God's Mailbox (Paperback)

by Marc Gellman (Author), Debbie Tilley (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Rabbi Gellman's stories about stories in the Bible-or modern midrashim, if you prefer-will delight parents and children alike. Using imagination and humor-did you know about the 11th-16th commandments that Moses wrote on his sleeve but his wife washed off?-Gellman's retellings of Bible stories provide readers with whole new perspectives on stories they may have known for years. The story about how Moses and a wisecracking frog convinced Pharaoh to let the Jews leave Egypt is particularly funny and contains elements that would surely make God smile, if not laugh out loud. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7?As demonstrated in Does God Have a Big Toe? (HarperCollins, 1989) and How Do You Spell God? (Morrow, 1995), Rabbi Gellman is an expert at making Bible stories interesting and accessible. Using a thoroughly modern vocabulary, a completely informal style, and plenty of sly humor, he highlights the Creation, the Garden of Eden, Jacob's ladder, the Exodus, Moses and the Ten Commandments (expanded here to 16), and bits of wisdom from Leviticus and Deuteronomy. As little as one Scripture verse inspires a neat lesson, as it is expanded into a clever new form, complete with lots of hip dialogue and amusing anachronistic details. The danger of trivializing the sacred is avoided by the appropriate, unmistakable message in each tale and the retention of the basic characters and events. Unabashedly urging readers to love the Bible, God, and people, Gellman shows them that human experience hasn't changed. Some knowledge of the original stories is almost essential to appreciate fully these interpretive expansions of Scripture. Their positive points, made with humor and simplicity, however, are valid far beyond the Judeo-Christian tradition.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (September 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688163637
• ISBN-13: 978-0688163631
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #622,071 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Book, October 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Mailbox: More Stories About Stories in the Bible (School & Library Binding)

I was struggling to help my 6 year old understand, at her level, the meaning behind the ten commandments and other bible stories. This book hit the nail on the head. Everyone needs to read the section on the 6th commandment ("You Shall Not Murder"). We take turns reading it and each chapter has enabled us to have fabulous discussions. This book is a gem that we will treasure.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars it could've been a lot better., May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Mailbox: More Stories About Stories in the Bible (School & Library Binding)

The story about Adam and Eve was great! After that it just got worse and worse. I suggest if you have the book, just read the story about adam and Eve.