Editorial Review

“The roof of a train and the roof of the sky deliver a picture book about Israel’s Independence Day. Engineer Arielle, energetic, 21st century, modern, urban train engineer is the great, great granddaughter of Engineer Ari renowned for his adventures driving the first ever train in Jerusalem in the last 19th century (and the star of previous titles Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride, Engineer Ari and the Sukkah Express, Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap, and Engineer Ari and the Passover Rush). Arielle and her pilot brother, Ezra, here combine in a sweet story about Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, giving libraries a topic rarely covered in picture book stories and readers a link to a favorite hero. While most Israeli natives take a holiday from work to celebrate, Arielle and Ezra take joy in the importance of their work on this special day. The tale sets up a mystery about why everyone will see Ezra no matter where they are. Arielle tapes a poster whose message we cannot see to the roof of her light rail cab. As she drives by buildings and through neighborhoods picking up passengers, readers learn about Jerusalem landmarks, historical events and national holiday customs. The text contains transliteration of Hebrew words. The mobile illustrations in muted colors capture the spirit and pride of the characters and the plot. The climax of the picture book is the actual acrobatic, annual air show, a special flyover all of Israel performed by the Israeli Air Force. Ezra is the lead pilot and as the pilots write Israel across the sky, we discover the poster message on the train roof: ‘Yom Ha’Atzma’ut sameach Ezra.’ A happy holiday and a happy read!”—Association of Jewish Libraries