Bezalel is an Israelite slave in Egypt. Despite life’s difficulties, Bezalel is able to see the beauty in everyday things. He collects shiny stones, colourful string and scaly snakeskin, and stores them in his treasured Beautiful Things Box.
When Moses leads the Jewish people out of Egypt, Bezalel refuses to leave the box behind. Then God asks Moses to build him a special dwelling place, a mishkan, for when He visits the Israelites. But where in the desert can the people find objects worthy of God? In Bezalel’s Beautiful Things Box, of course.
Author Leah Rachel Berkowitz takes the story of Bezalel found in the book of Exodus and makes it come alive for five- and six-year-olds, while Daniele Fabbri’s stylish illustrations combine evocative period detail with contemporary design.
The World Needs Beautiful Things has links to the festivals of both Sukkot and Pesach, but the core story -- and its wider themes of valuing difference and appreciating the beauty in the everyday -- has appeal all year round.
October 22, 2018