It is 1595, and the rabbi’s son Jacob is frustrated with having to live in the walled ghetto known as Jewish Town. Why can’t he venture outside of the gates and explore the beautiful city? His father warns him that Passover is a dangerous time to be a Jew and that the people from outside accuse the Jews of dreadful deeds. But one night, Jacob follows his father and two companions as they unlock the ghetto gates and proceed to the river, where they mold a human shape from the mud of the riverbank. When the rabbi speaks strange words, the shape is infused with life and the Golem of Prague is born.In this breathtaking retelling of a timeless tale, Irene N. Watts’s beautiful words are complemented by the haunting black-and-white images of artist Kathryn E. Shoemaker.
Europe
Materials from Europe
Brothers
Whether the rivalry is about territory, possessions, the biggest, or the most, anyone with a sibling will relate to the ongoing competition between these two canines. Taken to ridiculous heights, this series of situations with surprisingly human overtones illustrates their ongoing struggle to get along. It’s a rivalry that knows no bounds. Julius the Elder describes how he dominates, tricks, subdues, and, yes, even admires his exuberant young pup of a brother. William the Upstart, on the other hand, demonstrates he is his own dog whatever the consequences. The results are hilarious and tinged with history. In the end, no one would ever dare to question the singular bond demonstrated in Brothers.
Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star
Tenacious Suzy Goose aims to top her Christmas tree with a star from the sky — with unexpectedly wondrous results — in this vibrant, whimsical tale. It’s Christmas Eve, and Suzy Goose and her friends are admiring their beautifully decorated tree. It’s perfect except for one thing: a star for the top. But Suzy sees just the right one, high in the sky, and no one can stop her from trying every possible way to get it.
The Strange Case of the Missing Sheep
In a place called Happy Valley, there live ten sheep. Every night, the ten sheep are counted into their beds by one Super Sheep Dog named Doug. But one day, the sheep are missing. Who could have stolen them? Might it be Wolf, who lives in the Dark Forest? And for what nefarious purpose? Does he want to knit them into a blanket? Bake them into a pie? Or maybe he wants to count them?
Greek Town: Metropolis
Presents life in a town in ancient Greece, covering the temple, town square, a family home, an open-air theatre, games, the cemetery, the port, and more.
The King of Quizzical Island
When no one can answer his question about what is at the edge of the world, the King of Quizzical Island builds a boat and sets sail to find out for himself, despite the objections of his fearful people.
A Friend like You
Photographer Tanja Askani adopts orphaned or injured animals — wolf pups, raccoons, owls, rabbits, and fawns, among others — and under her care, unexpected friendships form.
What’s Coming for Christmas?
You can see it in the way the snowman’s eyes sparkle. Hear it in the voices of carolers echoing in the streets, and in the sounds of children trimming the tree. You can feel it in the warm fire dancing in the hearth. Meanwhile, the mother hen hushes her chicks, the pigs’ little tails curl in excitement, and the sheep nod knowingly as all wait in eager anticipation for a joyous Christmas surprise.
Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo da Vinci
In 1781, Thomas Paine came up with a model for a single-span bridge; in 1887, Adolf Eugen Fick made the first pair of contact lenses; and in 1907, Paul Cornu built the first helicopter. But Leonardo da Vinci thought of all these ideas more than five hundred years ago! At once an artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist, da Vinci wrote and drew detailed descriptions of what would later become hang gliders, automobiles, robots, and much more.
Truce
On July 29th 1914, the world’s peace was shattered as the artillery of the Austria-Hungary Empire began shelling the troops of the country to its south. What followed was like a row of falling dominoes as one European country after another rushed into war. Soon most of Europe was fighting in this calamitous war that could have been avoided. This was, of course, the First World War.
But who could have guessed that on December 25 the troops would openly defy their commanding officers by stopping the fighting and having a spontaneous celebration of Christmas with their “enemies”?