Joani Keller Rothenberg – illustratör

Multicultural, Nondenominational, Nonsectarian Endorsed by Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish Religious Leaders

A spiritual conversation-starter for adults and children to read together.

"A very long time ago, when the world was new...two children walked in God''s garden called Earth. One was named Cain, the other, Abel. They were the first children. The first brothers."

We know the story well. But what can it mean for us—and for our children—today? Award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso recasts the biblical tale of Cain and Abel in a way that invites adults and kids to a conversation about anger and our power to deal with it in positive ways.

Cain and Abel were born into God''s garden called Earth, a world of bright days for working in their fields and peaceful nights to share the stories of their dreams. The first children, the first brothers, they were so much alike yet so different—Cain a shepherd, Abel a farmer.

They lived side by side, surrounded by trees where wonderful, exotic fruits of many kinds grew: everywhere orapples, rasdew, and banangerines ripened all on a single branch. The air was sweet with the smell of pinango, limeberry, and waterloupe.

But jealousy, anger, and fear took all this away. Cain and Abel''s happiness came to an end, and with it, the trees'' ability to grow these special fruits.

In a world often hurt by violence, this retold biblical story gives children and adults a starting point for discussing anger and its effects on those around us. By harnessing the power we have to deal with our emotions in positive ways, we can once again cultivate the fruits of peace—and change the world for the better.

In a divided world, where the one who shouts the loudest often gets the most attention, a story about compromise and listening. "Standing UP!" "Lying DOWN!" What were the people to do? They decided to ask the rabbi of the town. “What are we to do?” they asked. “Shall we put the mezuzah standing up or lying down?” The townspeople have mezuzahs but cannot agree on how to put them up on their doorways. Should they place them horizontally or vertically, standing up or lying down? To end their arguing, they consult the wise rabbi of the town, who advises them to carefully read the Shema in the mezuzah to find the answer. With this lively tale, based on a twelfth-century rabbinic debate, best-selling, award-winning children''s author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso helps young people discover that there is often more than one solution to a problem, and that living together and creating “home” requires cooperation and listening to one another.

A lesson in hope and faith—and learning that there are some things in life beyond our control—for every child who has worried about what comes next.

Adam and Eve''s very first day in the Garden of Eden was perfect—safe and unshadowed by worry, doubt, or fear. God''s first two people saw morning lift the sun high in the bright sky, and they rested in the contented warmth of the peaceful afternoon.

Before long, Adam and Eve realized that the sun was slipping away. First it began to sink beneath the clouds, to fall behind the mountains, and then the sky became dark, the air cold.

This engaging new story from award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso explores fear and hope, faith and gratitude in ways that will delight kids and adults—inspiring us to bless each of God''s new days and nights.

Poor and: the word everyone takes for granted. So tiny, so common, so easily overlooked. Yet if it weren''t for and, so much would fall apart! Who knew such a little word could make such a big difference?

When an array of opinionated shapes just can''t find common ground, AND comes to the rescue. AND is the link that helps each pair of shapes overcome their differences, teaming up to create something entirely new. Bouncy rhyming text and colorful paintings come together in a fable that will prompt children to look for the unexpected connections all around them. Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer has recorded an original song based on the story, available to readers as a bonus download at www.flyawaybooks.com/resources.