A lonely melody floats high above the earth, searching for someone to truly hear it. But the mountain doesn’t listen, the river is too rushed, and the animals have their own songs. Only when the melody drifts into the heart of a mother do we hear its purpose—transformed into a lullaby sung to her child.

Written by beloved Israeli author Oded Burla, translated by Ilana Kurshan, and illustrated with warmth and wonder by Assaf Benharroch, The Melody is a timeless story of longing, belonging, and song. Based on a 2,000-year-old Jewish midrash, this lyrical picture book echoes the story of Shavuot, when the Torah—called a song by tradition—was offered to all the nations and ultimately accepted by the Jewish people. Like the Torah, the melody in this story waits patiently for someone to receive it, and lives on in the voice of the next generation.

- “A gentle meditation on purpose and connection, wrapped in poetic prose and dreamlike art.” — Kirkus Reviews

- “A beautiful allegory with roots in Jewish tradition but a message universal to all: that our voices matter, and the right listener is out there.” — AJL Reviews

- “This is the kind of story that will quietly stay with readers, inviting re-reading and reflection.” — The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Perfect for bedtime reading, holiday reflection, or year-round inspiration, The Melody offers families a soulful invitation to listen, to sing, and to pass along their own melodies.

A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.