Tradewind Books

A Telling Time

by Irene Watts

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Description

It is the eve of Purim and a grandmother tells her granddaughter how she heard the story from their Rabbi. As the Rabbi begins the story of how Queen Esther saved her people from a plot to destroy them, he is interrupted by soldiers who have come to arrest the Rabbi. The grandmother, then a child, begs time for the rabbi to finish the story, and it is granted. 

Themes: WW2, Jewish culture,Purim,

Awards

• Recipient of the White Raven: Special Mention (Selected by the International Youth Library) 2006
• Finalist for the Chocolate Lily Awards (BC Readers' Choice) 2005-2006

Reviews

“Irene Watts retells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, taken from the biblical Book of Esther. Her version acquires a powerful extra dimension by being framed within events in Nazi-occupied Vienna. An ancient genocidal plot is echoed by a modern policy of extermination. The illustrator's beautiful pictures of star-strewn skies and snow-covered streets match this thought provoking blend of old and new.” Times Educational Supplement

“Kathryn Shoemaker's dream-like paintings complement the story's feeling of stepping through time. Beautiful images of snowy Vienna streets coupled with richly painted Torah scrolls make this book an enticing visual treat for readers of all ages. This book is a great addition to the family or school library.” Resource Links

Author Biography

Irene Watts was born in Berlin, emigrated to Britain on a Kindertransport in 1938, and moved to Canada thirty years later. She is the author of many books and plays for children and young people.

Illustrator Biography

Kathryn E. Shoemaker is the illustrator of over thirty-six books for children. She lives in Vancouver, BC and teaches children's illustration at Langara College.