Resultaten voor 'eric kim'

1. Eric Kimmel

Matzah Man to the Rescue!

In this comedic graphic novel, a self-appointed superhero journeys around the world solving last minute Passover seder emergencies and spotlighting a variety of holiday traditions.

1. Erica Kim

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day

1. Eric Kimmel

Miriam and the Sasquatch: A Rosh Hashanah Story

This clever Rosh Hashanah story does an excellent job of including holiday symbols and traditions while telling a unique, engaging tale. Miriam is excited for Rosh Hashanah. She heads into the orchard to pick apples for the holiday and practice blowing her shofar, a traditional ram’s horn trumpet. In the orchard, she discovers a Sasquatch sitting in a tree munching on apples. Upset that it might eat all the apples, Miriam attempts to scare it away, first by blowing the shofar, and next by throwing apples at it. The Sasquatch returns fire, hitting a beehive and sending a swarm of bees after them both. When Miriam trips while fleeing, the Sasquatch backtracks and carries her to safety. Miriam regrets her actions, befriends the Sasquatch, and invites it to join Rosh Hashanah dinner. Kimmel’s text is clever and child-centric with no wasted words. The premise will capture children’s interest, and the well-written text will retain them. The illustrations have a mixed-media feel: Miriam is depicted with brown, crayon-textured pigtails, oversized blue glasses, and large round eyes, while the huge, shaggy, brownish-orange, muppet-like Sasquatch sports a blue triangular nose and an impish smile. The slightly cartoonish style fits the amusing story well, and the holiday table on the final spread is filled with traditional foods. VERDICT Though this won’t explain the holiday to newcomers, Jewish families will welcome the engaging plot and simple lesson. This fun title would be a great addition to any library wishing to expand its books on Jewish holidays. –Amy Lilien-Harper, School Library Journal

1. Eric Kim

Korean American

1. Eric Kimmel

Shield of the Maccabees: A Hanukkah Graphic Novel

"All history books," Dara Horn has written, "fact or fiction, are really about the times in which they are written, not about the times they supposedly describe." This is particularly true when it comes to historical fiction, and it's very true about Shield of the Maccabees, Eric Kimmel and Dov Smiley's graphic novel about a friendship between a Greek boy and a Jewish boy that is fractured by the conflict between the Greeks and the Jewish Maccabees. Kimmel uses this framework to tell a story about friendship transcending differences -- a story that should appeal greatly to its intended modern-day audience, although the main message might have made little sense to its historical characters. Its main point aside, this vivid, fast-moving book includes plenty of authentic and well-researched historical facts. Greek myths, sports, and methods of teaching are all brought into the boys' story and relationship. Jonathan and Jason are both well-drawn, relatable characters, brought to life by fun, exciting drawings. The author builds up both their friendship and the roots of the conflict before the story gets serious; once it does, the horrors of war are also touched upon in an age-appropriate and non-graphic way. This book meets the criteria for consideration for a Sydney Taylor Book Award; it is essentially a modern Jewish retelling of an ancient Jewish story, and modern American-Jewish children will both enjoy the book and learn from it. --Leah Cypess, The Sydney Taylor Schmooze Children’s books about the historical and religious origins of Hanukkah often emphasize the heroism of the Maccabees. In 167 B.C.E., these Judean freedom fighters were committed to opposing both a repressive Greek regime and the assimilationist strategies adopted by many of their fellow Jews. The joyous winter holiday of Hanukkah celebrates both the military victory and the miraculous small jar of oil found in the desecrated Temple, which allowed the menorah lights to last for eight days. Eric Kimmel and Dov Smiley have chosen a more nuanced approach in their new graphic novel, emphasizing the validity of both Jewish and Greek culture and the tragedy of war for both peoples. The Jewish rebels are still brave defenders of their right to religious freedom and national self-determination but the novel also depicts the terrible price of intolerance. The close friendship of Jason and Jonathan, a Greek and a Jewish boy, is the lens through which Kimmel and Smiley view this truth. An ancient setting and a contemporary tone tell Jason and Jonathan’s story. Jews and Greeks appear ethnically different; Jonathan is olive-skinned while Jason is improbably pale and blond. (The author takes some historical liberties, some of which are clarified in the book’s back matter.) While in reality, a young Jew would not have attended school with his Greek friend, thanks to a conveniently tolerant teacher, Jason is allowed to invite his friend to classes about the Socratic method and Homer’s Odyssey. Jonathan’s family warmly welcomes Jason to their Shabbat dinner and Purim celebration. The friends have many conversations about their competing belief systems, which are mutually respectful and preternaturally mature. (Jonathan: “But why do you need so many Gods? Jason: I think it’s because people have different needs at different times.”). Not every moment of their time together involves philosophy; there is also plenty of discus throwing and fishing. Then a change of leadership threatens the relative coexistence in their Hellenistic kingdom. Antiochus IV is presented as a wounded bully with an ugly and infantile personality. Angered by his recent military defeats he blames the Jews and reverses previous policies which had allowed them a degree of autonomy. The gentle tone of the narrative becomes full of tension and fear, as soldiers serving their tyrannical leader confront Jewish guerrilla fighters with uncompromising tactics. Kimmel is careful to preserve the idealism of the Maccabees while also showing the chaos of war, as Jason and Jonathan become caught up in terrifying circumstances beyond their control. Smiley’s familiar comic book images of boyhood friendship become converted to darker scenes hatred and combat. In his “Author’s Note,” Kimmel explains both the historical background of multicultural Judea, and his own idealism in giving young readers a hopeful story of two courageous individuals who embody the best of their own traditions. Jason and Jonathan’s quest can be as much a part of Hanukkah tradition as Jewish victory over Greek despots and their collaborators. --Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council

1. Alex Ittimangnaq

The Great Fishing Derby

Alex Ittimangnaq is proud of his hometown, the Nattilik hamlet of Kugaaruk, Nunavut, and believes in working hard for the future of his community. A graduate of Nunavut Sivuniksavut, Alex is the Community Development Officer for Kugaaruk and a member of the District Education Authority. From an early age, Alex has been involved in sports in the community. He remembers playing basketball outside in the summer sun until 3AM. Alex enjoys being a mentor for youth, setting up a basketball league for kids in Kugaaruk complete with team jerseys, a scoreboard, and a trophy for the annual championship. He has also served as the lead organizer for the community’s hockey league, which continues to bring large crowds of fans, young and old, to the arena three nights a week! With his first book, The Great Fishing Derby, Alex wants to pass on an important message to young readers who feel like things aren’t going their way: if you keep a positive attitude, and keep doing the right thing, things often turn out better than you expected. Eric Kim is an illustrator, comic artist and animator. His illustration work includes Owl Magazine, Sinking Ship Entertainment and Chapterhouse Comics, where he most recently illustrated Northguard. He lives with his wife in Toronto, Canada.