Feivels Flying Horses by Heidi Smith Hyde

Feivels Flying Horses Reviews

• 
  Abigail

  When Feivel immigrates to the United States, the Jewish wood carver thinks only of earning the money necessary to bring his wife Goldie and his four children over to join him. Settling in New York, he is soon hard at work as a furniture maker. But when his cousin Mikhail takes him to Coney Island for a treat, and he sees a sign by the carousel advertising for an experienced wood carver, he soon gets into a slightly different line of work. Inspired by his family, he creates gorgeous carved horses for his new employer, dreaming of the day that his family, whose names he carves into some of the horses, can ride the carousel with him...
  
  Like so many of author Heidi Smith Hyde's picture-books, Feivel's Flying Horses illuminates an aspect of Jewish history that may be unfamiliar to many readers, young or old. I had no idea that Jewish woodcarvers were central to the booming carousel business of late 19th/early 20th-century America. Feivel's story is poignant and ultimately heartwarming, and the accompanying artwork from illustrator Johanna van der Sterre, who also collaborated with Hyde on
  Mendel's Accordion, is expressive and appealing. I appreciated the afterword, which gives more information about some of the famous wood carvers who worked in the carousel business. The source that Hyde listed,
  Gilded Lions and Jeweled Horses: The Synagogue to the Carousel, Jewish Carving Traditions, sounds absolutely fascinating! This one is recommended to carousel lovers young and old, and to anyone seeking children's stories about immigrants and/or with a Jewish cultural background.
• 
  Diana Garcia

  This book is about a Jewish man named Feivel who came to America. He was looking for more opportunities which meant he had to leave his family behind. I like that this book portrays him coming into America in a realistic way and not illegally. It shows how he was a hard working man who wanted to do things the right way. Many times people want things the easy way and go by any means to get it. Fievel toiled and worked for many years before he was able to be reunited with his family. It's a book portraying the value behind family.
  
  The reason I chose this book was to add to my list of the diversity among immigrants. Many people come to America looking for opportunities. Many people like the main character of this book come to work hard for what they want. Seeking to make this country better.
  
  The story was interesting to read because it made me wonder from the beginning whether his family was going to be able to come with him or not. If it made me question this, I'm sure the children will also anticipate what will happen next which can be a great conversation starter. The plot is rich and does have a problem and a solution. It portrays language that is appropriate for children. The characters are shown to be from another century but are still realistic. The illustrations are vibrant and full of details especially when it comes to the carvings of the horses. They correspond to what the text is describing which can hold the children's attention and enhances the story. The characters represent the culture of Jewish people. It gives off their perspective on what it was like coming to America and also their religious culture. It includes language children can learn from like Shabbat and the synagogue. There aren't any negative stereotypes portrayed through their looks or lifestyle, it's genuinely represented. All the characters don't look the same, there is even diversity among them which is great to show. The author of this book is the director of Education of the Temple and has been writing Jewish Children's book to continue to inform children of their lifestyle.
• 
  Joey Gremillion

  This book should be in every Jewish library, both in homes and in synaogogues/schools. Wonderful story that takes place during the Golden Years of Jewish immigration to the United States when families were separated when fathers (and mothers) came over to make better lives for their families back in the old country. PHENOMENAL!!!
• 
  Kristi Bernard

  Lots of immigrants came to America to make a better life for themselves. Feivel, a wood carver by trade, was no different. He leaves his wife and four children behind, with the promise to send for them later. In New York he crafted furniture. It was hard work. His cousin Mikhael invited him to see Coney Island. There he saw many wonderful things, but it was the carousel horses that sparked his attention. When he discovered the owner was looking for a wood carver, Feivel jumped at the chance. Three long years later, Feivel's elegant carvings were put on display. But, will he be able to share it with his family? This lovely tale offers many true elements with regards to wood carvers and immigrants. The beautifully illustrated pictures depict the early works of the many immigrants who came to America to follow their dreams. Historical notes on the back pages give reference to the lives of some amazing carvers of the 1800's.
• 
  MissInformation

  Late 1880s setting for story of an eastern european immigrant who comes to America to earn for his family. The book follows him carving the horses for a carousel, giving them the attributes of his beloved family members. "Some... were gentle and some were fierce. Some spoke of happiness and love, some of sadness and loss." When he finishes, he has earned enough to bring his family to him.
  
  Nicely told and illustrated- not terribly sad, but just the right mix-
• 
  Ilana

  Inspired by true stories of Jewish immigrants in America from the 19th century, this beautifully illustrated story has a sparkle of magic. Feivel, a wood-carver, left his family in Europe while landing to New York to make a fortune and start a new life. Luckily, during a weekend trip to Coney Island, he finds a job opening to work for a carousel company. The figures he created and which brought him enough money to pay the passage to America to his beloved one, are inspired by his sons, wife and daughters. It is a story which resonates with immigrant families in general, and creates empathy for similar contemporary stories.
  Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
• 
  Mireille Messier

  A beautifully illustrated immigrant story that will make you fall in love with carrousels!
• 
  Matthew

  This is the story of an immigrant that creates horses for Merry-Go-Rounds, and it's wonderful historical narrative. It tells about an aspect of American history that is certainly neglected, but that is surprisingly interesting. It tells of the tremendous amount of craftsmanship that went into the horses and about how people evolve their skills to fill a new role in the new world. More than that, it's the story of a family and how they made their way in a new place. Really worth the read. It is rather one of the better books I've read in a while.
• 
  Tyler

  I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
  
  This was a charming, short book, about a man who carves to save money to bring his family to America. It wasn't anything astounding, but it was certainly extremely endearing and it made me smile a number of times.
  
  The art, as well, was fairly cute, though nothing great.
  
  A very sweet book, definitely worth the very quick read that it is.
• 
  Bookseedstudio

  Evocative immigration story & tale of an artist who transfers his skills from Europe to America with beautiful results.
  The artwork's folkloric quality is what brought me to the story & the telling is equal to the art.
  Brava! to both author & illustrator.
• 
  Amanda

  I love carousels, especially classic carousels, and learning a bit more about their past--albeit in a fictional way--was sweet. I wished for different illustrations.
• 
  Jay

  an absolutely beautiful book. a lovely story of a man working hard to build a better life for his family.
  
  ** thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for this copy!
• 
  Alice

  A nice historical fiction about the wood carver who created the horses on the carousel at Coney Island.
  As always I am sucker for historical Non Fiction and this one didn't disappoint!