The Littlest Mountain

May 9, 2011
This contemporary fable, based on a rabbinic legend in the Midrash, explains why God chose to deliver the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. While an early illustration depicts human domestic activity and violence, inset against mountain backdrops, the majority of Hall's (Every Second Something Happens) full-bleed, pastel-hued paintings portray the singular beauty and identifying physical characteristics of each mountain vying to be God's choice location. Rosenstock's (Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louise Smith) story unfolds as the mountains boast of their merits; Mount Tabor proclaims, "God will choose me. Remember, I kept my head above water during the great flood," while the corresponding image shows a green mountaintop emerging from vast waters. In contrast, the narrator records that "little Mount Sinai," stands back from the crowd, until called upon by God. In a rhythmic narrative formula, God hears from each mountain and then responds, assessing the spiritual characteristics underlying the boasting, before rewarding the humblest mountain with the greatest honor. A predictable but satisfying tale. Ages 3â8.

April 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 3-This pourquoi story about why God chose Mount Sinai as the location for giving the Ten Commandments has its roots in Jewish legend. Various mountains in the land of Israel list their best qualities and argue over which should be chosen. In the end, God picks humble, faithful Mount Sinai, who says, "Whichever mountain You choose will be the best." This is a lovely tale, but a few points in the story require some suspension of disbelief. Talkative, mobile mountains are a bit of a stretch, especially as the illustrations are realistic rather than anthropomorphic. Also, God plans to give the people "laws to follow so that the world will finally know peace." The statement feels anticlimactic, since even young readers know that this goal was not achieved. That said, kids will get a kick out of the folktale feeling and the talking mountains, caregivers will like the lesson on the value of being humble and faithful, and Jewish educators will be thrilled to have a great read-aloud for the holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the receiving of the Ten Commandments. The story can easily be adapted for performance as reader's theater, a puppet show, or a stage play. The pastel-colored illustrations are very soft, perhaps a bit on the gentle side for a tale about rocky peaks, but they are well executed and do enhance the fairy- tale atmosphere. A solid choice for Judeo-Christian collections that may be enjoyed in secular settings as well.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

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