The First Gift

by A. S. Gadot, Marie Lafrance (Illustrator)

Overview

A boy tells about the first gift he ever received -- his name! Named after the legendary King David, little David introduces the concept of names and where they come from, how nicknames evolve, introduces names from other cultures and gives facts about Jewish naming customs, all in a picture-book format.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781512495560
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Series:	Lerner Life Cycle Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	24
File size:	33 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

A.S. Gadot studied history and literature at Tel Aviv University. She writes trivia questions for the Israeli "Jeopardy" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" game shows. She has two grown daughters, and lives in Ramat Aviv, Israel, in a small orchard where her hens, ducks, and cats are free to roam.

Marie Lafrance has been drawing illustrations for most of her life. She has drawn pictures for magazines, posters, billboards, and board games. But illustrating books for young readers is her passion. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Editorial Reviews

What's in a name? The young narrator of this chipper picture book attempts to explain, as he expresses thanks for his own name David the first gift his parents gave to him, and which honors his late great-grandfather. Using the biblical king as example, the narrator offers that "His mother called him Davey... His brothers called him Useless... His harp teacher called him Genius... His people called him Your Majesty... his son Solomon just called him Daddy." Readers are then reminded that Adam was charged with naming all the animals and creatures of the new earth and that families in different cultures and countries give their children different names. Though the text does not address name meanings or specific origins (aside from stating that many people are named for figures in the Bible), this book celebrates what a special possession a name is. Lafrance's (Mind Me Good Now: A Caribbean Tale) creamy acrylic paintings feature fluid, elongated characters and dreamlike background scenes with folk-art-style motifs. A note on Jewish naming customs is included. Ages 3-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly