Book Review of Avram’s Gift
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The Children’s Book Review
Avram’s Gift
Written by Margie Blumberg
Illustrated by Laurie McGaw
Ages: 7+ | 57 Pages
Publisher: MB Publishing (2017) | ISBN: 978-0-9624166-3-7
What to Expect: Family, immigration, Jewish culture, celebration, and new beginnings.
In this beautiful story, readers will travel through five generations of family history and tradition, from a poor village in Russia to a new life in Baltimore.
Mark loves the holidays and traditions that shape his family’s heritage—especially Yom Kippur and the blowing of the shofar. But there is one family tradition that he does not like—the stern and unsmiling photograph of his great-great-grandfather Avram that his parents insist on hanging on the wall outside his bedroom. Then, one Rosh Hashanah, Mark’s grandfather Morris tells a story that changes Mark’s mind forever about Avram: it’s the story of Morris’s childhood in Russia and the beloved grandfather who cared for him and gave him his own shofar. Knowing this story, Mark finally understands what makes Avram so special to the family—and that being a great shofar blower runs in his blood!
Mark is a character with reverence for his family and religion but also a young boy with an impartial understanding; through his eyes, readers will grow their own knowledge of how love and family shape history and culture. The story is filled with glowing descriptions of the sights, sounds, and tastes of Jewish tradition, and softly colored illustrations lend their own festive atmosphere. At the end of the book, readers will find information about a real-life shofar blower and tips on how to improve their own shofar blowing, as well as a glossary of Hebrew terms and a recipe for traditional honey cake, helping them immerse more fully in the traditions described in the story.
Avram’s Gift is beautiful, instructive, and moving, perfect for learning about and celebrating Jewish culture and history.
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About the Author
Margie Blumberg publishes picture books, chapter books, and middle grade and young adult novels. Among her own titles are Avram’s Gift, the Carrot Cake Park Tales series (Breezy Bunnies, Sunny Bunnies, Busy Bunnies, and Snowy Bunnies), Paris Hop!, and Bunny Romero’s White House Adventure: The Whole Megillah! Margie’s company’s other books include A Gefilte Fishy Tale, written by Allison and Wayne Marks and illustrated by Renée Andriani; Tutti’s Promise by K. Heidi Fishman; and Celtic Run: A Jake McGreevy Novel (Book 1 of 3) by Sean Vogel. In her spare time, Margie enjoys reading, biking, playing piano, and watching classic movies on TCM.
Visit MBPublishing.com to learn more.
About the Illustrator
Laurie McGaw, illustrator of Avram’s Gift (watercolor on board), is well known for her vibrant portraits of such renowned figures as jazz artists Oscar Peterson and Gene Di Novi and film director Norman Jewison. She is also known for her other award-winning illustrated books, such as Polar the Titanic Bear, nominated for a Governor General’s Award, as well as for many collectors’ coins that she has designed for the Royal Canadian Mint. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (now OCAD University), and a former instructor there, Laurie continues to teach. Whether in commissioned works, illustrations, or historical paintings, her love is painting people. Laurie McGaw’s work has been featured in books, magazines, and private and corporate collections for over 30 years. People are drawn to her work because of her ability to reveal the sitter’s inner qualities with warmth and respect.
Visit https://lauriemcgaw.com/portfolio/ to see more of her beautiful work.
For more information, visit https://www.mbpublishing.com/avrams-gift.
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