Laura Krauss Melmed

Author Laura Krauss Melmed and illustrator Jim LaMarche, who previously collaborated on that marvelous original fairy-tale, The Rainbabies, return to the form in this lovely volume. When a lonely woman creates an origami girl, she finds that her creation has come to life, and that Little Oh, as she is called, has soon become a real child to her. But although the woman attempts to keep her fragile daughter safe, Little Oh becomes lost during a trip to the market, and must make her way in a show more wide and dangerous world. Surviving a trip downriver in a teacup, and a ride on a white crane, Little Oh eventually comes to rest in the garden of a father and son who very much need a wife and mother, not to mention a daughter and sister...

The story in Little Oh put me in mind of any number of folk and fairy-tales featuring miniature people, particularly Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina, and the English story of Tom Thumb. The cultural setting here is Japanese, and the author and illustrator thank one Junko Yokota for her consultation, at the back of the book. I found Melmed's story itself quite entertaining, and think that children who enjoy stories of adventure and magic will be likewise engrossed. The accompanying artwork from LaMarche is just gorgeous, as always, capturing the beauty of the world around Little Oh, and the changing emotional state of the humans she encounters. Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, and to fellow Jim LaMarche fans. show less

A generous and gentle soul, Moishe the Milkman was forever giving away extra milk and cream to the poorer villagers, driving his penny-pinching wife, Baila - a born complainer and scolder - to distraction. When his kindheartedness is rewarded, and a magical frying pan - one which produces an endless supply of latkes, if (and only if) Moishe is using it - is mysteriously left in his barn as a gift, it seems that all the couple's problems have been solved. Now they will always have enough for show more themselves, and for all their friends and neighbors as well! But Baila, not content with the gift, tries to use it herself, in order to make a profit, and disaster ensues. Instead of latkes, she's produced demons! Can everything be set to rights again...?

An engaging original story, one that reads like a traditional folktale, Moishe's Miracle follows the basic narrative outline of stories like The Sorcerer's Apprentice, or Strega Nona, in which a magical gift or ability, when wielded by someone for whom it was not intended, goes dangerously awry. I liked the ending here, in which the rabbi's arrival puts a stop to the frying pan's shenanigans, and the magical ability is lost, as this highlights the notion that our actions have consequences, often permanent. The artwork, done by David Slonim in earthy tones, is marvelously expressive (one can almost hear Baila rolling her eyes, in one scene), and adds to the book's other charms. All in all, an appealing Hanukkah title, one I would recommend to anyone looking for fun stories for the holiday! show less

Immediately after reading this, I went back and read it again, savoring the wonderful images. LaMarche is one of my favorite illustrators. Every work he does is breathtaking, but in particular, The Rainbabies resonated with me.

This is indeed a fairy tale with a happy ending. Though there is joy, followed by impending doom and peril, all is right in the end. There is no evilness; there is only elation, love and sheer joy.

I tremendously admire the art of LaMarche. His images, particularly in show more this book, shine through with soft, realistic patina.

An older, barren couple lament that they do not have children. They have everything they need and want, except a child.

One night, the wife implores her husband to wish on the moon. Soon thereafter, a moon shower occurs, and as they search the soft, rain-filled grass they discover a dozen teeny, tiny, no bigger than a thumb, fully formed babies.

They so enjoy taking care of the babies, singing to them, dressing them, and rocking them. Presented with a series of frequent times of peril and crisis, including a wild animal who takes one of the babies in his mouth and runs away, and there is the experience of a fast-moving storm that threatens to end the happiness of a picnic in the boat when the babies are whisked away.

Throughout the events of crisis, their only aim is to protect the children. Mother moonshine appears to thank the elderly couple for the wonderful way in which they have protected her babies. Claiming the moon babies back into her fold, she rewards the couple with a real life daughter of their own.

This book is sappy and wonderful! Sure to bring a smile to even the hardened soul, it is a delightful, sugar coated, refreshing treat of swirling happiness. show less

Author Laura Krauss Melmed and illustrator Jim LaMarche join forces in this beautiful original fairy-tale, which follows the trials and tribulations of an elderly couple who longs for a child. When they discover twelve little rainbabies in a moon shower one night, they take in the diminutive orphans, and protect them from every danger, whether from water or fire. They are offered riches for the babies, but they refuse, and their worth as parents is rewarded when Mother Moonshower arrives to show more claim her children, bringing a human child in exchange...

Although I have enjoyed other books by both Melmed and LaMarche, and although I have long been aware of The Rainbabies, which was first published almost thirty years ago, I never happened to pick it up. Thanks are due to my friend Amalie for recommending it to me, and reminding me to get to it! The story itself is engaging, with lots of traditional folk/fairy-tale elements, from the childless couple to the miniature children, and the accompanying artwork is simply gorgeous! LaMarche never fails to please, and his luminous paintings here are particularly lovely. Recommended to fairy-tale lovers, and to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture-books. show less