Miriam and Her Dancing Shoes

"Uplifting...about finding reasons to celebrate the successes of life, even when times are tough."—School Library Journal

An AJL Holiday Highlights book!

This interpretation of the familiar biblical story of the Exodus shifts the focus to Moses’ older sister Miriam, whose bravery and celebratory dance provided hope for her people during a dark and dangerous journey, and shows how emotional needs can be as important as physical ones.

The Israelites are fleeing slavery in Egypt. There is no time to pack, but Miriam brings her timbrel and her dancing shoes. Her brother Moses is frustrated, “We’re running for our lives, not planning a party!” But when they need to cross the Red Sea, it is Miriam who keeps their spirits up, leading her people in a dance towards freedom.

"A religious picture book that takes place during the biblical book of Exodus and highlights the importance of a female character, Miriam. Sasso's story is a loose adaptation, playing with the timing of events to emphasize a deeper truth. The story contrasts the positivity of Miriam, who celebrates the newfound freedom of the Jewish people, against the complaints of the others who are more concerned about the difficulties of the journey ahead. The uplifting message is about finding reasons to celebrate the successes of life, even when times are tough. This unique focus sets it apart from less creative adaptations. The illustrations use deep and rich colors, giving the feeling of older paintings. The vibrancy of the pictures is unique and alluring. The high contrast might even expand this interest to slightly younger audiences. Shying away from realism allows readers to imagine what these historical figures may have looked like. VERDICT A nice addition to libraries where religious stories are of high interest."

—School Library Journal