Review: Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! The Story of Leonard Cohen

by Alicia Jo Rabins, illustrated by Gene Pendon

Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Belinda Brock

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

Hallelujah! takes the reader along on the life journey of talented singer-songwriter-poet Leonard Cohen. In particular, the book highlights Leonard’s tenacity in writing his masterpiece "Hallelujah" and his efforts to get the song released and recognized. And eventually, “the song that was inside Leonard’s heart is inside hearts all over the world.”

We are introduced to Leonard as a young boy growing up in Montreal in an observant Jewish family. Music is very much a part of his life at home and at synagogue, where his grandfather is the Rabbi. Leonard is open and observant and sees both the heartbreaking beauty and pain in the world. Soon after he learns to play the guitar, he writes his first song. Writing and performing gives him the creative outlet to express his emotions.

Author Alicia Jo Rabins is a singer-songwriter who was inspired by the music of Leonard Cohen. When I received the book, I was curious how the subject would be handled; after all, the song has many interpretations, some deep and dark and complicated and contradictory. But Rabins characterizes "Hallelujah" essentially as the place where Leonard explores and embraces the mystery, magic, and messiness of life.

Back matter includes more about Leonard’s life, photos, and an author’s note inviting readers to find their Hallelujah—the beauty and joy inside them that they can share with the world.

Gene Pendon’s art captures Leonard Cohen’s spirit and energy in a way that enhances the story. The dominant shades of blue and purple complement Cohen’s soulful and spiritual nature and the handsome sepia tones Pendon chooses for the endpapers lend weight to the story. Pendon spearheaded and painted, along with artist El Mac and 13 assistants, a 21-story mural in Montreal honoring Leonard Cohen (perhaps a subject for another picture book?).

Leonard’s Jewish heritage is shown to be a positive influence on his life and work. Non-Jewish readers will be able to understand the intertwining of family, music, and religion.

This book can serve as a springboard to a discussion of living life as a creative and of finding and telling the story that only we can tell.

 

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Reviewer Belinda Brock earned a MS in Literacy and Language from University of Chicago and her background is in teaching and educational publishing. She authored GG and Mamela, the first children’s book to address hospice care. Her essays have been featured on Kveller, Jewish Women’s Archive, and HuffPost.