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A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon
A good king is looking for the right words to help his people, rich or poor, deal with life's challenges. Ezra, a humble servant boy, wants to help the king solve his problem. Finally, through a series of mishaps, Ezra hands the king a strange gift—and the perfect words. Many cultures around the world have told versions of this story for centuries. President Abraham Lincoln even included one in a speech. This lively version is adapted from a Jewish source, and it is the great king Solomon who is searching for those precious words to help his people. Author Simpson and illustrator Bernhard once again invite children into the mystery and excitement of another faraway world.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2025
7 people want to read
About the author
Martha Seif Simpson
9 books9 followersMartha Seif Simpson is a retired Children’s Librarian and an author. She has four traditionally published picture books: What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day, The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, and Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim. Her newest book is A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon. A new Hanukkah book will be published in the Fall of 2026.
She enjoys talking about her books at conferences, libraries, schools and community centers. See her website, www.Martha-Seif-Simpson.com, to arrange a visit. You can also find her on Facebook at Martha Kidlit Author, on Twitter @MarthaSimpMLS, and on Bluesky @marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social.
She enjoys talking about her books at conferences, libraries, schools and community centers. See her website, www.Martha-Seif-Simpson.com, to arrange a visit. You can also find her on Facebook at Martha Kidlit Author, on Twitter @MarthaSimpMLS, and on Bluesky @marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 12, 2025
How often have you heard the quote “This too shall pass” ?
Martha Seif Simpson has written a beautiful retelling of the ancient folktale. This saying has often been attributed to King Solomon. By creating a story from the view point of a young servant in his court, she makes this concept relatable to youngsters. In her story the wise king wonders “What can you say to make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble?” His young servant asks many people if they have a suggestion. Finally, one person provides inspiration to the king in the form of a ring. This book has been beautifully illustrated by D. Yael Bernhard who took inspiration from art in different Jerusalem museums. This ancient saying is time tested and can still be used today to bring hope to those who are sad or remind those who are too proud that things can change. Parents, grandparents and teachers can use this story to help explain this idea to youngsters.
Martha Seif Simpson has written a beautiful retelling of the ancient folktale. This saying has often been attributed to King Solomon. By creating a story from the view point of a young servant in his court, she makes this concept relatable to youngsters. In her story the wise king wonders “What can you say to make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble?” His young servant asks many people if they have a suggestion. Finally, one person provides inspiration to the king in the form of a ring. This book has been beautifully illustrated by D. Yael Bernhard who took inspiration from art in different Jerusalem museums. This ancient saying is time tested and can still be used today to bring hope to those who are sad or remind those who are too proud that things can change. Parents, grandparents and teachers can use this story to help explain this idea to youngsters.
April 8, 2025
Martha Simpson has written a beautiful picture book A RING FOR A KING: A TALE OF KING SOLOMON. It is masterfully crafted and easily accessible to a parent or grandparent reading the book aloud to a child and discussing it. The gorgeous illustrations by D. Yael Bernhard are so fitting and make the reader feel as though you are in the time of King Solomon and immersed in his wisdom. I loved the banners! The author chose to present the story from a child’s point of view, that of a fictitious character Ezra in the court of King Solomon in biblical times. Normally that time period wouldn’t be that remote, except that Simpson makes you believe that it is happening now. And certainly in our present times, the issues can be relatable as well as the solution. The writing is delightful and feels as though every word has been chosen for a reason, including the repetition. I have often heard the expression, “This too shall pass” and wondered about its origin many times, After reading this story, I believe it will comfort me even more. I highly recommend this Wisdom Tales book.
June 11, 2025
A retelling through the eyes of a humble kitchen servant based on the story “This too shall pass.” Love that it has dual application of hope and humility.
