Review: Just Like Queen Esther

Just Like Queen Esther

by Kerry Olitzky & Ari Moffic, illustrated by Rena Yehuda Newman

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Cindy Rivka Marshall

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

In this appealing picture book, Atara wears a crown everywhere and chooses her own name, which means “crown” in Hebrew. When her mom reads her a book about Purim, Atara relates to Queen Esther, because they both had to hide their identities: Esther hid that she was Jewish, while, until recently, Atara hid that she was a girl, not a boy like her parents had thought. Her mother responds matter-of-factly to Atara’s observations and supports Atara's wish to wear a crown as a way of proclaiming to everyone that she identifies as a girl.

When Atara is cast as Esther in a Purim play, she worries that the other kids and the audience will laugh or say that she is not a “real girl.” Happily - and refreshingly - these fears never come to fruition. While the book portrays Atara’s vulnerability, it succeeds in modeling supportive responses to a gender non-conforming child. When Atara forgets to bring her crown to school, her panic gives way to the realization that she doesn’t need to wear her crown in order to affirm her identity and feel “royal” like Queen Esther.

Illustrator Rena Yehuda Newman’s joyful cartoon-style illustrations portray Atara’s delight in wearing her crown and dressing up. The book includes a crown making activity, and the fun end papers simulate a child’s drawing of Queen Esther.

Just Like Queen Esther is a lovely example of a Jewish hero serving to bolster a Jewish child’s confidence. Even for readers not familiar with the Purim story, the book’s message about pride will be accessible. However, when the authors briefly summarize the Book of Esther, the line “the King loved Esther and saved all the Jewish people” is problematic. It detracts from the important message in this traditional narrative that it was a courageous woman - Queen Esther – who saved the Jews.

The scene of Atara rehearsing the Purim play is referred to as a drama class. Because they are doing a Purim play, and one illustration shows a child wearing a kippah, it seems like this is either a Jewish day school or a synagogue activity, but that is not explicit.

Given the current political climate and the increasing banning of books depicting LGBTQ+ characters, this inclusive picture book set in a Jewish context is a welcome addition. Hopefully it will reach many children and adults, who will doubtlessly appreciate it. 

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REVIEWING BOOKS FOR THE SYDNEY TAYLOR SHMOOZE? CLICK HERE

 

Reviewer Cindy Rivka Marshall is a professional Jewish storyteller, intergenerational Jewish educator, story coach and picture book writer. Her recordings have won awards from Parent’s Choice, Storytelling World and National Parenting Publications. She leads storytelling skills workshops and facilitates story sharing to build community and diversity awareness. Her business, Story Arc, aims to “reach, teach and change with stories.” Cindy lives in the Boston area and has twice been selected to participate in the PJ Library Summer Camp for Jewish Picture Book Writers. www.cindymarshall.com