Appleblossom

I read this delightful tale years ago in an anthology of short stories, and was thrilled to see it available again in this lovely illustrated children's book. This is a story to delight animal lovers of all ages. I should add here that there is really no "religious custom" forbidding Jews to have cats (I myself have six of them!) Appleblossom the cat tells Naphtali that her father belongs to the rabbi's son -- and if the rabbi's son has a cat, then it must be permitted! This is really a story about a father who personally doesn't care much for cats and is finding "religious" excuses to say "No cats." What Naphtali's father quotes are really folk superstitions about cats -- and Naphtali's mother seems to know that, because she wants a cat, too. Of course, the reader knows the story will have a happy ending -- with a little bit of help from Elijah the Prophet (who traditionally settles deadlocked disputes.) The watercolor illustrations are filled with light and spirituality -- I especially love the one of Appleblossom looking down at Naphtali from the blossoming tree branches. The one minor "blooper" that some Jewish families might wonder about is that Naphtali, although clearly a religious Jew, is wearing shorts -- which was not the custom among Jews in Eastern Europe where he is supposed to be living. But the illustrator herself was born in England, and British schoolboys do traditionally wear short pants, so this can be probably explained as being based on what she saw in her own homeland. (Not a big issue, but some Jewish children may wonder about it.) An excellent book -- I'd give it ten stars if I could. Order one now for next Passover.