Review: Avi the Ambulance Goes to the Beach

Avi the Ambulance Goes to the Beach

by Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by C.B. Decker

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

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Ronda Einbinder

 

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Avi the Ambulance is the youngest and smallest ambulance in Jerusalem. His four shiny wheels take him everywhere. He is a cute white ambulance that giggles when Zach the med tech puts air in his tires. What Avi doesn’t expect is that Zach is taking him to the beach in Tiberias to meet his friend Esti and her new ambulance partner. Avi pictures himself wearing sunglasses and sipping a pink drink out of a straw on the beach. Avi loves the beach! Cohen delights readers with onomatopoeias of Zoom! Whoosh! and Zip!

Esti greets Zach and Avi, but the ambulance partner is nowhere to be found. When questioned, Esti points to a yellow waterboat docked on the pier. Decker draws curious eyes and a tilted mouth on Avi, showing a bit of confusion. Avi doesn’t understand how Noah, the ambulance, could be a boat. Suddenly, somebody cries, “I need heeelp!” A boy in a rowboat caught a large fish, and Avi and his wheels could not help him, but Noah goes to the rescue. Zach and Esti help the injured boy out of the rowboat and onto shore, where he climbs into Avi. "What a team!" A land ambulance and a water ambulance are working together. This sweet book shows kids how there are different roles people can play to help each other, and the importance of kindness.

The story takes place in Jerusalem then moves over to Tiberias so the Jewish state of Israel is represented from the first page of the book. Avi, the ambulance, is a white van with a Jewish star largely displayed. Noah the boat is drawn with Jewish stars on the front and side. The boy's grandfather is wearing a yarmulke. The backmatter explains how the story is based on the real work of Magen David Adam, Israel's ambulance service. The story highlights Jewish values such as piku'ach nefesh, the importance of saving lives, and g'vurah, heroism. Avi expresses appreciation for others when he acknoweldges that Noah can help in different ways. The Jewish theme is an integral part of the story woven into each character's actions. Non-Jewish readers would understand the theme of helping each other out. The story never mentions Judaism, just shows the religious beliefs in actions and drawings and, of course, it takes place in Israel.

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Reviewer Ronda Einbinder is a teacher/writer. She is a substitute teacher at Glendale Unified School District, teaching students in grades K-6. She is also a 500-Hour Registered Yoga Instructor. Previously, she was a writer and publicist for ObesityHelp Magazine and non-profit medical facilities. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from San Diego State University and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State Fullerton.