Barefoot in the Sand

As a young child, Saul yearns to live in Eretz Yisrael. He imagines Israel’s soft, delicate sand sifting through his feet. As he approaches adulthood, he plans a trip from his homeland, Romania, to Tel Aviv, Israel. When he reaches his destination, one of the first things he does is walk barefoot in the golden sand. It’s all he imagined it would be. He meets a stranger whose appearance is disparate from his. He has a long tunic, dark skin, and a matching turban. He discovers a commonality they have; they’re both of Jewish decent. They traveled miles to arrive in the Land of Israel, the one they had dreamed of since their childhoods.

This is a touching book with significant cultural and religious ties. It’s likely to appeal most to Jewish youth who are of European or Arabian decent. Additionally, it’s ideal for elementary school students eager to learn about the Jewish religion as well as cultural diversity. The target age range for Barefoot in the Sand is six to ten. The illustrations are lifelike but not exceptionally unique or alluring. They do, however, aid readers in better understanding the context and in truly imaging Saul and his newfound friend Solomon’s excitement, joy, and serenity.