Review: The Best Treasure
The Best Treasure
by Sherri Mandell, illustrated by Tamara Anegon
Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer
Buy at Bookshop.org
Friends Mo (a hippopotamus) and Gavi (a kangaroo) set out on a treasure-finding expedition, but they don’t have the same definition of treasure. While Gavi sees the value in everything from discarded tin cans to acorns to popsicle sticks, Mo only sees junk. In an adorable and apt use of a kangaroo’s pouch, Gavi uses his “pocket” to store his treasures. As the two friends head home, the items in Gavi’s pocket make a sound that Mo hears as noise, but Gavi hears as music. Persuaded, Mo joins Gavi in dancing to the music. When they return home, Mo says that he also found treasure on this walk, the best treasure of all: friendship.
Based on the Jewish proverb, “Who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure,” this sweet story is surprisingly layered. It offers lessons in perspective (what is one person’s junk is another person’s treasure), in optimism and appreciation (Gavi sees the best in everything and is never discouraged, even as Mo repeats that each of Gavi’s discoveries is not treasure), how people (or animals!) can be very different but still be friends, and how the arts (here, music and dance) can bring very different types of characters together.
The animals’ accessories give them each a jolt of personality - Gavi wears a jaunty scarf; Mo has glasses and dons a yellow jacket for their outing. Their contrasting sizes and shapes make them an appealing Mutt-and-Jeff type combo. The mostly candy-colored palette fits the sweet tone of the story.
Although the story is based on a Jewish proverb and the characters have Jewish names, there is no other overtly Jewish content.
Friends Mo (a hippopotamus) and Gavi (a kangaroo) set out on a treasure-finding expedition, but they don’t have the same definition of treasure. While Gavi sees the value in everything from discarded tin cans to acorns to popsicle sticks, Mo only sees junk. In an adorable and apt use of a kangaroo’s pouch, Gavi uses his “pocket” to store his treasures. As the two friends head home, the items in Gavi’s pocket make a sound that Mo hears as noise, but Gavi hears as music. Persuaded, Mo joins Gavi in dancing to the music. When they return home, Mo says that he also found treasure on this walk, the best treasure of all: friendship.
Based on the Jewish proverb, “Who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure,” this sweet story is surprisingly layered. It offers lessons in perspective (what is one person’s junk is another person’s treasure), in optimism and appreciation (Gavi sees the best in everything and is never discouraged, even as Mo repeats that each of Gavi’s discoveries is not treasure), how people (or animals!) can be very different but still be friends, and how the arts (here, music and dance) can bring very different types of characters together.
The animals’ accessories give them each a jolt of personality - Gavi wears a jaunty scarf; Mo has glasses and dons a yellow jacket for their outing. Their contrasting sizes and shapes make them an appealing Mutt-and-Jeff type combo. The mostly candy-colored palette fits the sweet tone of the story.
Although the story is based on a Jewish proverb and the characters have Jewish names, there is no other overtly Jewish content.
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