Benjamin and the Silver Goblet

Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, written by Jacqueline Jules, is the story of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers after being sold into slavery. The story is told from the younger brother Benjamin’s perspective, hence the title of the book.

After Joseph was sold into slavery, a famine spread across the land. Joseph’s older brothers traveled to Egypt to find food. They left Benjamin, the youngest, behind. When they returned, Simeon did not come with them. They told their father the governor of Egypt had accused them of being spies. When they tried to explain they had come to Egypt to get food for their father and younger brother at home, the governor said he didn’t believe them. He forced Simeon to stay behind until the rest returned with Benjamin.

On the return journey to Egypt, they took Benjamin with them. He overheard a conversation between his older brothers while they were talking about what they did to Joseph, how they sold him into slavery and then told their father he died after being attacked by a wild animal. When Benjamin heard the truth, he was afraid his brothers might do the same to him.

But, when they reached the city, they found their brother Simeon waiting for them. He had been well taken care of in their absence. The governor invited the brothers to a feast. During the meal, Benjamin got extra attention and extra food. After the meal, the governor told the brothers their bags would be filled with grain and they could return to their home the next day.

But after the brothers left the city, they were stopped by the governor’s men. The governor’s silver goblet had been stolen and everyone’s bags had to be searched. The silver goblet was found in Benjamin’s bag. All the brothers were arrested, including Benjamin, and taken back to the city.

When they returned to the city and were taken before the governor, Joseph told them they could all return home - - all of them except the one who had the silver goblet. That person was Benjamin. The brothers refused to leave Benjamin behind. It was then that Joseph finally revealed himself as being the governor. He recognized his brothers but they didn’t recognize him. He told them he was testing them to see if they were willing to betray another brother like they had betrayed him. When he found out their hearts had changed, he welcomed them with open arms. The brothers were very glad to learn Joseph was still alive.

The painted illustrations by Natascia Ugliano are vivid and expressive and done in muted colors that are appropriate for a book of this nature.

What I Like: I like having the story told from a different Benjamin’s perspective. It gives the story a different and interesting slant.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really. I just feel like I must point out that because the story is told from Benjamin’s point of view, the author took some poetic license with the details from the Biblical story. However, I think the story is enhanced with this retelling.

Also, there are no Biblical references for the story, as the story is slanted towards a Jewish audience (please see “Special Info”).

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Kar-ben Publishing, 2009; ISBN: 9780822587583; Paperback, $8.95.

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Special Info: This book was published by Kar-ben Publishing, a publisher who specializes in Jewish picture books. The only reference to Judaism is in the Author’s Note at the end of the book where he cites some Jewish texts for his story (the Bible is not mentioned).

Visit the author’s website. Read our reviews of other books written by Jacqueline Jules. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Natascia Ugliano.

Abraham's Search for God

If you're looking for a book that tells the biblical story of Abraham, Jacqueline Jules' Abraham's Search for God will disappoint you. If, however, you approach this picture book as a work of fiction - an imagining of what the boy Abram might have experienced in his search for God - you and your child may enjoy it greatly.
Jules begins by introducing us to the boy Abraham (she does not mention that his name was originally Abram) who lived thousands of years ago in the city of Ur. We learn that people of this time prayed to many different idols - mere statues of clay or stone. But Abraham, the author says, didn't feel this was right. "Idols have mouths but cannot speak to me. They have ears but cannot hear me. How can an idol help me?" he wonders. Although his father scolds him for these musings, Abraham seeks out the true Creator.
One day, Abraham stays out late, and the dark frightens him. Then a full moon appears...and Abraham thinks he's found something greater than idols. The moon, which lifts the darkness, must be a god; he prays to it. But in the morning, he watches the sun overtake the moon, and imagines the sun must be the ruler of all things - so he prays to it. But then clouds overtake the sun and the sky darkens. It rains and thunders. "Thunder!" Abraham cries. "You sent away the sun and made the earth shake. Are you the ruler of the world?" After a time, the clouds part and a giant rainbow fills the sky. Did the rainbow stop the fierce thunder? Then Abraham notices the sun take over once more...and after a time, the moon. He wonders who makes the sun and moon take turns.
Unable to sleep, Abraham ponders these things. "One great power rules the entire universe and sets everything in motion. This great power is the one true God," the boy decides. Still, Abraham continues seeking. He wonders where God is and how he can know God is really there, since he can't see him. He looks around at the flowers and the birds and feels the warm breeze on his face.

