Zhen Yu and the Snake

Author Eria Lyons has rewritten the Talmidic tale of Rabbi Akiva's daughter and set it in twelfth century China. Renia Metallinou's beautiful watercolor illustrations help bring that ancient world to life. In both the original and the adapted story a young bride's life is saved by her generosity. Bu......more

This book is a beautiful rendering of an ancient tale of Zhen Yu. She is an extraordinary girl from the village of Keifeng. The way that Zhen Yu is extraordinary is how generous she is to others. When she gets separated from her father in the market, a fortune teller gives her father hints of where......more

If found this book very interesting, since it as about an ancient tale I've never heard before. I enjoyed learning about another culture through the text and the details included in the beautiful illustrations. I had no idea there was a Jew community in China. However, what I loved most is that in i......more

I really enjoyed Zhen Yu and the Snake. The story had a nostalgic quality for me as it reminded me of the stories that I used to read in the Golden Treasury of Children’s Literature when I was a child. I love that the story is based on a Talmudic tale and that readers will take away powerful message......more

I loved ZHEN YU AND THE SNAKE! I like that Erica Lyons includes, in her author's note, the original Talmudic tale. She retells the story beautifully, emphasizing the value of kindness. And Renia Metallinou's illustrations are gorgeous. I highly recommend this book, both for the intriguing story of h......more