The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

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 ...

 The Upside-Down Boy and the Israeli Prime Minister by Sherri Mandell, illustrated by Robert Dunn Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner) Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Sandy Wasserman Buy at Bookshop.org We meet Daniel in this book, a boy who follows his own rhythms, and does not follow rules easily; he just can't behave. So when his class in Israel is headed for a field trip to the Prime Minister's office, his teacher is a bit concerned. He tries to be on his best behavior, but his body seems to do flips and topsy turvy actions all on its own. The comes the crucial moment; the prime minister's assistant shows the young visitors a series of portraits of former prime ministers including one of David Ben Gurion doing a headstand. Uh oh! Daniel immediately imitates the pose, to everyone's dismay. BUT, the assistant says it's OK! And he joins Daniel in a headstand telling him some great news: "Headstands are good training for being prime minister." For chil...