From the snake in the Garden of Eden to the lost sheep in Luke’s parable, stories about fish and birds, rams and goats abound. We read about them, but they have no voice of their own. Here we allow the raven and the dove on Noah’s ark, the big fish that swallowed Jonah, and the donkey on which Balaam rode, to be the narrators of their own stories, to inform us and help us to re-imagine our stories. We learn something about the intrinsic value of all living beings, and something about ourselves.
Product Preview
| Format: | Paperback book |
|---|---|
| Product code: | PP6630 |
| Dimensions: | 10" x 7" |
| Length: | 64 pages |
| Publisher: |
Paraclete Press
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| ISBN: | 9781640606630 |
| 1-2 copies | $15.83 each |
|---|---|
| 3-9 copies | $15.11 each |
| 10-49 copies | $14.39 each |
| 50-99 copies | $14.03 each |
| 100+ copies | $13.49 each |
Praise
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso has a gift for sparking religious imagination in children—and in the rest of us. In her new book, three iconic biblical stories are told from the animals’ perspectives and new life and meaning is breathed into them. The unwilling raven, the whale who describes Jonah as a ‘bitter pill,’ and the donkey who knows herself to be her master’s ‘greatest asset’ are a delight. Fresh, funny, and wise, this book is a treat.
A donkey who would appreciate it if her owner, Balaam, thanked her once in a while. A giant fish who complains that swallowing Jonah gave him indigestion. Combine this with a clever collaboration between a raven and dove on Noah’s ark and you have a delightful reimagining of biblical tales from animal perspectives. Sandy Eisenberg Sasso writes with verve and insight, giving readers much to enjoy.
In these wise and witty tales, animals invite us to look through their eyes for a fresh view of some familiar stories. A big-hearted whale, a perceptive donkey, and the pragmatic partnership of raven and dove teach us about new life, compassion, and the true nature of blessing. Through her playful yet respectful handling of biblical texts, Sasso reminds us that God speaks in surprising ways, and that we still have much to learn from other creatures. Perfect for reading aloud, this collection is sure to spark laughter and deep wondering among adults and children alike.
Biblical characters are far from being perfect people. Thankfully, animals come to the rescue in Sandy Eisenberg Sasso’s re-envisioning of three classic stories. No longer mere sidekicks, creatures take center stage as the heroes of these beloved tales, making sure we look in unexpected places for a fresh point of view.
Author
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and director of the Religion, Spirituality, and the Arts Initiative at IUPUI Arts and Humanities. The second woman to be ordained as a rabbi in the U.S., she and her husband are the first rabbinical couple in world Jewish history. An award-winning children’s author, she loves to imagine old stories in new ways, giving voice and story to those who have none. She writes and lectures on the Spiritual Imagination of Children and is active in the interfaith and civic communities.
