From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1. Even with its limited easy-reader vocabulary, this abbreviated version of Joseph's adventures is lively and reads well aloud or alone. The Potiphar's wife incident, the encounters with the baker and the butler, and certain of Pharaoh's dreams are omitted, as well as many of the details of the family reunion and forgiveness of the brothers at the end, but the essence of the Bible story is retained, as is the message that virtue is rewarded. The unusual illustrations, combining surrealism with folk art, have a textured surface resembling oilcloth and are painted in sweeps of brilliant, glowing colors. The figures are simplified and rhythmic, symbolic rather than realistic, and sometimes intimidating, as when the huge blue faces of the jealous brothers loom over Jacob as he flings a gigantic coat over a small Joseph, or when the outline of a fierce, toothy beast floats above the weeping Jacob as the brothers lie about Joseph's disappearance.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 1^-2. Retelling the biblical tale of Joseph and his brothers in short, staccato phrases, Kassirer comes up with a surprisingly effective book for young readers. The old story, with its themes of sibling rivalry, cruelty, and forgiveness, has lost none of its power over the centuries, as the producers of
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat found out. In fact, this book would be a good introduction for young children, who will enjoy the musical much more if they know the basic plot. Jarecka's vivid, dreamlike pictures, shot with deep, sunny beams of pure color, interpret the story in a series of narrative tableaux and impressionistic dream scenes. A good old story for new readers.
Carolyn Phelan