Clever Rachel

Clever Rachel is a new twist on an old folk tale. As with Debby’s first picture book, A Sack Full of Feathers, Clever Rachel is illustrated by Cindy Revell, set in the eastern European village of Olkinik in the 19th century, and uses humor to share an important lesson. It also features a lot of riddles.

PJ Library Reading Guide for Clever Rachel

Short-listed for the 2011 Saskatchewan Young Readers Choice Shining Willow Award

Chosen for the 2010 PJ Library book list. The PJ library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Chosen for the 2010 Edmonton Public Schools Best of the Best List

Named one of Year’s Best Picture Books, 2009, by Resource Links

Reviews:

Ellen Schur Brown, Cleveland Jewish News, wrote:

This book is absolutely charming and concisely written. It’s full of the kind of Jewish values parents want their children to absorb from a very young age: work hard, do your best, cooperate.

The Edmonton Jewish News wrote:

Waldman maintains the beautiful flavour of the folktale, using simple and colourful language. … Her delightful use of Yiddish terms such as meshugganah, rugelach and kugel make the book fun to read and even more culturally relevant for Jewish children.

Steven Friedman, j. The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, wrote:

Exceptionally well done.

Senta Ross, Canadian Children’s Book News, wrote:

[A] captivating retelling of an old Jewish folktale. Debby Waldman’s text is a pleasure to read aloud.

Roz Bessell, well-known Boston-area Hebrew tutor, wrote:

It’s a winner!

Carol Miller, Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children’s Media, wrote:

(An) enchanting retelling of a Jewish folktale… The warm acrylic folk art illustrations do much to enhance this delightful story that provides a glimpse of rich Jewish culture.