May 22, 2025
A perfect pairing with Esther's Gragger by this same creative team, Martha Seif Simpson's A Ring for a King is a thoughtful picture book for all young readers within the Jewish tradition--as well as for young readers from any tradition, religion, or culture. Gently and sensitively, it offers wisdom and comfort for those who struggle with setbacks or suffer from the small everyday mishaps of life. Using the ancient story of a hidden message--"This too shall pass"--within a ring, it advises patience and courage in the face of troubles--and humility in moments of vanity. The illustrations are both gentle and cheerful--and a fine accompaniment to the accessible and engaging prose.
April 10, 2025
When King Solomon confides in Ezra, his young cup-bearer, that sometimes he just doesn’t know how to comfort a sad citizen or make a proud citizen humble, his servant boy goes on a quest to help his beloved king. Little does he know that a gold ring holds the answer. Beautifully illustrated by D. Yael Bernhard, A Ring for a King, is a hopeful and uplifting story for our troubled times. Recommended for kids 4 - 10.
April 26, 2025
An engaging, accessible story for children that speaks to perseverance and humility, following a child named Ezra as he interacts with King Solomon and learns timeless life lessons. The story brings to life the meaning behind the phrase "This too shall pass" -- words that can bring comfort when we are going through trying times, and humility when everything seems to be going in our favor. I enjoyed Martha Seif Simpson's retelling of this story that has circulated through numerous cultures for centuries and that will surely continue to do, including through this beautiful new book.
April 13, 2025
King Solomon is a wise king who knows how to write the best laws for his kingdom. But he is troubled because he doesn't have the right words "to make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble."
A young servant in Solomon's palace vows to help the king in this creative retelling of a famous folktale. Martha Seif Simpson has told this engaging story in simple, direct language, making it accessible to young readers. The book is elegantly illustrated in warm colors by D. Yael Bernhard. Buy this for friends and loved ones as a beautiful gift and ask your local library to carry it.
A young servant in Solomon's palace vows to help the king in this creative retelling of a famous folktale. Martha Seif Simpson has told this engaging story in simple, direct language, making it accessible to young readers. The book is elegantly illustrated in warm colors by D. Yael Bernhard. Buy this for friends and loved ones as a beautiful gift and ask your local library to carry it.
May 23, 2025
A meaningful and engaging story- highly recommend!
April 3, 2025
From King Solomon To Abraham Lincoln
On September 30, 1859, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee and alluded to the ancient saying "this too shall pass." Here are Lincoln's words. "It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentiment to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words, 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride; how consoling in the depths of affliction! 'And this, too, shall pass away.' And yet, let us hope, it is not quite true. Let us hope, rather, that by the best cultivation of the physical world, beneath and around us, and the intellectual and moral worlds within us, we shall secure an individual, social, and political prosperity and happiness, whose course shall be onward and upward, and which, while the earth endures, shall not pass away."
Lincoln spoke words of hope for difficult times, both his own and for today. I was reminded of these words by Martha Seif Simpson's note to her new children's book "A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon" which places their possible origin during the reign of King Solomon (c 930 -- 971 BCE). Written for children between 4 and 8 years of age, the story has a timeless message for both children and adults. D. Yael Bernard beautifully illustrated the book using ancient artifacts and sources available in several archeological museums in Jerusalem. Simpson and Bernard have collaborated on several earlier children's books with Jewish settings, including "The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin" and "Esther's Gragger".
This retelling features a young lad, Ezra, who works as a kitchen servant in the court of King Solomon. As a cupbearer, Ezra has won the king's trust. The wise king is puzzled by the inevitability of change and by his inability to comfort the sad person or to humble the arrogant person. Ezra sets out to help the king.
When he performs a small good deed, Ezra receives a ring with three Hebrew letters inscribed from a mysterious stranger. He takes the ring to King Solomon who see that the letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Gam Zeh Ya'avor" or "This too shall pass." King Solomon understands that this phrase will comfort the troubled in their sorrow and humble the boastful in their arrogance in that everything human is subject to change. Ezra receives a sack of gold as a reward which he shares with his benefactor.
This is a wonderful little story, beautifully told and illustrated. It offers much to discuss for children and for their adult readers. It made my day and also intrigued me enough to search for the use of "this too shall pass" in the words of Lincoln. (The quotation may be found on the National Park Service website for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Illinois.)
