The World Needs Beautiful Things

The humble protagonist in this allegorical story is based on Bezalel, who, in the book of Exodus, is selected by God to design the ark. Bezalel—whom Fabbri renders with bushy eyebrows, lively curls, and an expression of sheer wonder—is a collector of discarded objects, insisting that “each of these things is beautiful in its own way, and the world needs beautiful things.” After being freed by the Pharaoh, Bezalel and the Israelites leave Egypt, crossing the Red Sea and desert. When God requests that the Israelites make a house made of “beautiful things,” God is struck by Bezalel’s sense for beauty. Fabbri’s paintings—featuring a sweeping desert landscape, motifs of fire and water, and statuesque figures in trailing robes—enrich Berkowitz’s story of a lesser-known biblical character. Ages 3–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]