced to marry someone else. Jacob struggles with the riddles until he becomes flustered and finally turns to Rachel for the answers, remembering that true wisdom comes from working together. Although minimally sprinkled with old world phrasing, the text reads more like a picture book than a folktale. Appealing full-page illustrations in golden hues depict traditionally garbed villagers with expressive faces that bring the story to life. But the true appeal of this book is the riddles, including a full page of them at the end just for fun. Read with Raisel's Riddle by Erica Silverman and entries from While Standing on One Foot by Nina Jaffe for a great introduction to Jewish riddle and puzzle stories. For ages 7 - 9. Teri Markson
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