The Story of Ruth
Grade 2-4–This retelling of the complicated Bible story begins with Elimelech and Naomi's journey to Moab due to the famine in Judah and continues with the marriage of Kilion and Mahlon to Moabite women. After the death of her husband and both of her sons, Naomi returns to her homeland. Her daughter-in-law Ruth decides to join her: For wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your god, my God. Ruth's courtship with Boaz is included along with the account of the birth of their son Obed, grandfather of David, the first king of Israel. The color illustrations are flat and unappealing and the text is dense, weighted down by all of the minor details. The author's note explaining the connection between the Book of Ruth and the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is interesting and informative. However, Jean Marzollo'sRuth and Naomi(Little, Brown, 2005) is a more attractive and child-friendly version of the story.–Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.