The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

The Giant, The Slingshot, and the Future King by Tammar Stein, illustrated by Dodo Maeder Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman Buy at Bookshop.org The impact of the early life of King David on his later kingship is told in this easy reader chapter book. We join him as a young shepherd with “a lot of time on his hands,” time he uses well to make up songs to G-d and to learn to use a slingshot, acquiring patience and persistence along the way. When a lion threatens the flock, David is able to use his slingshot skills to scare him off. Later, with this skill and confidence, he famously defeats the enemy giant, Goliath. His friendship with King Saul’s son Jonathan is humorously shared, and his accomplishments as king are broadly covered.    The cheery cartoon style art and lively text add to the appeal of this book. There is additional information at the back about the archeological evidence of King David’s