The Brothers' Promise

This Talmudic story of two brothers determined sacrifice their own needs to look after one another, reconstituted into an Eastern European setting, provides a classic ... lesson about the importance of charity and selflessness.A happily married brother shares a farm with his single brother who pores over Torah and Talmud. Lean years that descend on the farm sends each brother secretly scurrying at night to the other's home with provisions he thinks the other needs more. "When a brother helps a brother, the angels in heaven weep tears of joy," their father had taught them. And indeed, the heavens open upon mutual discovery of the other's generosity.The vibrant and fanciful illustrations evoke at turns the styles of Van Gogh and Chagall, including spirits flying over the fields. Whatever your faith, this story will nourish your child's spirit. Alyssa A. Lappen

This is such a wonderful book! It has become my three-year-old daughter's absolute favorite bedtime story (I kept it from the library for six weeks before finally buying a copy!) The story is very moving and even manages to make the death of the father so tender and natural that I don't think most children would find it the least bit upsetting. The oil paintings are beautiful and colorful and complement the story perfectly. I would highly recommend this book!!

Good for 4-8 yrs. The story is about two brothers, Yankel and Josef who shared, and worked together on a farm. Then hard times visit the two farm brothers when a drought hits. Both brothers, in need of food, worry more about the other brother's welfare. All turns out well in the end, and we're all better for having read this story!This is a truely excellent story for children. The book only has one flaw, but it can be a big one with children. The illustrations are rather primitive, and don't seem to really capture the essence of the wonderful text. But the story is so good, it overshadows this flaw. Such a great message for children!