From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-This loose biography relates the little known story of the first female rabbi, Osnat Barzani, a Kurdish Jew whose knowledge of the Torah and leadership of a yeshiva in ancient Iraq broke gender barriers. In language reminiscent of a fairy tale, a child named Osnat is born in 1590-"almost five hundred years ago, when almost everyone believed in miracles." Born into a family with no sons, and surrounded by books, she convinces her father, a rabbi in the yeshiva, to teach her to read. As Osnat (and her knowledge and reputation) grows, her father intervenes to arrange a marriage conducive to her continued study of Hebrew scriptures. After her father and husband die, Osnat receives a vision in a dream from her father to assume leadership of the yeshiva. Legends of Osnat, such as her healing of her pet dove and of the sick, as well as a supernatural intervention during a fire at a synagogue, are included. There is an author's note, and while there is no glossary, words such as davul and kubbah are clearly understood in context. Gouache illustrations with mostly full-page backgrounds of blue, red and gold depict Osnat's tale, and include religious symbols such as a dove (denoting peace) and the number seven (considered a perfect number in Judaism). VERDICT A vibrant life story, with imagined conversations and brilliant illustrations, that will find a home in every collection.-Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
[STAR] “A vibrant life story, with imagined conversations and brilliant illustrations, that will find a home in every collection”-School Library Journal (starred review),
“An exploration of Jewish heritage and mysticism; a deeply feminist but not at all didactic tale with magical prose. It’s adorned with gorgeous, vibrant gouache illustrations, full of colorful loose patterns created by the Israeli-Romanian artist Vali Mintzi. Mintzi’s fluid brush line brings the characters to life and there’s a particularly gorgeous spread of Hebrew letters.” -The Jerusalem Post,
[STAR] “This dynamic and respectful picture book envisions the life of a prominent 17th-century Jewish leader who defied gender norms.”-Shelf-Awareness (starred review),
“Osnat and Her Dove is an inspiring story of a young Jewish hero, filled with wonderful cultural, religious and historical detail. It’s a testament to the power of knowledge and the importance of parental support.” -BookPage,
"Samuel tells about Osnat’s extraordinary life and seamlessly weaves in some of the many legends and miracles that were part of her life story. Fact and legend become one in an inspiring story of an exceptional woman." -Kirkus Reviews,
“A rich portrait of an early female Jewish hero.” -Publishers Weekly,
“Mintzi’s illustrations have an astonishing beauty. This remarkable book conveys both Osnat’s unusual life, full of contradiction, and the truth about women’s potential. When encouraged to flourish, Osnat and others like her can heal the world.” -Jewish Book Council,
“The striking and vibrant illustrations in “Osnat and Her Dove” pull young and old readers alike into Osnat’s world.”-The Times of Israel,
About the Author
Sigal Samuel is an award-winning novelist and journalist. Currently a Staff Writer at Vox, she previously worked as Religion Editor at The Atlantic, Opinion Editor at the Forward, and Associate Editor at the Daily Beast. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. The Mystics of Mile End, her debut novel, was nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award and won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award and the Alberta Book Publishing Award. Sigal hails from an Iraqi Jewish family in Montreal, and now lives in Washington, DC.
Vali Mintzi is an illustrator of children's books, a graphic designer, and puppetry designer. She was born in Romania and she graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Art in Jerusalem where she lives and works. The New York Times praised her artwork for a picture book by Rita Jahan Foruz, saying: "The Girl With a Brave Heart is strikingly enhanced by Vali Mintzi's exquisite naïf illustrations, which seem a happy meeting of Gauguin and mid-career Matisse."
