Joseph and Koza (1970) by Isaac Bashevis Singer, illustrated by Symeon Shimin, is a poignant Yiddish tale of love and survival set in pre-World War II Poland. The story follows Joseph, a poor but devout Jewish musician, and Koza, a spirited young woman who escapes her abusive stepfather to join his wandering troupe. As they travel through villages, their bond deepens amid pogroms, poverty, and fleeting joy, embodying Singer’s signature themes of faith, fate, and human resilience.
Shimin’s expressionistic illustrations—rich with earthy tones and dramatic chiaroscuro—capture the grit and grace of shtetl life, from bustling market squares to shadowed forests. His art amplifies the story’s emotional weight, particularly in scenes of Koza’s defiance and Joseph’s fiddle-playing under moonlit skies.
A forgotten gem of children’s literature, offering older readers a gateway to Singer’s Nobel-winning storytelling.
