Ruth and Naomi
PreSchool-Grade 3 –This abbreviated retelling of the experiences of two widows, Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, highlights the key events from the Old Testament story. The women travel from Moab to Bethlehem, where Naomi was born. Although Ruth is concerned that she will not be welcome, Boaz, a wealthy farmer, treats her kindly. Ruth's loyalty and devotion to Naomi are rewarded when she attracts Boaz's attention and he proposes marriage. The story concludes with the birth of her first child, the ancestor of David, King of Israel. This simple tale explores themes of loyalty and sacrifice, and also provides an interesting look at the farming customs of biblical times. Dialogue and a harvest song supplement the text. Painted in watercolor and Chinese ink and then finished in Adobe Photoshop, the cartoon illustrations are bright and expressive, further illuminating the message of this beloved parable. A border featuring rabbit silhouettes appears along the bottom of each page with sentences that highlight important points of the story. Although the spreads are a bit cluttered, the dialogue moves the narrative along, and the rabbits' commentary provides a touch of humor and encourages readers to think about the moral issues addressed here. A fine addition to Marzollo's well-received series of Bible stories.–Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.