Benjamin and the Silver Goblet

by Jacqueline Jules, Natascia Ugliano (Illustrator)

Overview

Drought has come to Canaan and Jacob’s sons must travel to Egypt to look for food, including youngest son Benjamin. Their brother Joseph, now governor of the land, wonders if his brothers have changed since the days they sold him into slavery. Would they abandon Benjamin too? Told through the eyes of young Benjamin, the story of Joseph’s test and the dramatic reunion of the brothers will capture the imagination of readers young and old.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781512487695
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2012
Series:	Bible
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	319,807
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Natascia Ugliano received her diploma at the Fine Arts Academy of Brera, in Milan, Italy. She has illustrated many children's books including Abraham's Search for God, Sarah Laughs, and Benjamin and the Silver Goblet. She lives in Milan.
Jacqueline Jules is an award-winning author and poet. Her many children's books include The Hardest Word (National Jewish Book Award finalist), Happy Hanukkah Lights, and Picnic at Camp Shalom. She lives in northern Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 3

The biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors is widely known, but less so is the tale of how Joseph's family was finally reunited through Benjamin, his youngest brother. It's a story of intrigue, as the older brothers hid their past crime of selling Joseph into Egyptian slavery, and Joseph (now a powerful Egyptian governor) framed Benjamin as a thief to see how his brothers reacted (would they protect or forsake him?). Benjamin's point of view is the focus here, and his youthful, open-hearted responses to his adventures help to clarify the story's murky motivations for young readers. In the denouement, Benjamin realized that "he would always be safe" with his reunited brothers, making for an emotionally satisfying conclusion. The writing is elegantly simple. Full-color spreads give a sense of the Middle Eastern landscape, and the artist makes each of the 12 brothers a distinct individual. The faces are expressive, and Benjamin, in particular, appears lovably innocent. A fine introduction to the biblical tale for young readers, with a strong message about the importance of forgiveness and family.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

School Library Journal

When Jacob's sons arrive home from their travels in Egypt, they tell their father that one brother is being held as a hostage by the governor, who demands that they return with the youngest brother, Benjamin. The child, aching to see the world, is only too happy to oblige, though Jacob fears that he will lose this son the way he lost his eldest, Joseph, years before. In Egypt, the governor treats them lavishly, but as they depart, his silver goblet is found among Benjamin's possessions. Unbeknownst to them, the governor is actually Joseph, sold into slavery years before by these elder brothers. He is testing his siblings to see if they will seek to sell this child, too, to atone for the cup. Instead they beg for mercy, proving remorse for their former actions and prompting a happy reunion. Well paced and well told, this familiar story makes itself fresh with a folkloric feel and a satisfying ending. Ugliano's heavily textured, colorful pastel illustrations ably support and extend the text. This is the third in the publisher's Bible series. (author's note) (Picture book/religion. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews