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Snow in Jerusalem (Albert Whitman Prairie Books (Paperback)) Paperback – Picture Book, March 1, 2008

by Deborah Da Costa (Author), Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator), Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
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Avi and Hamudi are two boys who live in Jerusalem's Old City―Avi in the Jewish Quarter and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. To each boy, the other's neighborhood is an alien land. And although neither boy knows it, both are caring for the same beautiful white stray cat. One day the boys follow the cat as she travels the winding streets and crosses the boundaries between the city’s quarters. And on this journey something wonderful happens, as unexpected as a snowfall in Jerusalem.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.2 x 10 inches
  6. Publisher
    Albert Whitman & Company
  7. Publication date
    March 1, 2008
  8. ISBN-10
    0807575259
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0807575253
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Children's Literature Choice List 2002
Notable Children's Books of Content: The Best of the Bunch from 2001 (Association of Jewish Libraries)



"The narrative flows smoothly, and da Costa's language makes the story seem more a legend or folktale than a modern tale…The endpapers, which depict the old city with the Wailing Wall and the Dome of the Rock practically touching, are quite effective."―School Library Journal



"Older children with some knowledge of Middle East politics, either from listening to the news or talking about the discord in secular or religious schools, will catch the deeper meaning…The realistically executed watercolor art catches the strong emotional content of the argument and conveys enough detail in dress and setting to establish the boys' cultural background while still making them part of the modern world."―Booklist



"Full-bleed watercolor illustrations really convey the mood and places of the ancient city, as well as the human beings―and cats…Development, human and feline, is nicely characterized."―Kirkus Reviews



"The watercolor art by this husband-and-wife team balances precise, close-up portraits of the boys with softly focused backgrounds that depict the various cultural nuances of the setting."―Publishers Weekly

From the Inside Flap

Avi and Hamudi are two boys who live in Jerusalem's Old City--Avi in the Jewish Quarter and Hamudi in the Muslim Quarter. To each boy, the other's neighborhood is an alien land. Both are caring for the same beautiful white stray cat.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Albert Whitman & Company; Reprint edition (March 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807575259
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807575253
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.2 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Ying-Hwa Hu

    Ying-Hwa Hu

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Trained to be a classroom teacher, Ying-Hwa Hu entered into picture books by answering a publisher’s search of illustrators for a book series. From then on she continued to illustrate, often collaborating with her husband, Cornelius Van Wright, more than fifty children’s books. Many of her picture books depict life of children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Hu and Van Wright together launched Pencilmoon Studio https://www.pencilmoonstudio.com/ to showcase their voice in art making. Ying-Hwa's solo debut, Ten Blocks to the Big Wok, (Lee & Low 2022) is a happy and colorful celebration of Chinese culture. Visit https://www.yinghwahu.com/ to learn more.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Deborah da Costa

    Deborah da Costa

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
24 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Becky lindsey
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
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The story was a great way to teach children acceptance of others.
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Give Me History
5.0 out of 5 stars Love for God's small creatures defies cultural animosity
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
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If you've ever given your heart to a stray cat or dog, you will love this sweet story. Set in Jerusalem, the author narrates traditions of both Jewish and Muslim cultures into a children's story even adults will enjoy. In addition, I chose to add this to my collection of beautifully illustrated children's books.
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Sandra
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Message That Should Be Shared With Children
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2014
One of the main characters in this book is a fluffy white cat with blue eyes. She wanders the streets of Jerusalem. By becoming engaged in the stray cat’s journey, the reader learns about the four unique sections of the Old City. The title page includes a simple map that points out the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters.

The neutral cat befriends a Muslim and a Jewish child. Both boys become emotionally attached to the cat. Each feeds it whenever it comes to his respective neighborhood. Toward the end of the story, the wandering cat brings the boys together. They learn that the cat has a litter of kittens. As rare flakes of snow fall on Jerusalem, the boys cooperate. The kittens will be evenly divided. The white cat will split her time between the Jewish and Muslim Quarters of the Old City.

Watercolor illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu provide a glimpse of the four sections. The artists used Uri Yaffe’s photographs to create their muted illustrations. While the pictures are intentionally subdued, readers should be able to recognize symbols, outfits, and structures associated with each group.

The illustrations and the text provide a starting point for discussing the multicultural aspects of the Old City. Modern pictures from the Four Quarters can be used to reinforce some of the obvious differences between the ethnic groups. Learning to acknowledge and accept cultural diversity is the key to the boys’ friendship. Compromise became a possibility when the boys were able to work toward a common goal. A neutral party (the cat) was able to bridge the geographic and cultural gap. Snow in Jerusalem has multicultural messages that should be shared with children.

