The Language of Angels
A Story About the Reinvention of Hebrew
2018 Sydney Taylor Book Award
2017 National Jewish Book Award
In 1885, few Jews in Israel used the holy language of their ancestors, and Hebrew was in danger of being lost—until Ben Zion and his father got involved. Through the help of his father and a community of children, Ben modernized the ancient language, creating a lexicon of new, modern words to bring Hebrew back into common usage. Historically influenced dialogue, engaging characters, and colorful art offer a linguistic journey about how language develops and how one person's perseverance can make a real difference.
Influenced by illuminated manuscripts, Karla Gudeon’s illustrations bring Ben Zion—and the rebirth of Hebrew—to life.
A compelling emotional journey — Publisher's Weekly
A lively introduction to the work of a Hebrew…
Richard Michelson is a prize-winning poet whose work has been praised by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel as "deeply moving." His many children's books include Ten Times Better, A Book of Flies: Real and Otherwise, and Animals That Ought to Be, all illustrated by the late Caldecott Honor artist Leonard Baskin, and Grandpa's Gamble, illustrated by American Book Award winner Barry Moser. Like Aaron in Too Young for Yiddish, Richard grew up in Brooklyn, New York, rooted for Sandy Koufax, and learned to appreciate his Jewish heritage later in life. He now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children. Richard is the owner of R. Michelson Galleries, which represents many of the country's most prominent children's book illustrators.
The Language of Angels
Richard Michelson (Author); Karla Gudeon (Illustrator)Karla Gudeon's current body of work is influenced by illuminated manuscripts and folk art, and thematically portrays the most meaningful elements of her life: family, culture, strong women, an open-minded world view, and the natural world. Karla chose the name Gudeon Family Press for her collection as a tribute to her parents, grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins who demonstrate how life can be lived as an artistic extravaganza. Karla's celebrated paintings are displayed in galleries and distinguished collections throughout the country and abroad. Her images have been commissioned for book covers, calendars, greeting cards and award winning children's books. Karla lives in New York with her two supportive and amusing sons, Sam and Max.