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NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK HIGHLIGHTS AN UNSUNG HEROINE Just as children spend much of autumn planning Halloween costumes, when winter turns to spring, Jewish children everywhere ponder the age-old question: Whom should I dress as for Purim this year? Most girls opt to become Queen Esther, the beautiful heroine of the Purim story. But is Queen Esther the Purim tale's only heroine? The Purim Costume, a brand-new children's book from URJ Press, takes a fresh look at the traditional tale of ancient Persia through the eyes of a modern-day child. Written by renowned storyteller Peninnah Schram and colorfully illustrated by Tammy L. Keiser, The Purim Costume determines that another female character, Vashti, is also a heroine. Young Rebecca is tired of dressing up as Queen Esther every year. In a classic mother-daughter scene, Rebecca's mother suggests many options, but none appeal to Rebecca. Finally, her mother suggests Vashti, the first wife of King Ahasuerus, and Rebecca consents to this unusual option. Later, as Rebecca watches the community Purim-spiel (the traditional dramatization of the tale), she comes to realize just how important Vashti was. When the judges at the costume contest ask Rebecca why she chose to be Vashti, she replies, "Because she's the most important person in the story. If Vashti had danced for the king as he had requested, Esther would not have been able to be the new queen. So we have to thank Vashti for helping to save the Jewish people, too." Featuring charming and often humorous illustrations, The Purim Costume is appropriate for children ages 5 through 8, and retails for $13.95. It is available in hardcover editions from URJ Press, and can be ordered online at the Press website, www.urjpress.com, or by calling toll-free, (888) 489-8242. The URJ Press is the book-publishing arm of the Union for Reform
Judaism (formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). The Union
is the central body of the Reform Movement in North America, and unites
more than 1.5 million Reform Jews in 900 congregations across the United
States and Canada. The Union's programs and services include music
and book publishing, adult education opportunities, outreach to unaffiliated
and intermarried Jews, and the Religious Action Center in Washington,
DC. ### 1/05
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