One City, Two Brothers [Hardcover]

Chris Smith (Author), Aurelia Fronty (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

A folktale heard in synagogues, mosques and churches across Near East and beyond, the story of how the city of Jerusalem came to be has been passed along for hundreds of years. In this gorgeously illustrated book, storyteller Chris Smith shows how two brothers find peace by seeing themselves in each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Framed by a story of King Solomon that deals with two squabbling brothers, this tale tells of two other, quite different brothers. They live in two villages, sharing the land between them. For years, they have divided their harvest. One abundant year, the elder brother, who has a wife and children, worries that his unmarried brother needs to save for his old age. Secretly he brings extra grain to his brother s storehouse. Yet the next morning, the elder brother seems to have the same amount of grain as before. Meanwhile, the younger brother has been worrying, too; his elder brother has a family to be fed. He is secretly bringing grain to his sibling, then finding his own storehouse still full. The mystery is solved when the brothers meet on the hilltop, each with a donkey laden with grain. The blessed spot where they meet becomes Jerusalem. Based on a folktale told by both Jews and Arabs, this picture book beautifully captures the spirit of brotherhood and gives both readers and listeners hope for what could be if people thought more about one another than about themselves. The accomplished folk-style artwork, in shades of verdant green, heavenly blue, and harvest orange and yellow, does more than illustrate the story; it adds an air of peace and hope to which children will respond. --Booklist (Starred Review), Oct. 1, 2007

About the Author

Chris Smith is a storyteller who has also worked with UNICEF and Oxfam on the West Bank and in Gaza. The power of traditional stories is a source of inspiration for Chris, and he wrote this book to combine his love of story with the wish for the people of Israel and Palestine to find peace. Chris has two daughters, and lives in Oxford, England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books; 1st edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846860423
• ISBN-13: 978-1846860423
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lesson we all should learn..., November 25, 2007

By 

C.E. - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One City, Two Brothers (Hardcover)

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As we are raising our children in an increasingly diverse world, we come in contact with other cultures, ideas, customs, and actions that seem foreign and even frightening. At its heart, this book soothes those fears and builds on the foundation of brotherhood, kindness, and looking beyond the mark to something better.
A good tale about two brothers and their concern for each other- as well as its ramifications into the future. I have never heard this folktale before and was quite enchanted with it. My two daughters loved it and it served to reinforce the values that we are striving to teach them.
The story flowed nicely, with words that were well chosen and added a great pace to the story. The artwork is vivid and unique, a style all its own with great visual impact. This is a great book to have and i am so pleased that i was able to add it to my collection a little earlier than most! :) Highly reccomended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One City, Two Brothers, March 20, 2008

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One City, Two Brothers (Hardcover)

When two brothers come to Solomon with a dispute about land inheritance, the king tells them the story of two other brothers who secretly transfer grain, each from his own stock to add to his brother's storehouse in the night. In the morning, they are puzzled and dismayed to find their own stores undiminished and, the next night, try again. On the third night, each bearing more sacks of grain for the other, they meet and embrace. This spot becomes the site of the holy temple and the very city of Jerusalem. The legend about Jerusalem has been widely told in English collections of Jewish folklore for generations. What makes this telling different is that Smith, who spent time working in Gaza and the West Bank, now casts it as a Palestinian Arab tale. He steps neutrally through the narrative, except that God is not mentioned as blessing the spot where the two brothers meet. No synagogues are present in any of the city scapes. Asterisks appear near proper names, such as Solomon, where Muslim readers might want to add "may peace be upon him." The production is certainly lovely. Stately Arab brothers move through acrylic blues and greens and reds that fill each page with rich color and simply illuminate the action. Smith took liberty to wrap the story of two loving brothers within the frame of two squabblers, which reinforces the theme of sharing. With his best wishes for peace, it is also unfortunate that Smith gives no sources for his claims in the afterward that this story belongs to both Arabs and Jews. Was it first told by an Arab farmer to a traveler? Is it now told by Arabs who live around Jerusalem? Right now, with Waldman's and Freedman's picture books out of print, this is the only illustrated retelling of the tale. It is a beautiful tale of unselfishness, though not presented here as a Jewish one. For ages 4-8. Reviewed by Sharon Elswit

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jewish/Arab Generational Folktale, January 2, 2008

By 

prisrob "pris," (New England USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: One City, Two Brothers (Hardcover)

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Chris Smith explains in his author's note that he draws the linked stories of "One City, Two Brothers" not from scripture but from an oral folktale told for generations by both Jews and Arabs living in the Holy Land.

'One City, Two Brothers' by Chris Smith is a striking looking book-Aurelia Fronty, the illustrator has used brilliant blues, greens, orange and reds that instantly attract the eye. The inside cover shows white doves flying by red-heart shaped flowers. Each page is beautifully illustrated and any child or adult will be pleasantly surprised with this book.

The story is one of two parables- two sets of brothers; one who love each other and do everything in their power to share their goods and love each other. The other set are always quarreling and seek Solomon to solve their dilemma. Solomon tells them the story of the two brothers who shared their lives and their goods and the place where they met became a place of peace called Jerusalem. Children will come to understand the moral that loving and assisting each other instead of squabbling with each other is the higher ground and the best road to take. The story of Jerusalem is an additional teaching lesson- both Arabs and Jews want Jerusalem as their own. The history of that area is rich in stories and lore.

'One City, Two Brothers' has been nominated as finalist for the Cybil Awards. "Because The Cybil's is a blogger-run, blogger-inspired awards process, we operate with the expectation of openness and transparency. Any reader can nominate a book through the Cybil blog" Cybil Award Blog

This book receives high marks from me. A beautiful story told in parable form and a beautifully illustrated book with rich strong colors.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 01-02-08