In the Days of Sand and Stars

Susan Merskey is freelance writer in London, Ontario.

In the Days of Sand and Stars is a collection of 10 Midrash stories
(hypothetical tales based on bits of information found in the Bible).
The stories feature nine women of the Bible: Eve, Naamah, Sarai, Sarah,
Rebecca, Leah, Rachel, Dina, and Yocheved.

Author Marlee Pinsker, who currently lives in Toronto, received the
Teacher of Excellence Award in 2002. In this, her first book, she has
explored the biblical texts containing these women’s stories in search
of new insights that are relevant to the present day. Each story is
skilfully told and complemented by Quebec artist Franзois Thisdale’s
digitally enhanced illustrations. With its gold-edged glossy pages, the
book itself is a thing of beauty.

Containing much that is relevant to all girls of Judeo-Christian
faiths, In the Days of Sand and Stars would make an inspirational
present for a bat mitzvah or confirmation. The book would also be a
useful teaching tool for older Hebrew-school and Sunday-school students.
Recommended.