Today - the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar, the tenth of March - is Purim! Not being Jewish myself, I first encountered this festival, which celebrates the story of Esther, and how she saved the Jewish people of the Persian Empire from extermination, in Sydney Taylor's wonderful children's novel, All-of-a-Kind Family. A holiday celebrating one of only two women to give their name to a book in the Bible? A holiday where the children are encouraged to dress up in costumes? I recall wishing my own family celebrated Purim!

Make Noise, Make Merry is the first of two books that Miriam Chaikin has written about Purim - the second being her lovely picture-book retelling of the story of Esther. Here she gives both the story of Esther, as it is laid out in the Megillat Ester (The Scroll of Esther), and the historical background of the tale. She also lays out the history of the festival of Purim itself, how the story of Esther was first transmitted, the symbolic significance it gained, and the ways - both historical and contemporary - that the holiday is celebrated.

Of particular interest to me was the fact that King Ahasweros is commonly identified as Xerxes, the Persian emperor who tried (unsuccessfully) to conquer Greece. I was also much struck by the fact that the religious authorities resisted including The Book of Esther in the Bible for many centuries, until they finally yielded to popular pressure.

Illustrated by Demi with artwork reminiscent of Persian manuscripts, Make Noise, Make Merry is an excellent resource on this Jewish holiday, explaining the history and customs attached to it. ( )

NO OF PAGES: 90 SUB CAT I: Children's Resources SUB CAT II: Feasts/Festivals SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: Shake a noisemaker or bank two potcovers together. Either will help cover up the sound of evil Haman's name every time it is heard during the retelling of the story of Purim. This joyous festival is observed every spring by Jews throughout the world. "Make Noise, Make Merry" relates Queen Esther?s story in rich detail. It also traces the development of this happy holiday and tells how it is celebrated today. Award-winning author Miriam Chaikin examines the songs, symbols and customs of the festive day, leaving the reader to hope Purim will come again very soon. Demi has based her lively illustrations on the ancient art of Persia and Assyria.NOTES: Donated by Marilyn Bell-Chadwick SUBTITLE: The Story and Meaning of Purim