From Publishers Weekly
Rarely has the story of Moses been presented with such grace and economy as in this striking book. As the title indicates, in her retelling of Moses' life, Sobel, a book editor who has won numerous prizes including the PEN/Roger Klein Award, emphasizes the Jewish prophet's many encounters or intersections with angels, good and evil. The first angel to manifest is the Angel of Dreams, who shows Pharaoh an image that foretells Moses' birth; the last is the Angel Semalion, who announces Moses' death, causing the angels in heaven to weep "as never before." In between, Sobel conjures a full celestial host?including, perhaps most memorably, the Angel of Death, "with a serpent's head and thousands of eyes"?that lends this account the potent air of a "legend," as Wiesel says in his introduction, that is "magical, thus mystical, evolving on the other side of reality." Sobel's prose, strong and direct, is perfectly balanced by the numerous, beautiful and evocative paintings by Podwal (The Book of Tens, etc.). Their light yet bold images in supple colors?luminous gold, azure blue, pomegranate?give great lift to the storytelling. The result is a book that evokes ancient truth while displaying considerable charm. Of appeal to both adults and children, this volume is highly recommended to those interested in seeing a familiar story with fresh eyes. A welcome alternative to the many spin-offs of the current Dreamworks film Prince of Egypt, the book deserves a wide readership.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-In this embellished story of Moses, legions of angels and archangels are by his side from his birth, which is lit by both the sun and moon, through his entry into heaven, lifted up by Michael, Gabriel, and Zagzagel. Each well-known phase of his life-his rescue by Pharaoh's daughter, his escape from Egypt after killing a cruel overseer, his marriage to Zipporah, the burning bush, the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the wandering in the wilderness, and the receipt of the Ten Commandments-is enriched by fabulous details of angel activity and accompanied by additional miracles in the best tradition of storytelling about holy people. Written in a sprightly style and illustrated in a simple, flat technique with imaginative, eerie, brightly colored pictures of a purple pharaoh, peach-colored scorpions in the desert, an evil-looking golden calf, a bright blue Balaam's ass, etc., this is an entertaining and unusual addition to standard versions of Moses's life.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
