Customer Reviews

The Story of Queen Esther

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In this attractive yet simplified retelling of the Purim story, it is the richly toned pastel illustrations that take center stage. Utilizing a palette of deep red, midnight blue and gold, the Persian influenced two-page spreads carry the familiar story forward with an exotic appeal. Yet, as with any old and oft-told story, the text reveals certain liberties taken with familiar elements of the tale that ultimately determine the intended audience. For example, the back-story that leads to Esther becoming queen is reduced to a single sentence referring only to her beauty. Mordecai, far from encouraging Esther in her quest to become queen (and to ultimately save her people), is unhappy when King Ahasuerus chooses her for his wife. And once Haman's evil decree to kill all the Jews is exposed and Haman is punished, Mordecai simply tears up the order and all is well. While not serious omissions, these editorial choices lessen the opportunity to discuss certain aspects of the story (i.e., the Jews fighting victoriously for their survival when the decree cannot be reversed). Thus, this version seems better suited for younger children who will enjoy the brilliantly colored illustrations, fear for the beautiful dark-haired Esther as she approaches the King uninvited, and hiss at Haman when he is led off to the gallows built for Mordecai. While not as thorough a telling as Dianne Wolkstein's Esther's Story (1991), this is a visually appealing version that will find its place amongst others in your collection. Ages 5 - 8. Teri Markson

The Story of Queen Esther is a picturebook retelling of the Biblical story of Queen Esther, a brave, beautiful Jewish girl who became the Queen of Persia and risked her life to save her people from execution. Featuring Grizelda Holderness' beautiful, color illustrations inspired by Persian artwork, The Story of Queen Esther is sure to entrance young readers of all faiths. "When Mordecai heard the terrible news, he quickly sent a message to Esther : 'Only you can save us now! Go to the king and beg him to be merciful.' Esther sent a message back: 'Anyone who goes before the king uninvited will be put to death - even I, the queen.' 'You must go,' Mordecai replied. 'Very well,' said Esther, 'I will go to him. But first, you and I must fast and pray to prepare ourselves.'" Highly recommended.

This beautifully illustrated book is doomed, by its flawed text, to appeal only to people who look at Scripture as myth. So many aspects of the story are changed or deleted. For example, the scriptures never say exactly when the assassinatin plot was discovered, but Koralek writes that it was on Esther's wedding day. According to her, only Esther and Mordacai fasted, and she tells us what they prayed for, which is more than the bible tells us. She says that the king's "face blazed with anger" when Esther entered his prescence uninvited, which is wrong, and the list goes on and on. Most sadly of all, she omits the most treasured verse of this story (Esther 4:14), when Mordecai challenges Esther to look at her queenly position as a gift from God to save her people. Simplifying a bible story for a young audience does not give us the right to change the details!