Always Adam

by Sheldon Oberman, Ted Lewin

Adam and his family flee Czarist Russia at the onset of the Revolution, and his grandfather gives Adam his prayer shawl. The move brings huge changes, but Adam is reassured by both his name and his prayer shawl, the constants in his life which he, in turn, will pass to another.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published May 11, 1995

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent picturebook in which we see two lives of two Adams. The first one is of Adam (the Elder) who passes on his story of life as a Jewish boy in Russia during the second world war. Much is alluded to but nothing is explicit - the words and the pictures are enough to promote rich discussion here (and I especially liked the past being painted in black and white).
What is handed down between both the younger and older Adam is the prayer shawl which undergoes changes and amendments as it becomes worn and well used and it is only when the younger Adam also grows up and passes the shawl on to his own grandson (the former's story set in full colour) that we understand the importance of remembrance in whatever form it takes and why we must remember those before us as well. Ideal for UKS2 and I would argue vital for any form of Judaism study as well as WW2. Additionally, it's just a very good book which celebrates family, heritage and a sense of belonging to a line which continues.