{"id":5283,"date":"2021-02-14T00:01:31","date_gmt":"2021-02-14T06:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=5283"},"modified":"2021-02-13T16:48:36","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T22:48:36","slug":"7-imps-7-kicks-730-featuring-maya-ish-shalom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=5283","title":{"rendered":"7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks #730: Featuring Maya Ish-Shalom"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Author Leda Schubert<\/a><\/strong> shares a story based on her own family in Nathan’s Song<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (Dial, February 2021), illustrated by Maya Ish-Shalom<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 a picture book that is a valentine to family (and<\/em> keeping family stories alive). I’ve got some spreads today from this spirited, big-hearted true tale. <\/p>\n

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“From the time Nathan was a little boy in Russia, he loved to sing,” the book opens. One day, Nathan hears an opera singer and knows that he wants to sing like him, his Papa telling him that, in order to do so, he must study in Italy. The family saves, and on Nathan’s sixteenth birthday they tearily send him on his way. At the waterfront of the Black Sea, however, the port is crowded and filled with ships, and Nathan accidentally boards one heading to New York. Promising to “sing for [his] supper,” he serenades everyone on board \u2014 passengers at fancy dinners, at dances, and in steerage. <\/p>\n

After accepting his payment, he lands in New York and makes a life for himself. While selling hats, he sings. A man approaches him one day to ask if he may teach Nathan. And Nathan, post-training, ends up singing “his beloved operas in restaurants, and at weddings, and even in small theaters. Then, on one exciting night, he joined performers on a big Broadway stage.” <\/p>\n

Nathan also falls in love with Sonia, whom he marries. Finally, too, he can afford to send for his family back home and finds his parents at crowded, bustling Ellis Island by \u2014 what else? \u2014 raising his voice in song and calling them to him. <\/p>\n

Leda’s closing author’s note reveals that Nathan and Sonia are her grandparents:<\/p>\n

This story was inspired by my grandfather, who was born during the final decade of the nineteenth century in what was Bessarabia, a part of Russia. Life for Jews in Russia was extremely challenging. Most were forced to live in a restricted area known as “The Pale,” were rarely allowed to own land, and were subject to frequent pogroms (massacres) and other anti-Semitic actions. They could only work in limited professions. For these and other reasons, millions of Jews left Russia before World War I. Among them were my grandparents and their families.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this same note, Leda also recalls hearing him sing at family gatherings. “I will never forget his beautiful voice.”<\/p>\n

Israeli illustrator Maya Ish-Shalom, who works in a gently stylized contemporary folk-art style, brings readers a crisp, brightly colored palette, filled with vivid yellows, warm and deep greens, bright oranges, and rich blues. Her palette adds to the joy flowing through this story that pays tribute to a Jewish immigrant who saw his dreams come true and managed to reunite with the family he loved. Here are some spreads so that you can see for yourself ….
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“One day a famous opera singer gave a concert in the next village.
Nathan and his family were there. ‘I did not know anything
could be so beautiful,’ said Nathan. ‘I want to sing like that.'”<\/em>
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)<\/center>
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“The land became a distant speck and a sailor said, ‘NEXT STOP, NEW YORK!’
‘New York?’ Nathan cried. ‘But my ticket is for Italy!'”<\/em>
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)<\/center>
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(Two images above: Click either image to see spread its entirety)<\/em><\/center>
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“Nathan knew. He sang, and his powerful voice rose over the crowds.
He sang with all the love he had. Mama and Papa heard and came running.”<\/em>
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)<\/center>
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(Click cover to enlarge)<\/em><\/center>
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\nNATHAN’S SONG. Text copyright \u00a9 2021 by Leda Schubert. Illustrations \u00a9 2021 by Maya Ish-Shalom and reproduced by permission of the publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers, New York.<\/em> <\/p>\n

* * * Jules’s Kicks * * *<\/strong><\/font>
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Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.<\/p>\n

1)<\/strong><\/font> Walks. <\/p>\n

2)<\/strong><\/font> This news:
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3)<\/strong><\/font> The Sound of Metal<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. I used to work at a school for the deaf and as an interpreter with the Deaf community in East Tennessee, and this movie really gets<\/em> it. And Riz Ahmed’s performance is exceptionally good. <\/p>\n

4)<\/strong><\/font> First Cow<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. And the way Cookie talks to the cow as he milks it. <\/p>\n

5)<\/strong><\/font> Uri Shulevitz’s Chance<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. Hard to read, but so very good.
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\n6)<\/strong><\/font> Bittersweet brownie shortbread. <\/p>\n

7)<\/strong><\/font> Elise Gravel’s<\/a><\/strong> short comic about “The Cat God.” Be sure to click through all four images:
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A post shared by Elise Gravel (@elise_gravel)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n