Wisdom Tales Press published this book as part of its series of children's books from around the world with spiritual themes. It is an outstanding addition to the series. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a copy to review.
Robin Friedman
On September 30, 1859, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee and alluded to the ancient saying "this too shall pass." Here are Lincoln's words. "It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentiment to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words, 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride; how consoling in the depths of affliction! 'And this, too, shall pass away.' And yet, let us hope, it is not quite true. Let us hope, rather, that by the best cultivation of the physical world, beneath and around us, and the intellectual and moral worlds within us, we shall secure an individual, social, and political prosperity and happiness, whose course shall be onward and upward, and which, while the earth endures, shall not pass away."
Lincoln spoke words of hope for difficult times, both his own and for today. I was reminded of these words by Martha Seif Simpson's note to her new children's book "A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon" which places their possible origin during the reign of King Solomon (c 930 -- 971 BCE). Written for children between 4 and 8 years of age, the story has a timeless message for both children and adults. D. Yael Bernard beautifully illustrated the book using ancient artifacts and sources available in several archeological museums in Jerusalem. Simpson and Bernard have collaborated on several earlier children's books with Jewish settings, including "The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin" and "Esther's Gragger".
This retelling features a young lad, Ezra, who works as a kitchen servant in the court of King Solomon. As a cupbearer, Ezra has won the king's trust. The wise king is puzzled by the inevitability of change and by his inability to comfort the sad person or to humble the arrogant person. Ezra sets out to help the king.
When he performs a small good deed, Ezra receives a ring with three Hebrew letters inscribed from a mysterious stranger. He takes the ring to King Solomon who see that the letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Gam Zeh Ya'avor" or "This too shall pass." King Solomon understands that this phrase will comfort the troubled in their sorrow and humble the boastful in their arrogance in that everything human is subject to change. Ezra receives a sack of gold as a reward which he shares with his benefactor.
This is a wonderful little story, beautifully told and illustrated. It offers much to discuss for children and for their adult readers. It made my day and also intrigued me enough to search for the use of "this too shall pass" in the words of Lincoln. (The quotation may be found on the National Park Service website for the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Illinois.)
Wisdom Tales Press published this book as part of its series of children's books from around the world with spiritual themes. It is an outstanding addition to the series. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me a copy to review.
Robin Friedman
June 5, 2025
Wise King Solomon is troubled. He easily performs his kingly duties but has difficulty easing people's suffering. “I struggle to find the right words to make a sad person hopeful and a proud person humble,” he confides to one of his servants, a young boy named Ezra. While on a quest for an answer to the king’s dilemma, Ezra performs a random act of kindness for a man who stumbled on a rock. The man rewards Ezra with a ring inscribed in Hebrew with words that reveal the intersection of wisdom and humility, the life lesson at the heart of A Ring for a King and an important message for today.
April 30, 2025
How does one cope with challenges? This beautifully written and illustrated picture book draws upon the concept of “This too shall pass,” which has been attributed to King Solomon. Ezra, a servant boy to the king, goes on a quest to help answer the question, “What can you say to make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble?” Simpson’s inspiration came from a rabbi’s sermon and will uplift readers of all ages.
August 17, 2025
This is a lovely, sweet, and simple story with a deep and important message. Based on a traditional tale of King Solomon's wisdom, Martha Simpson retells the story from the perspective of a young servant of the king's who helps him uncover the way "to make a sad person hopeful or a proud person humble". The moving and inviting illustrations by Yael Bernhard bring out unspoken details of the story.
May 29, 2025
I very much enjoyed this fictional legend concerning a young boy and King Solomon. The lovely illustrations greatly enhance the story. The author's note at the end suggests that there are at least two different sources for the legend. The artist also included a note on the inspirations for the illustrations.
April 11, 2025
Leave it to a librarian to merge ancient stories into useful and engaging books for today. The amount of text and clear pictures tell the Biblical story of help from a surprising place.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews