A Ring For A King
by: Martha Seif Simpson and Illustrated by D. Yael Bernhard
April 1, 2025 Wisdom Tales
40 pages
King Solomon features in many a happy tale for Jewish youngsters, showing off his wisdom and knowledge of human nature to unravel difficult problems and deliver justice to the people. However, in A Ring For A King, by Martha Seif Simpson, illustrated by D. Yael Bernhard, the sage King finds himself at a loss. In a peek behind the curtain of a biblical person’s life, young Ezra, the Kings cup bearer, discovers that even famous Kings sometimes need a little help.
King Solomon is looking for a way to in inspire hope and humility in the people, two virtues that might sometimes conflict. Eliezer, also at a loss, seeks help from an old man who gifts him the titular ring. Engraved on it’s inside is the now famous Jewish phrase Gam Ze Ya’avor – This too shall pass. When Eliezer brings the rings to Solomon he understands how this phrase can help everyone. The rich and mighty will be humbled to understand that their good fortune is subject to change, and those struggling can know that their challenges and misfortunes will also pass. Fully internalizing the lesson, Eliezer shares his reward with the old man who gifted him the ring.
The illustrations give a nice sense of time and place, and the lesson is a good one for small children. Adults might be slightly disappointed that the ring in the title is not the demon controlling Ring of Solomon of lore (or is it? nobody really knows what was engraved on that particular piece of jewelry) but if you go in knowing that information then A Ring For A King is a very sweet story about a familiar figure to share with the children in your life.
Note: BookishlyJewish Received a copy of this book from the publisher.