You Never Know: A Legend of the Lamed-vavniks [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Francine Prose (Author), Mark Podwal (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Jewish tradition inspires this original tale about Schmuel the shoemaker, called Poor Stupid Schmuel by the townsfolk of Plotchnik because of his habit of forgetting to charge his customers. When a 40-day (and 40-night) drought threatens the town, the rabbi and other worthies pray for rain, but only when Schmuel prays does rain indeed fall. The rain continues for another 40 days and nights; once again, only Schmuel's prayers restore balance. A dream shows the rabbi that Schmuel is one of the 36 righteous men who, according to legend, are born to every generation (lamed-vav is Hebrew for 36). But when the townspeople go to Schmuel's shop, he has disappeared: a Lamed-vavnik's identity must remain secret. As in their previous Jewish folktales Dybbuk and The Angel's Mistake, Prose and Podwal bring an unusual agility to their work. The text unspools its mystical themes within familiar groovesAa butcher, baker and candlestick maker join their prayers to those of the rabbi; the wind howls and a cold wind blows out the lamps and candles as the congregants beg God to stop the rain. And even when depicting the downpour, Podwal's artAspontaneous in its lines, Chagallian in its referentsAfeels light and springlike. Fresh and memorable. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 4?While this legend is of Jewish origin, the ideals of righteousness and equality among human beings (wealthy and poor, learned and simple) are inherent in many religious and cultural teachings throughout the world. Poor Schmuel, the town cobbler of Plotchnik, has a reputation for doing stupid things, which are actually acts of kindness. When a drought threatens the town, he alone is able to communicate with God, first bringing rain and then making the rain cease. The Rabbi eventually realizes that Schmuel is a Lamed-vavnik, one of the 36 righteous individuals living in the world who do good deeds. As the legend goes, once their existence is discovered, they disappear. And so it is with Schmuel. Prose, who cites several sources, uses the simple style of the storyteller to tell this tale, which makes it an excellent read-aloud. By successfully avoiding a heavy-handed lesson, she allows children to discover the meaning for themselves. Podwal uses gouache and colored pencils to create both the smeary look of oils and the flatness of tempera. His abstract paintings are done primarily in earthy tones of brown and sky blue, and the pictures are filled with representations of Jewish symbols. Despite these images, however, this accessible tale has universal appeal and will provide enjoyment as well as food for discussion.?Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow; 1st edition (May 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688158064
• ISBN-13: 978-0688158064
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,036,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One thing I know, May 30, 2000

By	D.R. Russell "Russ" (Boston) - See all my reviews

A Lamed-Vavnik disappears/ Amongst us all for years and years./ This book should last for years as well/ A classic tale, as time will tell

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent kids book, January 18, 2000

By	Andy B. (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

Wonderful illustrations and a fabulous moral tale. Recommend for 4-6 year olds. It's a little over the head of my 3, but she's interested anyway.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quiet as the stars, December 15, 2001

By	Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Schmuel was a shoemaker whom the other people in Plotchnik called Poor Schmuel or Poor Stupid Schmuel because he often forgot to charge his customers and if they forgot pay, forgot to ask. But always somehow magically appeared whenever trouble emerged. To a beggar who came to town, Schmuel gave free and to a fierce bear which arrived in the streets, he gave a bowl of water.

No one cared if he prayed, because they figured he was too stupid to read, and God could therefore not hear them. When, during a drought everyone prayed for rain and none came, Schmuel meekly said from the rear of the synagogue, "Maybe I should pray. Please, God, send rain." Immediately, distant thunder roared, the sky blackened and huge raindrops began tapping on the town's roofs.

It rained for forty days and forty nights. Now the people prayed for the rain to stop, with equal success. Only when Schmuel said, "God, please make it stop raining" did the sun immediately appear.

That night the rabbi dreamed of Chanukah menorahs with 36 candles, and a banquet with 36 men. These were the Lamed Vavniks.

Lamed WHAT? Sorry, if you don't know, you'll have to get the book, which contains secrets about this special breed. If you know already, shhh! Stay as quiet as the stars, and let the Lamed Vavniks shine as brightly. Alyssa A. Lappen