(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Lumer. This straightforward retelling of the Old Testament story about the origin of languages explores faith and human pride. Remembering the recent flood, the people of Babel build a tower so high they grow arrogant and are punished with erasure of common language. The resulting misunderstandings are depicted humorously in the detailed illustrations, which feature non-English speech balloons (with translations) as the diversely rendered people scatter.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Marc Lumer. An observant Jewish boy's friend, Tzvi, assures him that "Hashem [God] is here, Hashem is there, Hashem is truly everywhere"--in the sky, in the sea, even in outer space. There's no story here and the text lacks imagination, but the wannabe-Seussian rhyming couplets have a jaunty rhythm. Expansive cartoonish (somewhat garish) watercolor and pencil illustrations reinforce the book's message.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith