Product Description

The story of KING SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA tells how Queen Makeda set out to learn whether King Solomon truly possessed the wisdom of the ages. She devises a series of clever riddles that will putsolomon to the test. But as the king answers her riddles, Makeda realizes that she has discovered more than wisdom; she has found a whole new way of looking at the world...and at God.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #352236 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 48 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5AThis version of the story has exciting original materialAfresh new tales and riddles, an equal relationship, and a naturally multicultural, as well as slightly feminist, bias. Beginning like a fairy tale, it introduces the precocious African princess Makeda of Sheba, a child whose wisdom, fame as a riddler, and kindness prompts her elderly father to name her, rather than either of her brothers, his heir. And she becomes Queen. (This is the first time that the Queen of Sheba has been given a history, a family, and aggada [legends] of her own, or that she has been shown to be of the African race.) Meanwhile, "In a land far away" lives a wise Jewish King, named Solomon, who had also manifested great wisdom as a child. Inevitably, traders bring news of the other to their rulers. Queen Makeda accepts King Solomon's invitation to visit. The two quietly earn each other's respect and love while also discussing the other's country and religious beliefs. They marry; she conceives his child and returns to Sheba. When their son reaches the age of 13, he returns to his father. There the story ends, but the legend continues in an afterword that explains the prevailing desire of today's Ethiopian Jews to return to Jerusalem. While the writing is graceful and dignified, the art accomplished and charming with valid ethnic representation, and the book design elegant, the real importance of this title is its more accurate portrayal of the Queen of Sheba.AMarcia W. Posner, Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center of Nassau County, Glen Cove, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
This Biblical story of the Queen of Sheba has fascinated generations of peoples worldwide. It has undergone extensive Jewish Ethiopian, Persian, Arabian, and other literary and artistic elaboration, for Centuries. The Ethioipians have claimed her as their Queen, named her Makeda, and woven her saga of an ancient Jewish encounter into natonal religious and political legend.

About the Author
Blu Greenberg is one of the leading Jewish personalities in the United States. She has written books for both young people and adults including ON WOMEN AND JUDAISM and HOW TO RUN A TRADITIONAL JEWISH HOUSEHOLD.

Linda Tarry inaugurated the Black Dolls for South Africa project and devotes herself to encouraging multiethnic, interfaith relations between the Black and Jewish communities. This is her first book.

Customer Reviews

Great for kids and adults
I picked up this book at the library as reading material for my 17-month-old son. He (and I) loved the illustrations. I appreciated it being a real Bible story, and a history lesson--marvelously illustrated in 48 pages; but this books goes where most authors and illustrators don't. You won't see this version of the story in movie theatres. I did additional research to verify the accuracy of its' contents and I discoverd everything to be valid. This book should be read by all African-American children (and adults). They won't read about their kings and queens in textbooks as others are portrayed--which is a dis-service to their culture. I purchased three copies for myself and will be purchasing more as gifts.

Excellently written, beautifully illustrated.
This beautifully illustrated book provides children and their parents with a wonderful story that also has a powerful message. It teaches all of us that we can learn from each other and, more importantly, that every culture can learn from another. The book should be used in schools.