Israel

Children's Literature - Avee Gee

Everything you wanted to know about Israel is explained in a straightforward manner with updated information about its history, regional diversity, wildlife, water resources, country's political system, and infrastructure. Tidbits about Israeli culture include its food (including a recipe for falafel), music, and sports. While presenting Jewish and Palestinian cultures side-by-side, more weight is given to its Jewish history. Fact boxes include phrases in Hebrew and Arabic, and insights about daily life are scattered throughout. Unfortunately, the stock photographs do not reflect the richness and diversity of its people, giving the book an outdated feel. Inaccuracies by inclusion—information about kibbutzim is outdated, or by omission—no mention of the significant impact of the Ethiopian influx or increase in migrant workers—makes this book an incomplete resource. Despite these drawbacks, this primer coupled with other resources would work well as an introductory upper elementary classroom text. Sidebars, graphs, historical timeline, additional resources, and an index round out the content. Reviewer: Avee Gee