Books for the Younger Set Rich in Jewish Lore Children's book shelves need ex- as a result of recently published stories for the young of all ages. A large number of volumes of Jewish interest. many by Jewish authors, with Jew ish illustra- tors, emerge as contributing fac- tors towards the enlarge in e n t of the library devot- ed to youth. A cooperative effort between Sabra Books, the Taslitt 'srael publishing project. and Funk and Wagnalls has aided in the expansion of chil- dren's book publishing. A number of splendid titles, on general and historical subjects, relating to Is- rael. the Diaspora, Bible and other heroes. enhance this collection of not able works. Of interest to Bible students is fun- risks in order to become fledged member of the new tion that is being forged, and to be able to stand on his own two feet. When in the spring of 1967, wt clouds gather 83- er the Middl East. large Arab forces surround) Israel and promise a war of de- struction. The emergency situation that Uri Cohen has trained for all those years arrives. He is now called on to lead a group of frogmen com- mandos whose mission is to sabotage Egyptian naval units. This takes place in the early stages of the Six-Day War between Israel and the Arab countries. The details of the Israeli frog- man operations in the Six-Day War are still shrouded in secrecy, but as the author says in her dedica- tion, this hook is ''for Uri and his power and exacted vengeance from the Philistines. In "Samson —The Strongest Boy Who Ever Lived." Israel I. Taslitt, an American writer who now re- sides in Tel Aviv, draws upon the famous story for a full-length tale in which Samson is portray- ed in his youth, before he had Mg of the state of Israel. Although fictional, this young readers' novel is based on fact the tenuous kind of fact that keeps Israel alive from day to day. It paints an exciting and dramatic pansion friends. whose experiences served as background, for this book." The same determination and sta- mina which gain. Uri admission to the frogmen's unit give him the strength to face his own inner the story of the hero who fought. weaknesses and mature into a man defeated, was himself shorn of who is a vital force in the slap engaged in battle against the Philistines. Taslitt wrote his story for popu- lar youth consumption. In this Sabra-Funk and Wagnalls product. he has portrayed a fantasy—Sam- son before he was shorn of his power, Samson who was readying to become his people's savior, Samson who was to come to Gaza to wage battle against the enemies of the Israelites. Inspired by legend from histor- ical records, the Samson story lends itself well as an inspiration for children who love adventure. who admire courage. Samson as depicted by TaSlitt possess these qualities. The Taslitt story, illustrated by Luisada, has the special merit of introducing his readers to the Is- rael panorama, to the cities where. in the Bible story, Samson was to emerge the hero, albeit he was to suffer tragedy. 7 PATH BENEATH THE SEA Another Sabra Book-Funk and Wagnalls volume worthy of special note is the story about a Moroc- can youth. "Path Beneath the Sea by Devorah Omer. The au- thor of this splendid narrative had written a previous important work, "The Gideonites," in which was related the story of the famous Jewish woman who contributed to Israel's early history — Sarah Aaronsohn's epic role in the early days of Zionist pioneering. Miss Omer, a kibutz-trained young woman, has caught the spirit of Israeli youth's interest in adventure and in the conglomerate character of Israel. In her new story she deals with a boy from Morocco, his life as an immigrant when he arrives in Israel at the age of 16, how he becomes a frog- man and how his love for the sea gives him status as a citizen of the homeland to which he returned and in which he finds respect. pride, courage. The mysterious activities of the Israeli Navy's most elite corps. its frogmen, are the absorbing subject of "Path Beneath the Sea." It is the story of that division's mag- netic lure for young Taboul Cohen. The book was published on May 14, the 21st anniversary of Israel's independence. Taboul changes his name to Uri; he trains hard and becomes an expert diver. He realizes from the very first that the men in this spe- cial group of volunteers can, in an emergency, be called upon to undertake the most.dangerous mis picture of the heroic exploits of Israel s volunteer frogmen and at the same time depicts a disadvan- taged immigrant's problems of acculturation into Israeli society. "Path Beneath the Sea" is an excellently written tale that adds immensely to the available narra- tives about Israel and Israelis. Its author gains status as a writer of tales for the young in and about Israel. Her story was translated from discuss them, then we should do captive who learns the terrors of so modestly by using euphem- slavery. isms and metaphors." How he comes to New England, Dr. Rosenthal's introductory es- adjusting after his experiences, Prayer and flattery, benevol- say, his review of the life of the is related by the slave and a phy- ence and justice, lust and sen- great philosopher who "died of sician. It is a revealing account suality, silence and speech, the overwork and fatigue," the epitaph of a condition that is drawing Hebrew language and sex—these on whose grave in Tiberias reads: worldwide attention leading to are but a few of the many topics "From Moses (the biblical leader) succor. • • • the totality of which make this a to Moses (Maimonidesi there was SUGARPLUM SNOWBALL valuable work for the youth and none like Moses," is a fine tribute ; an equally commendable one for to the man whose legacy "was, : Very young readers, and tots to adult students of Maimonides. be read to, will thrill in the text and still is, enormous." commentator, on moral values, spiritual needs, business dealings, ethical lore and a score of human obligations. Perhaps there is a lesson for our time in the selection from Mai- monides on "The Hebrew Language and Sex." The philosopher of long ago wrote: t work to the chil- Maimonides. Under the title "Mai- an's accomplishments and his cur- rent hope recorded in a chapter "Battle for Peace. •" MAIMONIDES brew has no special names for the genital organs, neither for male nor female, nor does it have any explicit terms for copulation, semen, or ova. All of these terms are described by euphemisms or metaphors or allusions. "The point is clear: we should be chaste and discreet about such matters. And if we must And it is the story of his fam- ily, his childhood. ht. south, his labors for the defense of the Vis- huv of Palestine before the emergence of Israel. It is an ac- count of a typical Israeli's inter- ests in the development of the country, in farming. in kibutz life, and the share in the de- fense of the land and the people. That is why a chapter like "From Farmer to Minister," leading up to Dayan's appoint- ment as minister of defense, is MYSTERY STORIES In two new Random House chil- dren's books, Richard Scarry, as narrator and illustrator, provides attention-holding and exciting in- terest for the very young readers. In "The Supermarket Mystery" and "The Great Pie Robbery," Scarry follows delightful routines. There are cops and robbers, stories marked by adventures, the very aptly titled. Sile:ice and Speech some human being. And the fewer the words, the less the chances for sin. Of course, there are various categories of speech. Some speech is purely damaging and devoid of any utility: some is partly damaging and partly careful; some is totally innocuous: some is totally useful. I prefer to divide human speech into five categories. The first category consists of sacred speech which God commands us. By this I mean the study of Bible, prayer, and any other verbal activities favored by Scripture. The second is speech forbidden to us by the Bible such as false witness, lies, gossip, curses, obscenities, and slander. Slander is par- ticularly evil: it destroys the slanderer, the listener. and the victim alike. The third type is common speech which is neither useful nor sin- ful. By this I mean the normal, daily, and idle talk common to most humans. Pious people try to diminish such idle chatter. The fourth is most desirable. It includes speech designed to exalt intellectual faculties and ethical qualities while denigrating intellectual and ethical defects. Through the techniques of stories and poems, such speech attempts to develop ethical behavior in people. It warns the listener to shun character defects; it praises virtuous people and lauds their ways so as to stir the listener to emulate their example. The fifth category of speech is practical talk — speech connected with a person's business activities, food, drink, clothing, and other daily necessities. Such speech is morally neutral; it is neither virtuous nor evil. Nevertheless, it is best to keep such talk at a minimum. The ethical man abstains totally from prohibited or sinful talk, and he speaks but little of mundane matters. On the other hand, he speaks of divine and intellectual matters all the days of his life. cite. The test of a good children's story is both the picture and the story, and in the Scarry tales both elements .are unique, filled with excitement, with the adventurous casts of characters to which the young to whom the stories will be read as well as to those who have learned themselves to read them will wish to return time and again. Scarry strikes good notes in mys- terious narrations and he has painted pictures related to texts that will hold up for a long time for the youngest readers. • • • TAKE THIS HAMMER Sam and Beryl Epstein approach Factual, well illustrated. Taslitt's "Soldier of Israel" gives a proper the very young reader with fascin- account of the age of Israel's ation in their "Take This Ham- emergence from the Zionist back- mer," a wonderful little book for ground to its acknowledged state- the youngest readers, published by hood. It is thanks to the men of Hawthorn Books. great ability that the dream was With splendid illustrations by fulfilled, and Dayan and his asso- ciates were the great factors in that historic developmept. General Dayan's superb role gets the treat- ment it deserves in a splendid bi- From the writings of Moses Maimonides, Translated by Rabbi Gdbert S Ro,s•- that gives due credit to a ography thel and included in his "Mairnonides: His Wisdom for Our Ilinc," a Sabra man of genius. The young reader Books and Funk and Wagnalls publication. will cherish this Taslitt story. I have discovered no better trait than silence. What a wise observa- Moshe Dayan was not the first of tion: For inevitably, the more words one utters, the more sins against Israel's generals, but somehow the force of his personality. his daring under fire, and the brilliance of his tactics have made him his coun- try's best-known soldier and quali- fied him for his present post of minister of defense for the state of Israel. Tomie de Paola, they make the hammer work, in every conceiva- ble way, and they even develop it into the gavel used by a judge. All conceivable methods of con- struction are utilized to have the hammer serve as a subject that develops into an adventure and is certain to hold the young reader's attention. Text and pictures com- bine to make this a very good book for the youngsters. • • • RAMPS Another Hawthorn book of merit is "Ramps" by Bernice Kohn, whose story is illustrated by Bar- bara Efting. The ramp is displayed for lifting, for sliding down, in various shapes. There is action in the story and at the same time it instructs the young reader mechanically. That's what makes this such a utilitarian work mingled with high entertain- ment qualities for the little ones who read or have the story read to them, Dayan's life has been a series of dramatic, colorful events, and it has been guided by his own su- preme confidence in the triumph of right over might, and his willing- ness to be first in the line of fire. Young readers will identify with 'the boyish pranks pursued by Moshe and his school friends. Once these common grounds are estab- lished, the development of one of • • • Israel's most heroic soldiers will be SOAP BUBBLES a source of admiration and inspira- Seymour Simon tells a hilarious tion to every boy and girl. story in "Soap Bubbles" published * • DARK VENTURE by Hawthorn Books. Given added charm by the pic- The vast interest in race rela- tures drawn by Valli Van de Boven- tions, in the Afro-Asian problems kamp, this book for little children and developing conditions, lends serves just the purpose desired— emphasis to an interesting story First, a man's deeds should harmonize with his words. Let him for teen-agers, "Dark Venture" by practice what he preaches. Audrey White Beyer, illustrated by Second, let a man say little and do much. Better to be a person of Leo and Diane Dillon, published by Knopf. action rather than words. Barbados is the locale, slavery THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS the theme, a 12-year-old boy the 'ions. But he is willing to take 48 Friday, June 13, 1969 — and pictures in "Sugarplum Snow- ball," published by Knopf. The au- thor, Johanna Johnston, and the illustrator, Idelette Bordigoni, have combined their skills to portray a girl at play, the things that interest her, the adventures that come from the very simplest ways of life. ' • • • young reader is taken along routes of mysteries that are solved in de- tective fashion to the satisfaction of wholesome childish approaches. rity for the land and its citizens. , It is the mixture of mystery and It is not only "Six Days of De- adventure, and the splendid illus- stiny - that are vital to this story. trations, that make these two books but also the earlier time of Day- stand out for the interest they in- • monides — His Wisdoin For Our Time," Dr. Rosenthal has includ- ed the basic teachings of the great Israel I. Taslitt has added an- othe r valuable "In my opinion, one should dren's library: not speak loosely about sexual ith his biogra- intercourse, nor should one's phy of a great. thoughts be preoccupied with Israeli war hero. such matters. But above all, one Sabra Books and u n k and Wag- must never discuss such matters nails have issucd in a lewd or obscene way. is "Soldier of Is- "Since speech is a unique at- ael — The Story tribute of man and a special f General Moshe gift of God to distinguish him Day ; in,' which is from other creatures, it must be not only a bio- used for human perfection, to graphy of the Is- learn and to teach, but never raeli hero of for degrading or lewd purposes. • hree o ars but is "I have good reason for call- a splendid record ing Hebrew the holy tongue. Do of the history o f Dayan not think that I am exaggerat- ing or in error in this matter. the time of Dayan. of the people The proof is simply this: He- of Israel, the aims to a — urt: secu the Hebrew by Taslitt. MAIMONIDES Another noteworthy Sabra-Funk and Vv'agnalls volume is the col- lection of important teachings from the works of Maimonides, the 12th Century Jewish philosopher. scholar, physician and court aide. Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal of Oceanside, N.Y., edited this valu- able work, translated the selec- tions chosen for his book and wrote an interesting introduction which includes a biography of Moses • SOLDIER OF ISRAEL that of entertaining the young and of teaching them something — in this case it is the resort to soap bubbles and how to make them serve a child's puropse. "Soap bub- bles" is a truly good book for the very, very young.