Joseph the Dreamer Format: Paperback

Joseph has always believed he is special. He's his father's favorite son—out of twelve!—and he has amazing dreams unlike anyone else's. But when his father gives him a beautiful multicolored coat— a coat fit for a king—Joseph's jealous brothers decide enough is enough. Joseph's life suddenly changes forever. Finding himself a prisoner in a foreign land, he must draw strength from within and use his gifts in ways he never imagined possible.

"This comic-book adaptation of the story of Joseph presents the Bible tale in a softened, kid-friendly format. Joseph, a rabbit, is far and away Jacob's favorite son, and his vivid dreams seem to mean he'll be a
ruler someday, much to the consternation of his 10 older brothers. When he receives his iconic colorful coat, it's the last straw for his jealous brothers, who sell him to a passing merchant en route to Egypt.
Though he experiences plenty of strife there, Joseph gradually gains a reputation for being an expert dream interpreter, and soon he's adviser to the pharaoh himself. Laff emphasizes Joseph's perseverance and
humility in the face of misfortune, which could make this story from Genesis more accessible to wider readership. The cartoonish artwork, featuring all-animal characters and gentle, rich colors, gives it even
more kid appeal. Kids learning Bible stories will appreciate this inviting, easy-to-read volume."―Booklist

"This colorfully illustrated retelling of the Biblical story is presented as an engaging, graphic novel featuring Joseph and his family. The classic story is brought to life with vivid colors and clearly written text. Readers will be captivated by this version of a story with which they may already be familiar. The story is told in a family friendly way without omitting important parts of the tale and feels full of detail and atmosphere. Joseph and his family are drawn as rabbits and the Egyptians are drawn as cats which adds an intriguing twist that still feels somehow authentic, although is an unusual illustrative twist.

The author/illustrator's theatrical background is discernible and the scope and importance of this story certainly lend themselves to the author's dramatic approach. Jewel toned colors are effectively contrasted with more muted shades highlighting the overall special look of the art. This book is a delightful addition to the growing trend of Biblically themed graphic novels appearing on the shelf.

Recommended for ages 7-10."--Jewish Book Council

"The Genesis story of Joseph is tailor-made for a graphic novel: it's full of narrative twists and intense family dynamics, and its hero not only has prophetic powers, but also rises from patriarch's pet to grand vizier and hero of Egypt. Newcomer Laff casts Joseph's family as rabbits (the siblings' clonelike resemblance to one another is especially eerie when they turn against their brother) while the Egyptians are, of course, cats. Anyone looking for psychological nuance or exegeses will be disappointed: Laff takes her source material at face value. Joseph is portrayed as sympathetic from the get-go and emotionally justified in his treatment of his desperate family when they come to Egypt in search of food. However, Laff expertly capitalizes on the take-no-prisoners narrative momentum of biblical tales. She doesn't shy away from the story's bleakest moments (in one harrowing sequence, a tearful Joseph curls into a fetal position on a bed of straw in a dark Egyptian prison), and she gives every composition a cinematic sense of character and spectacle."

"The Old Testament story of Joseph, the brother sold into slavery who becomes the pharaoh's grand vizier, is interpreted in graphic-novel format. Laff retains the familiar elements of the tale, laying them out in graphic panels. Joseph has special dreams and also becomes an interpreter of dreams. All his brothers are jealous of Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, leading to his sale to some Ishmaelite traders. He is taken to Egypt, where he becomes useful in a wealthy merchant's household but is compromised by the merchant's wife and sent to prison. After nine years, Joseph interprets the dreams of the imprisoned butler and baker of the pharaoh. The lucky butler is released and tells the pharaoh of Joseph when the ruler has his own dreams that need interpretation. Joseph becomes the pharaoh's top adviser, saving Egypt from famine. In her brightly colored, detailed panels Laff depicts her humans as anthropomorphic animals: the Canaanites, or Hebrews, are rabbits, the Ishmaelite traders are dogs, and the Egyptians are cats. They wear appropriate clothing, and the Egyptian details and backgrounds are particularly elaborate. Joseph's well-known coat has rainbows, clouds, stars, and fur trimming; it looks an awful lot like a wizard's cloak, but it is eye-catching, especially in a dark double-page spread, set in Joseph's cell, when he is dreaming of the sun, moon, and stars. A lively version of a biblical story of wisdom, wits, treachery, and repentance." -- Kirkus Reviews