"Eve and Adam are thoroughly enjoying their miraculous life in the Garden of Eden.Eve has questions about the wonders around her, especially the large and mysterious Tree of Knowledge. God warns them that if they eat the tree’s fruit, they’ll be forced to leave Eden forever. Adam is content, but Eve’s curiosity leads her closer to disobeying—surely they should make up their own minds, using the brains that God gave them? And the snake further provokes her discontent. The well-known outcome is inevitable, and their leaving is both poignant and hopeful, for their lives must now be of their own making. In this companion to Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day (2023), Kimmelman again employs the ancient Jewish tradition of midrash to interpret Bible stories, this time emphasizing Eve’s thirst for knowledge and the tender trust between her and Adam. Avgustinovich’s brightly expressive artwork captures both Eden’s beauty and the developing personalities of Eve and Adam—in particular, wide-eyed Eve’s inquisitiveness, joy, and frustrations. Laced with humor and empathy, Kimmelman’s probing narrative leave readers with plenty to ponder about human nature. Brown-skinned Eve and Adam are initially nude, though covered up by strategically placed hair, leaves, and bushes; upon eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, both become clothed.Tender and thought-provoking." —Kirkus Reviews"This framing of the story form Genesis casts Eve as a heroine and celebrates knowledge not as humanity's downfall, but as a glorious opportunity. Eve's earnest curiosity may be familiar to young readers whose minds are also exploding with questions like, "Why is the sky blue?" and "How do turtles grow shells?" The central question in this narrative is "How can knowledge be dangerous?" and in Kimmelman's careful framing, it turns out not to be dangerous after all. God expresses disappointment in Adam and Eve's disobedience but never implies that their exile from Eden is a punishment. While Adam uselessly panics, Eve recognizes that although the future is scary, God is giving them the opportunity for an "amazing adventure." The jewel-toned palette of the digital illustrations beings the lush garden to life, while Eve's flowing hair gives each spread a sense of movement and also serves to hide the characters' naked bodies. An author's note asks readers to consider a time when they, like Adam and Eve, experienced a "big, funny mix of feelings," and celebrates these moments of contradiction and ambivalence as a fundamental aspect of the human condition.VERDICT: After thousands of years of one interpretation, the old story is reinvigorated by this perspective, making it a welcome addition to collections." —School Library Journal"Midrash is a part of Jewish tradition, and Kimmelman shared an imaginative perspective on Adam, Eve, the Garden of Eden, and the Tree of Knowledge. Gorgeous illustrations bring the garden to life. Eve is portrayed as inquisitive. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge forces Adam and Eve to leave paradise. Compare and contrast this picture book with the Torah text for a lively, interesting discussion."—Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle"This is a beautiful sequel to Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day. It tells the stories of naming the animals, eating from the tree of knowledge, and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The colorful illustrations are vibrant, full of movement and expression.Eve is curious, 'God has made Eve full of questions,' while Adam is content, 'to admire the wild, lush loveliness of the kingdom God had given them.' After God discovers they have been tempted by the snake and disobeyed, they react like children: Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the snake. But, like a good parent, God waits for them to accept responsibility for their actions. Leaving Eden is less a punishment than an appropriate consequence to their behavior. As imperfect people, they are going on to 'amazing adventures,' promising to 'take care of each other.' And God responds that their new knowledge will help them and, 'I will always be just a whisper away.'The book concludes with a letter to the readers about the idea of new adventures and fresh starts, relating the Eden story to a child's experiences. The copyright page has a note explaining that the story, 'is told using the ancient Jewish tradition of studying and filling in the gaps of Bible stories called midrash.' Certainly, this is not the traditional Bible story, but it is an authentic depiction of real human emotion. It is a story children can relate to with real characters who behave in recognizable ways, rather than a tale of temptation by evil and subsequent punishment.High recommended for purchase for home, schools, and libraries."—Association of Jewish Libraries
