The Littlest Mountain

Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross

In softly washed pastel pages, Rosenstock retells the midrash (story) of why Mount Sinai was chosen by God as the site for the presentation of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. In Rosenstock's hands, the story takes on a homey, folktale feel. Each mountain boasts of its attributes, except for small and rocky Sinai who recognizes that it is unattractive compared to beautiful Mount Carmel and flower-adorned Mount Gilboa, and less impressive than sturdy Mount Tabor. As the more prestigious mountains battle among themselves, just as boastful human beings might, humble Mount Sinai puts faith in God to make the right decision and thus its faith is justified when God bestows the honor of making Sinai the location for the gift to the Israelite people. The story is so simply told that it is basic enough for a pre-school audience. There is room to discuss why the bigger and showier mountains lost out to self-effacing Sinai, and how God validated Sinai's trust. Hall's pictures are large enough for a small story circle, but best for one-on-one sharing. This will be an excellent selection to share with children for Shavuot. Sources are included for further adult research of the tale. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3—This pourquoi story about why God chose Mount Sinai as the location for giving the Ten Commandments has its roots in Jewish legend. Various mountains in the land of Israel list their best qualities and argue over which should be chosen. In the end, God picks humble, faithful Mount Sinai, who says, "Whichever mountain You choose will be the best." This is a lovely tale, but a few points in the story require some suspension of disbelief. Talkative, mobile mountains are a bit of a stretch, especially as the illustrations are realistic rather than anthropomorphic. Also, God plans to give the people "laws to follow so that the world will finally know peace." The statement feels anticlimactic, since even young readers know that this goal was not achieved. That said, kids will get a kick out of the folktale feeling and the talking mountains, caregivers will like the lesson on the value of being humble and faithful, and Jewish educators will be thrilled to have a great read-aloud for the holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the receiving of the Ten Commandments. The story can easily be adapted for performance as reader's theater, a puppet show, or a stage play. The pastel-colored illustrations are very soft, perhaps a bit on the gentle side for a tale about rocky peaks, but they are well executed and do enhance the fairy- tale atmosphere. A solid choice for Judeo-Christian collections that may be enjoyed in secular settings as well.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL