"Shmulik is an artist who's asked by the mayor to create a mural and decorate the town park forthe Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration. Excited about the opportunity, Shmulikwalks the town, searching unsuccessfully for inspiration and finding excuses like drowsiness, hunger,and taking care of a kitten to delay the project each day, while his loyal and cheerful canine companion,Ezra, trots behind him, quietly bursting with creative ideas. Ezra dips his paws into Shmulik's paintcans and transforms the park into a brilliant, colorful surprise and ultimately the perfect setting for thefestivities. While the story is told simply, Catalina Echeverri's illustrative style makes this selectionstand out. Background scenes are depicted in soft hues and patterns of greys, while the artistic elementsof the story - Shmulik's splotchy smock, his appropriately messy studio, and Ezra's creations - aredone in vibrant colors making a wonderful contrast. Ezra's mural is particularly dazzling, with Israel inspiredimages like pomegranates, camels, palm trees, menorahs, and children holding Israeli flags,all depicted in a Matisselikedesign. Two concerns for Jewish librarians are the story's ambiguous setting and its questionable authenticity.While not stated, one would assume from various images that the setting is Israel.
Therefore, the choiceto make all of the background signage in the town in English except for two lone, identical store signsin Hebrew lettering seems inconsistent. In addition, the last letter of these two Hebrew signs, which aremeant to say, 'open,' is inaccurately printed, making the word untranslatable. Other Judaic elementsinclude the brief description of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Shmulik and Ezra both taking a creative rest forShabbat, and the mayor's exclamation of thanks to Shmulik in Hebrew. Children will enjoy Ezra'sfearless approach to art, and art teachers may find it can serve as an inspirational classroom tool thoughdiscerning Jewish librarians may take issue with some of the details." -- AJL Reviews.