Esther's Story [Paperback]

Diane Wolkstein (Author), Juan Wijngaard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Diane Wolkstein retells the story of Esther, the compassionate queen who risked the wrath of a king to s ave her people from destruction, with illustrations by the a ward-winning Juan Wijngaard. '

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Just in time for Purim comes this lovely retelling of the story of Esther, the young Jewish girl who became a Persian queen and saved her fellow Jews from annihilation. Wolkstein casts this inspiring biblical tale in the form of a diary. In her own words, Esther tells how she came of age in a strange land; she records her hopes, joys, fears and sorrows as she moves from quiet teenager to exalted queen. She reflects, also, upon the meaning of her actions as they affect not only her people but also her understanding of her own identity. Wijngaard's lavish illustrations and Wolkstein's rendering of Esther's first-person narration breathe new humanity into this grand and glorious story, introducing to all children the power of self-sacrifice. Ages 7- up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5?Using the form of a first-person narrative, Wolkstein fleshes out the Biblical heroine's personality. A sheltered young Jewish girl who is elevated to the position of King Ahasuerus's wife, Esther retains her qualities of gentleness, loyalty, and compassion while displaying spirit and intelligence in her plan to foil Haman's nefarious plot to destroy her people. The text is vivid and declarative, with ample dialogue, and leaves the Biblical basis of the story intact, even to the slaughter by the Jews of Haman's many sons and followers. A brief definition of Purim and the way it is celebrated is included, but the emphasis is on the historical/legendary foundation of the holiday. Magnificent full-page gouache illustrations, confined formally in multiple marbleized frames, are rich with gleaming colors and elegant geometric patterns and peopled by handsome, lively characters. The luxury of the royal palace, its furnishings, and the gorgeous costumes of its inhabitants are especially well depicted.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 38 pages
• Publisher: Mulberry Books (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688158447
• ISBN-13: 978-0688158446
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Judaism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must reading" for any Jewish girl, January 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Esther's Story (Paperback)

I have read dozens of Jewish books to my kids, and this stands out as one of the few that I am going to keep for THEIR kids. The reason? It portrays Esther as a real person that girls can truly identify with, while not straying from the honest Torah understanding of the holiday. Additionally, the combination of realistic text (presented in the form of Esther's diary) and stunning illustrations make this book a literary treat. I wish this author-illustrator team would get together to create stories about all the Biblical heroines!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Purim @ the PBQ, March 15, 2000

By 

Emily Marbach (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Esther's Story (Paperback)

In late 400 B.C.E. there lived a king and the story of a period of his reign was recorded in the Book of Esther. Because the tale is of the near destruction of the Jews of Persia and neighbouring lands, Jewish people around the world commemorate that time by celebrating Purim. The story has been retold in many different ways. But the story line never fails to excite its audience because it is a tale of deceit and purity, honour and evil, love and piety. In Esther's Story, we have Esther telling her own story he own way. The book is a diary of events beginning with a banquet where Queen Vashti refuses to participate and is then banished. The diary ends with a seventy year old Queen Esther commenting on the Purim festival that is taking place out her window. Telling the story in this way is clever and the writing compliments the tale. There are loads of details, some invented and some taken from rabbinic commentators. Nevertheless, Esther comes alive and her heroism becomes that much more real for the young reader.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great retelling of a classic story - beautifully illustrated, October 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Esther's Story (Paperback)

This is a wonderful retelling of the Purim story as told in a diary of Esther. Unlike many of the books aimed at this age, it is unusually complete. The illustrations are sumptuous and do a great job of helping the story along