Purim Play [Hardcover]

Roni Schotter (Author), Marylin Hafner (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Every year, when people are winter-weary and longing for spring, Purim comes and it's time for play--time for the annual Purim play, that is! Frannie's two cousins always come to Frannie's house to celebrate Purim and reenact the story of how brave Queen Esther saved the Jewish people. But this year, the cousins are sick with the flu, and Frannie's mom, without asking Frannie, has invited old Mrs. Teplitzky from down the street to play the role of the evil Haman. Can this topsy-turvy play go on? Full color .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Schotter's clever introduction to Purim, the show must go on, even if two performers have the flu. Every year, Frannie, her brother Ezra, and their two cousins put on a Purim play, reenacting the Bible story of how Queen Esther saved the Jews from the evil prime minister Haman. When her cousins fall ill and can't perform, Frannie is disappointed that her neighbor Mrs. Teplitzky offers to play one of the roles. But her worries are soon put to rest when Mrs. Teplitzky, who used to be a real actress, arrives in a splendid costume. Within this framework, Schotter weaves in details about hamantaschen (the special Purim pastries) and the tradition of mishloah manot (sending Purim sweets to relatives and friends). Hafner's lively watercolors depict a busy, close-knit family enjoying last-minute holiday preparations. Two helpful endnotes explain the story of Purim and how it is celebrated, and a recipe for "Mama's Famous 'Bet-You-Can't-Eat-Just-One' Apricot-Orange Hamantaschen" is also included. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Frannie and her siblings celebrate Purim by re-enacting the story on which the holiday is based. This year, however, their play is in danger because their cousins have the flu and can't take part. The children are surprised and dismayed to learn that their mother has recruited a neighbor, Mrs. Teplitzky, who speaks with a "funny" accent, to play the evil Haman, who intended to kill all of the Jews. The elderly widow turns out to be a superb villain and steals the show. She also becomes a friend. Woven into the text are customs associated with the holiday. A page of information about the history of Purim and another on how it is celebrated round out the book. Cheerful watercolor illustrations and cartoonlike characters full of expression complement a warm, lively text.?Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv); 1st edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316775185
• ISBN-13: 978-0316775182
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,386,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet as Hamantaschen, April 3, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Purim Play (Hardcover)

Purim celebrates the story of Queen Esther, who married Persia's King Ahasueras and saved the Jewish people from the wicked Haman, who plotted to kill them all. On Purim, Jewish congregations retell the long happy tale (hence the phrase, the whole Megillah) and often give a Purim spiel, or play. Children attend costumed as Haman, Mordechai or Esther, and jeer and swing their noisemakers each time Haman's name is read.

This fun volume includes the Purim story and a play, given by Frannie and her cousins at home. Too bad, the cousin who usually plays Haman has the flu. Frannie's mother has invited Mrs. Teplitzky to take his part.

The children expect the worst of their widowed neighbor. But Mrs. Teplitzky arrives festooned in a very multi-colored robe, tri-cornered hat and convincing beard, and admits that she was once an actress. The plot thickens from there.

A three-page appendix includes the full tale of Esther, her cousin Mordechai, Ahasueras and of course Haman, a page on how the holiday is celebrated and a recipe for the tri-cornered Purim cookies named Hamantaschen for Haman's hat. Alyssa A. Lappen