Miriam in the Desert
Miriam, Moses’ sister, is one of the better-known female characters of the Old Testament. Jules takes what is known and extrapolates a story of the Israelites in the desert, rooted in Miriam’s relationship with her grandson, Bezalel. As the people complain about thirst and hunger and fatigue, Miriam comforts them, plays her tambourine, and reminds them that “God is protecting us.” At every chance, Bezalel draws pictures in the sand, and while Moses is up on Mount Sinai, Miriam tells the young artist that he will build an ark to house the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. Ugliano’s chalky, richly hued desert scenes are populated by flowing figures, with the stately Miriam and fresh-faced Bezalel ever confident in the power of their faith. This warm, celebratory book adds a human element to the Israelites’ time in the desert, and along with the others in Jules and Ugliano’s Bible series (Abraham’s Search for God, 2007; Sarah Laughs, 2008; and Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, 2009) provides a good entry point to talk about drawing stories and messages from Bible passages. Grades K-3. --Ian Chipman--This text refers to theSchool & Library Bindingedition.