"Suddenly Abraham knew. 'God is everywhere. God is in everything. God is something we know with our hearts...' Every part of his being joined in a prayer: One God of earth and skies. you fill my heart and eyes."

From then on, the author says, Abraham worshiped the one true God. And when he grew up, he led others to this God. Jules ends: "Today, we remember Abraham as the father of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam."
What I Like: Jules' writing style is simple, yet doesn't dumb things down. In many ways, this is a book full of complex ideas, but even young children can understand its basic meaning. Too, the illustrations by Natascia Ugliano are gorgeous - rich and vibrant and full of interest.
What I Dislike: This book is not for everyone, due to the mixing of biblical fact and creative fiction. I recommend it for older children, who have a good basic understanding of the biblical story of Abraham. It's a good idea to explain to children that Abraham's Search for God is based on Jewish myth, and we don't really know if this is how Abraham discovered the one true God. Some Christian parents will object that Abraham is shown praying to the sun and moon (even though he realizes later they aren't gods).
Overall Rating: Very Good.
Age Appeal: The publisher recommends 4 - 8.
Publishing Info: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2007; ISBN: 158013243X; hard back, $17.95
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Special Info: To read other reviews books by this author, please click here.

Sarah Laughs

Sarah Laughs by Jacqueline Jules does an excellent job making the story of Sarah kid-friendly and accessible.

Jules begins by explaining that "thousands and thousands of years ago," a beautiful girl named Sarah lived. Everyone stopped to look as Sarah gathered water at the well. Her eyes sparkled "like water in the sunshine," and when she laughed, "the whole world" clapped hands with joy over the sound. Sarah married a man named Abraham. He was different from most of the other people Sarah knew because "he worshipped one invisible God who was too powerful to be made into a simple statue of wood or stone." Together, Sarah and Abraham bring others to God.

One day, Abraham heard God's voice. God wants them to leave their home, so Sarah, Abraham, and many others live as nomads ("people who wander from one place to another searching for food and water"). Later, God promises to give the land the couple are now traveling to Abraham and Sarah's children. Another night, Abraham has a dream in which God says Abraham and Sarah's ancestors will be too numerous to count. Sarah's delighted to hear this, "but she did not laugh." Sarah doesn't laugh much anymore. Her heart longs for a child.

As Sarah grows older, she fears she will never have a baby, so she tells Abraham he should take a second wife. "In those days, many men had more than one wife." Sarah suggests her servant Hagar. Hagar bears a son, but Sarah's heart is still sad.

Years passed and Sarah's hair turned grey. "Her bright smile still made the sun wink, but she did not laugh." Then one day, three visitors show up. They are actually angels, and they predict that in a year's time, Sarah will have a baby.

"Sarah put her hands on her wrinkled cheeks. A tinkling sound bubbled from deep inside her and it skipped through the air. 'I am too old,' she laughed. 'And my husband is too old!'"

Nonetheless, Sarah soon gives birth to a son, whom she names Isaac, which means "laughter." Sarah laughed and "the whole world clapped hands and laughed with her."

What I Like: It isn't often you run across a biblically-themed picture book that's as beautifully written as this one. Jules, with her poetic turn of phrase, has done an excellent job making this story interesting to young children and adults alike. The illustrations by Natascia Ugliano are a perfect companion to the text; her gorgeous watercolors are full of rich hues and lively faces.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 9 - 12, but my two year old loves this book, too.

Publishing Info: Kar-Ben Publishing, 2008; ISBN: 0822572168; hardback, $17.95.

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Special Info: You may wish to visit the author's website.