Sunset in Spain
This bucolic scene is the final illustration for Never Say A Mean Word Again: A Tale from Medieval Spain (Wisdom Tales, 2014). All is well as this story ends, thanks to author Jacqueline Jules, who developed a legend from 11th-century Spain into a picture book for children. Jules’ clever retelling features a Jewish boy named Samuel who, out of sheer clumsiness, offends an Arab boy named Hamsa, to point of making an enemy of the angry young lad. Samuel’s father, the royal vizier in the palace and subject of the original legend, tells his son that although he is innocent, it is he who must see to it that Hamsa never says a mean word to him again. Utterly perplexed, Samuel sets about trying to force his adversary to treat him right, resulting in childish encounters that bring the two boys together, until finally they both realize they want a friend more than an enemy. By the end of the story, Samuel and Hamsa are best buddies. In this closing scene, the two of them are seen way in the distance, climbing a magnificent tree as the sun sets.
So nice to illustrate a happy ending!
For its unique cultural content and message of nonviolent conflict resolution, the book won seven awards:
Chosen as an Honor Book in the 2015 Sydney Taylor Book Awards, “Younger Reader” category (sponsored by the Association of Jewish Libraries)
Finalist of the 2014 National Jewish Book Awards in the category “Illustrated Children’s Books” (sponsored by the Jewish Book Council)
Honorable Mention in the “Picture Book” category of the 2014 Middle East Book Awards
Recipient of a 2014 Aesop Accolade, awarded by the Children’s Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society
Finalist in the “Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction” category of The USA “Best Books 2014” Awards, sponsored by USA Book News
Selected as one of 10 “Best Spiritual Children’s Books” of 2014 by Spirituality & Practice (www.spiritualityandpractice.com)
Honor Award in the 2015 Skipping Stones Honor Awards, in the category “Multicultural & International Books”
Designing and illustrating this book was a challenge and a pleasure. The textiles and mosaics of Granada, Spain (where Samuel HaNagid lived from 993-1055) were gorgeous, reflecting the mathematics and geometry of Moorish culture in what is known as the “Golden Age of Spain” – when Muslims, Jews, and Christians flourished together, fusing many influences into a melting pot of artistic, academic, and spiritual innovation (can’t we do that again?). I took the architecture and decorative arts of the time and turned them into design elements throughout the book, containing text in bold and elaborate frames, and extending the basic shapes into a visual architecture that interacts with the characters.
Even the flowers are based on the geometric designs found in Moorish textiles, carvings, jewelry, etc:
By the time this book went off to press, I was thoroughly fascinated by Samuel HaNagid. As Grand Vizier to the caliph of Granada, he rose to the highest position of power of any European Jew in his time, and few since. Poet, scholar, scribe, commander in chief of a Muslim army, and leader of the Andalusian Jewish community, Nagid was truly unique, a Renaissance man before the Renaissance. I was so inspired by him, I wrote an essay about his life which I presented at my local synagogue on the occasion of the book’s publication. Nagid’s legacy continues to reverberate through Jewish teachings today.
You can buy a signed copy of Never Say A Word Again in my webstore, find it on Amazon, or order it through your local library or bookstore.
A good week to all!
D. Yael Bernhard
https://dyaelbernhard.com
Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!although it appears several cars have parked there anyway.