Mr. Tempkin Climbs a Tree

July 15, 2019
A young boy and his elderly neighbor bond during the summer months. When school is out, Marky enjoys helping Mr. Tempkin with his garden. While watering the flowers and pulling weeds, Marky listens to Mr. Tempkin impart his philosophy on aging well: Walk every day to synagogue, enjoy the flowers and birds in the garden, and, most of all, value friendship. When the elder falls and gets hurt because he decides to climb a tree to hang a bird feeder, Marky is there to get help. Once Mr. Tempkin is back from the hospital, in a wheelchair with a sprained ankle, Marky is even more willing to be there for his friend; it's a mitzvah, after all, to wheel Mr. Tempkin to synagogue and do the work in the garden. By summer's end Mr. Tempkin's ankle is healed and the affinity between the two neighbors has blossomed into a very special relationship. Detailed, realistic paintings in bright, sunny, summer colors portray a largely white suburban community (although a final school-bus scene reflects a diverse group of kids). The fluid narrative arc extends main themes of friendship and the Jewish value of mitzvah: doing good through genuine caring. A gentle story with minimal intrigue and plenty of compassion highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships. (Picture book. 5-8)

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December 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-Young Marky and his next door neighbor, Mr. Tempkin, work together to care for the birds and flowers in the man's beautiful yard. One day, Mr. Tempkin falls out of a tree while attempting to protect his bird feeder from hungry squirrels. After the elderly fellow's medical treatment, Marky offers to push Mr. Tempkin's wheelchair to the synagogue for his daily visits and help out more around the yard. The man and the boy strengthen their bond and learn what friendship is all about. Bursting with robust colors like those found in a "Mercy Watson" title, this picture book is aesthetically pleasing. Set in an idyllic town with colorful homes and vibrant yards, life seems happy in Mr. Tempkin's neighborhood. The characters are cheerfully helpful and even the animals are teeming with energy. The text is moderate in length and matches the illustrations in interest. The use of a smattering of Yiddish words adds to the spirit of the story. VERDICT Kindness, empathy, compassion, and helpfulness are the main attributes expressed in this warmly inclusive picture book for elementary readers. A solid addition for most collections.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

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