Amy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrated by Denise Turu
Flyaway Books, 32 pages
In recent years Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso have taken to writing children’s stories based upon biblical texts. This wonderful pair and is enhanced by illustrator Denise Turu who provides delightful illustrations. In this telling of the familiar story, the Blues and the Yellows are people who never mix. They live in fear of one another and make a habit of avoiding each other. That begins to change when one of the Blues is in an accident. What happens after that, of course, is what makes this tale so delightful for families and children. In re-casting the story of the Good Samaritan, the authors (both Jewish) provide an opportunity to consider the meaning of friendship. What happens when neighbors who are strangers actually become friends? Children learn from their parents about how to engage those who are different from them. This book can be a great asset for parents who want their children to know the difference between stranger and neighbor. It will help those who want the core message of the Good Samaritan to be embedded in the ethics of their family. The authors provide a commentary for educators and parents. I can imagine this being a regular bedtime story as well as resource for children’s sermons. The illustrations are superb.
