Is there anyone who does not yearn to protect baby Moses? The despair of his mother, the loneliness and vulnerability of this little human adrift in his tiny basket-world — no matter how often the story is told, those feelings never fade, even knowing that the child is rescued, raised in luxury, greatly loved, and becomes a personage of world eminence.
Judith L. Roth retells this story yet again, and the writing and illustrations are riveting. The narrator, Miriam, Moses’ heroic and loving older sister, emphasizes the trembling reality of her baby brother’s precarious situation and the joy at his rescue. The enchanting illustrations emphasise the Semitic beauty of the women — Jewish and Egyptian alike — and offer glimpses of life at that time. A reassuring psalm-like refrain set to music accompanies the text at crucial moments. At the close of the story, a well-written synopsis of the Biblical story surrounding the life of Moses fills in many details.
Award-winning journalist and freelance writer, Helen Weiss Pincus, has taught memoir writing and creative writing throughout the NY Metro area to senior citizens and high school students. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Record, The Jewish Standard, and other publications. She recently added “Bubby” to her job description.
