BENJAMIN AND THE SILVER GOBLET

When Jacob’s sons arrive home from their travels in Egypt, they tell their father that one brother is being held as a hostage by the governor, who demands that they return with the youngest brother, Benjamin. The child, aching to see the world, is only too happy to oblige, though Jacob fears that he will lose this son the way he lost his eldest, Joseph, years before. In Egypt, the governor treats them lavishly, but as they depart, his silver goblet is found among Benjamin’s possessions. Unbeknownst to them, the governor is actually Joseph, sold into slavery years before by these elder brothers. He is testing his siblings to see if they will seek to sell this child, too, to atone for the cup. Instead they beg for mercy, proving remorse for their former actions and prompting a happy reunion. Well paced and well told, this familiar story makes itself fresh with a folkloric feel and a satisfying ending. Ugliano’s heavily textured, colorful pastel illustrations ably support and extend the text. This is the third in the publisher’s Bible series. (author’s note) (Picture book/religion. 6-9)