Sign in Mendel's Window (Aladdin Picture Books) [Paperback]

Mildred Phillips (Author), Margot Zemach (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Aladdin Picture Books

Mendel's sign has the whole town asking questions! Times are tough, so Mendel must rent out half his butcher shop. When a stranger arrives needing a room, he seems the answer to Mendel's prayers. But someone in the village is a thief, and only Mendel's wife can tell who the villain might be. Margot Zemach's illustrations brim over with keen humor and storytelling in this classic tale of life in a small European village.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Caldecott Medalist's illustrations bring just the right combination of warmth and wit to this tale set in a tiny Eastern European village. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 A folk-like tale, told with charm and a style apt for its old-world Jewish setting. When a stranger appears in Kosnov to rent space in Mendel's butcher shop, he says his work is thinking. But it seems to be making trouble, for after overhearing Mendel count his weekly earnings, he borrows a horse, goes to the city and returns with two policemen, claiming the money is his and telling them to arrest Mendel. The entire village supports Mendel, but it is Molly, Mendel's wife, who proves his innocence. Zemach's watercolors vividly capture the atmosphere of village life with both humor and affectionchickens in the street, Mendel making frankfurters, the expressions on people's faces. Rich browns and purples predominate in the weathered wooden buildings and street scenes, but there is an effective use of pastels and a bit of brilliant color. These illustrations seem so perfect for the text that one cannot imagine any others. Children will relish the outwitting of the villain and enjoy coming back to these pictures again and again. Ronald Van de Voorde, Graduate Library School, University of Arizona, Tucson
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 28 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin Publishing Company (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689809794
• ISBN-13: 978-0689809798
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,256,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Joyful riddle, June 4, 2002

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Sign in Mendel's Window (Library Binding)

The people in Kosnov called it a town, which was like calling a puddle a pond, a leaf a bush, a branch a tree, since the whole place had not more than 12 old wooden buildings clumped together and leaning upon one another to remain upright. The town was so small that when Roshana the wigmaker sneezed, Mishkin the tailor said "God bless you," though he lived a dozen doors away.

One day Mendel put a sign in his window that his butcher shop was for rent. The townsfolk worried that Mendel and Molly were moving, or worse, sick. On learning that their neighbors were staying, and would rent only half their shop, they hugged one another in relief.

Oddly enough someone actually came to rent it. Tinker's name should have warned Mendel that something was amiss with his new tenant, and his business--thinking--should have set off alarm bells. But since Tinker paid a week's rent in advance, Mendel thought nothing of it. Molly was off visiting cousins in Glitnik. Mendel burst in on Simka to share the joyous news.

The shop was divided in two by old bed sheets down the middle. Mendel did his week's counting in a whisper. But Tinker, treating Mendel like an old friend, convinced him to sing out his counting. Tinker very shortly knew how many zlotys were in Mendel's box--and through a hole in the sheets--could see the shelf where Mendel kept it.

Tinker borrowed Mendel's horse that weekend and promised to return on Monday. He returned--but with three horses and two policemen--and accused Mendel of stealing his money, by naming the exact sum in Mendel's box.

Simka quickly came to the rescue, and whispered something to the policemen, who discovered that the whole town knew both the sum in Mendel's box and where he kept it.

Then Molly presented Tinker the thinker with a riddle and a pot full of boiling water. How did that help? Hmmmm. Only the people in Kosnov know that secret, and they live in this charming book. Alyssa A. Lappen