Eddie Spaghetti illustrated by Rutu Modan

Mr. Fibber illustrated by Yirmi Pinkus

Both written by Lea Goldberg and translated by Ilana Kurshan (Both published by Fantagraphics Books, 28 pp. $12.99)

Children in pre-state Israel loved poet-playwright Lea Goldberg’s tales of the irrepressible Eddie Spaghetti (Uri Kaduri) and the amazing Mr. Fibber (Mar Guzmay Ha-Baday). Now Fantagraphics, a publisher of comics and graphic novels, has translated two of Goldberg’s Israeli classics into English. Eddie’s exploits—when he gets muddy, he takes a shower in his clothes—are re-envisioned by graphic novelist and illustrator Rutu Modan. Artist Yirmi Pinkus uses colored pencils to recreate Mr. Fibber’s adventures—see him ride a seahorse in a sea of juice. Ages 3 to 7.

Gloria Goldreich’s newest novel is After Melanie.