Review: Come celebrate a surprise birthday party!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2014
Rabbi Eitan Hana is an ordained Orthodox Jewish rabbi. To receive ordination, one must go through a long learning process of biblical sources and the ensuing commentaries. One must also learn the intricacies of Jewish law and tradition. Rabbi has spent many years in the field of education, teaching adults, youth and children. His special joy is relating to children. (He and his wife Miriam have 10 children, four boys and six girls, all but two of whom are married, and 30 grandchildren). His greatest satisfaction has been seeing the smiling faces of his children and grandchildren as they absorb and put into practice what they are learning. He has used his knowledge of the sources, especially the Prophets, to not only tell the stories of our forefathers but also to write original stories based on the moral and ethical lessons which the Prophets have taught us. Thus was born Foxy the Fox! He hopes to bring important moral and ethical messages to children via Foxy, writing in a simple way which will be understood by children. Foxy has a series of more than twenty stories, and wonderful illustrator from Raluca Cirti that gives the  feel of the characters and meanings.Foxy the Fox is unaware that his family and friends are planning to celebrate his birth in so grand a fashion. While the whole family is up, his son Polly is still asleep! Mother Foxa is making eggs laid by Ziki the chicken, Coby the Cat has not been around the family for a while but he will bring the cake Foxy the Fox doesn't realize the party I s planned and has his usual breakfast.  Foxy buys all their vegetables fresh form Robbie the Rabbit's field. But the surprise is about to begin. Only Polly remains asleep and when Foxy sits at the table with his entire family he notices Polly is not there. Mother Foxa thinks perhaps Polly doesn't feel well, so Foxy goes to Polly's bedroom - a ploy on the part of the family because while Foxy is tending to the snoozing Polly the family decorates for the part and readies everything so that when Polly (who has been posing to be asleep) comes in with his father, the celebration is boisterous! Coby the Cat brings in the cake and flowers, music plays and everyone in the family is happy for Foxy's birthday!The story is rich with the meaning of family and familial love and the illustrations truly do make a party of the story. Rabbi Eitan Hana has given us a reason to celebrate! Grady Harp, March 14