Customer Reviews

Sarah Laughs (Bible)

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This is the second book in publisher Kar-Ben's series of Bible stories for young children. Author Jacqueline Jules uses flowing rich text to describe the events leading up to Isaac's birth. She brings a beauty and grace to Sarah in her descriptions of her that one wouldn't think of because in the Bible story, Sarah doesn't deliver Isaac until she's well into her old age - she was childless for so long! Along with the fantastic illustrations by Natascia Ugliano, Jacqueline leads us through what she feels would be the sweetness and giving nature of Sarah, despite her barren state, and her generosity of spirit in telling her husband that perhaps he should take a second wife so that he can have children for his old age. This story is truly beautiful in its simplicity, and I highly recommend this for any parent wanting a gentle book to read to their child and read a Bible story to them at the same time!

Sarah lived in Ur thousands of years ago. Sarah, whose name means "princess," was a lively person who drew everyone to her with her smile and laughter. Happy people always draw others to them, don't they? When she grew up she met a very religious man named Abraham. They married because she knew he was a special man. They only worshiped one God, not idols like many others and they sought to teach others the message.

Abraham followed God wherever he wanted him to go. He often heard God talking to him and told Sarah that "God promised this land to our children," yet they had none. As they grew old together she remembered the promise and grew sad. Sarah's smile faded and she no longer laughed. One day some visitors came to visit and spoke to Abraham. "By this time next year, your wife will have a child." Was this true or would her dreams be shattered once again?

This beloved Bible story comes to life with the endearing art work and poetic retelling of Abraham and Sarah's faith and partnership. This is a beautifully rendered tale is one that any parent would want to add to their library as an introduction to Bible stories.

I like the pictures they are very colorful and bright. The story is great to read to a class or for at home.I enjoyed it.

Sarah Laughs is wonderfully done and well story well illustrated book. I recommend this book for children 3 years old-to 9 years old. It is too sophisticated for children under 3, even if the child is very bright.

Not every bible story can be successfully translated into a book for young children. Perhaps the story of the childless Sarah's laugh is one of these. The attractive paperback picture book, nevertheless attempts it, and succeeds in many ways. When Sarah understands, that in spite of her advanced age, she will bear a child in a year, she laughs her famous laugh. The book describes this as a "tinkling sound that bubbled from deep inside her and skipped through the air". Whether or not the sound was as lighthearted as that, we cannot say. Sarah is presented as a beautiful and loyal wife, as well as a generous and welcoming host. The author shows that growing old childless was a source of sadness and worry for Sarah. Natascia Ugliano's bright illustrations show a very pretty dark haired young woman, growing older throughout the story. Giving young children an acquaintance with our important matriarchs in the Tanach is important. Perhaps more accessible to children than Sarah's laugh, and the conundrum of the childless wife in the bible, is Abraham's lonely and original belief in an invisible God, and his decision to listen to God's directions. God speaks to Abraham and he listens. He leaves his home and journeys to Canaan. Sarah, who seems not hear God's voice herself, listens as Abraham relates what he understands. Author Jacqueline Jules provides interesting bibliographical notes at the end of the book so that adults who read this may be inspired to explore the matriarch Sarah further. Bound by Kar-Ben in paperback, 10" x 10", and illustrated with bright pastels in softened primary colors, the book has a lot of child appeal. Colorful tents, sheep, cattle, baskets and jugs, decorate the pages. The succinct text on each page make the story brief enough to read aloud to young children, in groups or individually. For ages 4 to 7. Reviewed by Naomi Morse

In this picture book for older children, author Jacqueline Jules tells the biblical story of the elderly Sarah who laughs to herself when she overhears visitors telling Abraham that she will bear a child the following year. When her son is born, she calls him Isaac, meaning laughter. The story begins with God's promise to the young Abraham to make his children and children's children as many as the stars in the sky, and makes the text from sections of Genesis 12, 15-18, and 21 accessible to 5-9-year-olds. Jules' rich, fluid prose transports the reader/listener from Ur to Canaan, telling the various midrashim (legends based on biblical text) that fill in the thoughts and feelings that are missing from the literal translation, while staying admirably true to the actual text. Even difficult parts of the story, like Sarah's offer to Abraham of her handmaid Hagar to conceive an heir, are explained in language an elementary school child can handle. The neutral language makes this book useful for readers of many faiths. Natascia Ugliano's vibrant illustrations bring the text to life and show the sweet, generous and loving personality of Sarah, as well as starry nights and windswept deserts on the way to Canaan. Highly recommended as a beautiful story on its own, as a child's introduction to the Bible story, or even for older students in day school or religious school to use as text study by comparing it to the biblical text. - DEBBIE COLODNY, SEFER SO GOOD - Libertyville, IL