Frankel, Ellen. JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible. Illus. by Avi Katz. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 2009. 256 p. $35.00. ISBN 978-0-8276-0891-7. Reviewed from an advance reading copy. Gr. 2–6.

Ellen Frankel has chosen 53 stories from the Tanach for her stunning JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible. Although more than half of them come from Genesis and Exodus, she includes stories from the rest of the Torah, as well as from the Prophets and the Writings. In a book like this, some stories must be excluded, and Frankel gives a clear rationale for why she chose what she did. The language and rhythms of this volume are close to the original Hebrew and, for the most part, come from the 1985 JPS translation. Frankel has made judicious choices so that a child can delight in the stories themselves, without being detoured by unfamiliar or archaic words and concepts. In the helpful “Author’s Notebook” for parents, educators, and rabbis, Frankel elucidates the following thorny issues: diction, translation, Hebrew, editing, commentary, objectionable adult material, and gender. She also lists the stories she included and their order in the Tanach. A comprehensive index of people, places, and things completes the back matter.

Frankel’s goal was to create a book that would appeal to “modern American kids.” She is always aware of her audience—children of the 21^st century—their reading proficiency, vocabulary, cultural literacy, and maturity. She does not talk down to her readers nor does she exclude certain problematic stories that she believes are an important part of the national Jewish story, for example, the binding of Isaac.

Avi Katz’s gorgeous illustrations, in pencil, ink, and watercolor, are a perfect complement to these Bible stories. At least one full-page illustration accompanies each story. In addition, like a zoom-in camera, segments of the larger illustrations are placed judiciously within the text. A sense of flow and continuity is provided by the design, for the pages without illustrations have borders that echo the main illustration. My eleven-year-old nephew called the illustrations “cool, awesome, and action-packed.” Praise indeed.

Northrop Frye, the eminent literary scholar, wrote in The Educated Imagination that “…everything else finds its place inside [the Bible].” The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible will surely help children understand themselves, their relationships with others, and with God. This lovely, inspiring book is a treasure that will be passed down from generation to generation. Highly recommended for every home, school, and public library.