One of two picture books I picked up at the Friends of the Library Sale to send to a Jewish friend collecting picture books (so of course, have to read them before mailing them off). As a gentile, I am not familiar with Rosh Hashanah, but this was a heartwarming little tale on how sometimes miracles really are just kindness towards those in need. ( )

Prolific storyteller and children's author Eric A. Kimmel adapts a famous Rosh Hashanah folktale from Yiddish-language author I.L. Peretz in this engaging picture-book. When a skeptical Litvak (Lithuanian) stranger settles in the city of Nemirov, he doubts the people's stories about their holy rabbi, said to ascend to heaven every year, in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, in order to plead for his people. Deciding to debunk this belief, the Litvak follows the rabbi during this period, and discovers that he is indeed holy, if not perhaps in the way his people think...

This story has been adapted for children at least three times, that I am aware of. First by Barbara Cohen, in her 1987 picture-book, Even Higher; then in 2007 by Richard Ungar, in his own Even Higher; and finally here, in 2009, by Eric A. Kimmel. I have read the Cohen, which I enjoyed, and am glad to have run across this second telling (I have not yet managed to track down the Ungar). Kimmel's adaptation is engaging and humorous, and Jill Weber's accompanying illustrations are colorful and cute. Recommended to anyone looking for a children's adaptation of the Peretz, or for children's stories set at Rosh Hashanah. ( )

Even Higher! is a story about a rabbi who, every year before Rosh Hashanah, disappears. The people of Nemirov aren't exactly sure where the rabbi goes, but their best guess is that he goes to heaven to plead with God to forgive each and every soul. Then along comes a Litvak- a man from Lithuania- who is also a skeptic. He tells the people of Nemirov that there is no way that the rabbi goes to heaven. He decides to follow the rabbi and soon learns where he really goes- to help people in need. Upon learning of the rabbi's actual whereabouts, he decides to let the people of Nemirov think that he does indeed go to heaven.

The author tells the story in a way that keeps the reader engaged and by bringing in the skeptical character, the author gives the story a little twist. The reader also learns about what it's like to be selfless through both the rabbi's character and the skeptical character. I also liked the illustrations, which were funny at times. The illustrations also contain a recurring goat, who has something different in its mouth every time you see him. I thought that was cute and silly and I made a game out of finding the goat when reading this book to my niece.

This is a story about selflessness that, I think, sends a great message to children. I would recommend. ( )

This story really confused me as a "fairytale": the entire message of the story we don't need supernatural events to have "miracles" because miracles exist in everyday acts of kindness. I came into this expecting some type of magic to strike the story, and was surprised to find there wasn't an ounce of it. My knowledge of Judaism is limited, so it was extremely interesting to learn about Rosh Hashanah, which I've heard of many times before. I do think it's important to take responsibility for educating yourself on other cultures to make sure you don't overstep boundaries and to be respectful, and this reminded me that there's more I need to learn of Jewish culture. I really love the message of the book, I think it's extremely important to show children that acts of kindness make a world of a difference. Another thing that stood out with this story compared to the typical fairytale is that a character underwent change. The skeptic was turned into "somewhat" of a believer. ( )

A retelling of Peretz's "Oyb Nit Nokh Hekher," with changes that are explained in the Author's Note at the end. Kimmel says here, "The miracle is that there are no miracles. We don't need them, Ordinary kindness and compassion are enough to save the world." So the Litvak becomes a follower of the rabbi of Nemirov not because the rabbi is a miracle worker, but because of his great holiness, which he shows by going so far away from what we usually think of as heavenly---withdrawing from worldly activities to pray---and doing lowly, worldly, physical work and confronting poverty, illness, and old age. But by descending to these depths he is in fact ascending as high as possible. Still, what if he had told his followers what he did? ( )