Kings and Queens of the Bible [Hardcover]

Mary Hoffman (Author), Christina Balit (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Kings and queens can be kind or cruel, greedy or generous, wise or foolish. Some of the best stories in the Bible are about ancient rulers who became famous for their deeds. From King Solomon’s wisdom to Queen Esther’s bravery, Mary Hoffman skillfully retells seven biblical stories, brought to life by Christina Balit’s vibrant art.

 

Kids love stories about royalty, and here are some of the most famous kings and queens, together in one gorgeously illustrated collection.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–5—Seven Old Testament tales featuring kings and queens are retold here, representing the cruel (such as Pharaoh and Jezebel) and the kind (such as Solomon and Esther). While the plotlines have been simplified and the telling is clear, some familiarity with the original stories will aid understanding. Readers will be reminded that the Bible can be filled with romance, violence, and death. The offerings do not combine into a single coherent narrative, but do evoke common themes of wealth, wisdom, prophecy, and power. An introduction provides a contextual overview, and endnotes refer to the biblical sources for each selection. The author describes the tales as coming from the "Old Testament," rather than the "Hebrew Bible," revealing a Christian point of view. The flowing, jewel-toned, stylized illustrations appear to support a Eurocentric perspective: each beautiful picture depicts the Middle Eastern and African characters with pale skin and blue-green eyes. This quibble aside, the illustrations do succeed in creating a fairy-tale atmosphere that supports the text's focus on royalty. This is an attractive volume. However, it should be noted that while "adult" material has been expunged from the stories, the violence remains. If, for example, Queen Jezebel being eaten by dogs will upset your young readers, use with caution.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
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From Booklist

Hoffman, author of Animals of the Bible (2003), now offers seven stories featuring various kings and queens from the Old Testament, from perennial heavyweights Moses, David, and Solomon and Esther to the lesser-told figures Balkis, Jezebel, and Belshazzar. Each quick story is told in a conversational tone that is ripe for either reading aloud to young children or drawing more confident readers into the drama, but is slightly at odds with the highly formal artwork. Multiple swaths of brightly colored patterns feature in the two-page spreads, defining different textures of cloth and hair; figures are shown most often in strict profile, gazing stoically off into the distance, an effect that lends to an ancient feel. While the text’s easy style is well-suited to its audience, it also leaves a few serious gaps that will have curious minds seeking out additional sources. To that end, an appendix offers a rundown of those books in the Bible in which each of these figures’ stories are told. Grades K-3. --Ian Chipman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805088377
• ISBN-13: 978-0805088373
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,046,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a beautifully illustrated book with graceful portrayals of memorable kings and queens in the Bible, April 23, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kings and Queens of the Bible (Hardcover)

There were many kings and queens mentioned in the Bible. Good ones, bad ones and indifferent ones, but all the kings and queens who are mentioned in this book played large parts in the history of the Jewish people. This beautifully illustrated book compliments the graceful portrayals of some of the more memorable kings and queens in the Bible.

In this book you will read about the Pharaoh and Moses, King David, King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Queen Jezebel, King Belshazzar and Queen Esther. Each story is a few pages long, some may be familiar to your child, while others they will discover in this book. Have you read about the evil Queen Jezebel whose "cruel religion" called for the sacrifice of innocent children? She's in here, but so is the kind, gentle and brave King David. There are few people who are unfamiliar with the legend of David and Goliath!

In the back of this book there is an additional brief paragraph, or sentence in the case of King Solomon, with some additional information and where in the Bible their stories can be found. These stories are brief enough to be bedtime stories, yet are intriguing enough to possibly become a stepping stone to further research and discussion in a religious, homeschool or classroom setting.