PreS-Gr 1 This mediocre picture book describes how the world became quiet when Hashem (God) gave the Torah to the Jewish people. The text consists of page after page of negatively constructed sentences ("The people did not talk. The babies did not cry. The birds did not chirp") that lead to a predictable conclusion. The old-fashioned watercolor illustrations are uneven, with appealing storybook farm animals and pastoral scenes set next to cutesy people with cloying expressions. A niche purchase at best for collections serving an observant Jewish community. Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles

This tale adapted from the Midrash tells readers, "When Hashem gave us the Torah, the whole world was quiet." The thought is expanded into a dull list ("The people did not talk. The babies did not cry....The geese did not honk, and the ducks did not quack") and illustrated with garish 1950s cartoon-style art. A two-word glossary is included. This will be of limited use in Jewish religious schools.