No Toys on Sunday

Alberts brings a custom of religious families in the Victorian era to the fore in this quiet picture book. Every Sunday, for the hour between church and dinner, Peter teaches Bible lessons to his younger brother, Luke, who would rather play with his clothespeg kings, knights and horses. But the boys' parents, like many other Victorians, forbid playing with toys on Sunday. Inspired by the story of Noah's ark, Peter finds a way to satisfy everyone: he builds a miniature ark and clothespeg animals that help Luke understand the Bible's teachings. The message of Alberts's forthright text may well be lost on purists and younger children to whom a toy is a toy, whether it's religious or not. Older readers will likely grasp the distinction and appreciate Peter's efforts to make the Bible more accessible for his sibling. Brammer's earth-toned, grainy paintings capture a 19th-century household in careful detail. Her human figures, however, have a slightly stiff look, with limbs that occasionally appear a bit out of proportion. While the book offers an interesting historical perspective, few contemporary children will relate to these severe circumstances. Ages 4-7. (May)