Review: Why? `Whatever happens is for the best!'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 26, 2013
Author Anat Umansky (`Don't Think You Can't') has shared with us a story told by Baal Shem Tov, the Rabbi who founded Jewish Hasidism, restructured with endearing prose and made visual by the gifted illustrator Yelena Al. The book is also available as an audio book for which Michael Jara is the narrator.On a sunny afternoon a small lad sees a leaf falling from a beautiful tree. Curious, he asks the leaf what made it fall and the leaf replies that his home branch shivered and shook making the leaf fall. Still curious the lad asks the branch why, not even autumn yet, did the leaf fall, to which the branch answered that it was the fault of the wind blowing too hard. The inquisitive lad asks the wind the why question: the wind replies the angel instructed him to blow. Remaining curious the boy calls to the angel requesting an explanation for the trauma to the fallen leaf, and the angel shares that it was God's command. The lad looks up to the sky and asks why God made the leaf fall and God opens the child's mind to a little miracle - it all happened to protect a little worm who asked for help from the elements by having the leaf fall as a cover. And the little boy's curiosity is satisfied.Not only is the story touching and memorable but it also provides answers to curious children that everything that happens, happens for a reason. This is a sweet and learned book and we can only hope Anat Umansky will continue to write such beautiful little bedtime stories. Grady Harp, December 13