The book also includes a glossary of Hebrew and Arabic words and an author’s note. Since I am not an authority on life in the Old City, I do not know whether everything stated in the author’s note is still true 13 years later. Even if day-to-day life in the Old City has changed, this delightful multicultural picture book should continue to be read aloud to children.

Take a look at these impressive honors and awards

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A University of Wisconsin’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice for 2002
An Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Children’s Book of Jewish Content for 2001
A Children’s Literature Choice List of Books for 2002
A Jewish Theological Seminary Notable Book for Younger Readers
Harold Grinspoon Foundation PJ Library Selection
2 people found this helpful
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Tarik Bosniak
4.0 out of 5 stars Wish it was longer
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015
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This book is a wonderful edition to my son's multicultural/religious book category...this was suggested reading By Isra Hashmi, Saturday, 11th April 2015 for the "10 Must Have Books for Muslim Children" and it is definitely worth to buy...I love how the author makes a parallel with each boy...they both say the same thing to their cat and has the same feelings that this is their cat and she is a miracle from God. to Avi, his mom states, " my love, are you feeding that cat again?"his mother teased from the kitchen window. "We'll never get rid of it now!"Butf Avi loved this fluffy white cat. "there is no other cat like you in all of Jerusalem, " Avi whispered. "you are a miracle-a gift from Hashem, the Holy One." later Hamudi's Mom says, (the Muslim boy's mom)" Hamudi, my darling, are you feeding the cat again? his mother teased from the open doorway. "It will never leave us now!" But Hamudi loved the silky white cat. "There is no other cat like you in all of Jerusalem," he whispered. "I know you must be a miracle-a gift from Allah!"
so the story continues until one day Avi follows his cat to Hamudi and an argument errupts of who's cat it is? Finally she shows them that she has 4 kittens which they end up agreeing to share because they are not thinking about their differences anymore rather about the wellbeing of the kittens and that it is upsetting to the mama cat to see them fighting...So this is a simple and beautiful story about overcoming your differences for the wellbeing of others. Very poignant and hear warming...it is not biased towards eather religion...My 6year old son loved listening to it and guessing what is gonna happen next. It is important for me to point out that I have a BS in Special Ed. with a certificate in Eng. Literature. Thus, it is very important for me that there are no language mistakes and that it is a well written story. The only reason I am giving this book four stars is because I do wish it was a bit longer ...it seemed quite short, I believe that the way it is written it could be for 3-5th graders but because it is short and portrayed through a simple act of caring for a cat k-2nd is appropriate as well, depends on your own child... I also loved the pictures they are absolutely beautiful and detailed, and the pages are the nice thick shiny ones, even though this is paperback it is not flimsy at all and a very nice gift even as a paperback book. I bought it used in very good condition and in my opinion it is in Like new condition...If this is the kind of book you like, you would love Cinderella: An Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani can't say enough about it. Same premise but focus is on how she prays,is kind,works hard, and is humble. If you want to teach your children princess stories but do not like that they are based on flaky main characters than this is the one for you whatever your beliefs are.
One person found this helpful
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Alicia Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars A cat unites boys in a divided city
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2012
A little white cat roams freely between the Jewish Quarter and the Arab Quarter in Jerusalem, seeking food and love from two boys unaware of each others' existance. When each boy decides to follow her, they discover that they can share this cat they both love. It is a simple, yet profound story of unity in a divided city.
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K - teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars Snow in Jerusalem
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2011
I think Snow in Jerusalem is a heart warming story. It brings two young boys together who are from differnt religions, one Jewish and one Muslim. The story includes colorful illustrations that represent the old city of Jerusalem and its different sections. Another aspect of this story that I like is the glossary. Throughout the story both boys speak a few words in Arabic and Hebrew. The glossary offers definitions and a pronunciation guide.
3 people found this helpful
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M. Ludlam
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2014
Great book. Quick delivery.
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Ariela R.
3.0 out of 5 stars Not written by a local.
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015
The premise of the book is fine, but it's oh so telling that it's not written by a local. This may be a good read for children in general, but it specifically does not address the very children it tries to depict. B+ for effort, but C- overall.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

A customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written story....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
An amazing story which helps to show children that there are no major differences in us as humans regardless of our beliefs. A Jewish child is just as capable of loving and caring for a cat as a Muslim child and that two children from conflicting communities can share the same love and become friends as a result of it!

It has beautiful illustrations and written in good language.
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Red Bus Book and Theatre Lover
4.0 out of 5 stars Charming book set in Jersualem
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
I suspect that for a child who knew Jerusalem well, this book might be unsatisfying. But as a gentle (and peace-loving) introduction to the city and its four distinct quarters, this is very charming. The overlaps and interplay between the Jewish and the Muslim boy remind us of our common humanity and the ending is very fitting.
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