One noise after another wakes Mrs. Strauss from a sound sleep in her small Israeli village. The rooster's loud crow wakes her, and then the cat's meow disturbs her as she tries to fall back to sleep. A mosquito buzzes, while the rooster and cat keep up their calls. "Sheket," she yells out her window, "Quiet." Music from the grocer's radio, the toot-toot of the train whistle, even the swish of the street sweeper all add to the cacophony. Mrs. Strauss pulls her pillow over her head, creating a cool spot to block the harsh sunlight. She falls asleep and dreams of coolness and shade. A different sound awakens her, and this one is heartily welcome; it is the geshem, the heavy rain that will reawaken the parched land. It's a much longed-for wet day. Readers might wonder why the title is so specific in naming the setting of the tale. But Israel's climate is really the main character, with long scorching dry spells and that first heavy rain everyone hopes and prays for, and MacLeod weaves hints about the theme in the distress of the animals and the hot, strong sunlight that shines in the window. Beeke's very bright paintings show the village in the sun's glare and the rain's softer light and Mrs. Strauss' every reaction (and her immovable blue hair, which sits atop her tan face). A lovely peek into life in Israel. (note) (Picture book. 4-8) --Kirkus Reviews"It is the end of a hot, dry summer, and Mrs. Strauss just can't fall asleep. But when at last she falls asleep, something wakes her up again -- something her little village in Israel has been waiting for all summer long! The collaborative work of author Jennifer MacLeod and illustrator/artist Tiphanie Beeke, Fast Asleep in a Little Village in Israel is a wonderfully charming and thoroughly entertaining picture book story for children ages 2-5 that is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, kindergarten, and community library collections."— Midwest Book Review"Ever wonder what sound a rooster makes in Hebrew? You’ll find out in this touching children’s book that takes place in a small village in Israel. With an infusion of Hebrew words and Israeli cultural nuances, and with soft watercolor illustrations by Tiphanie Beeke, this book will help you hear the sounds of rural Israel and help your youngster get a peek at everyday life here — noisy as it can be."— Israel21c
