Nicanor's Gate

by Eric A. Kimmel, Alida Massari (Illustrator)

Set in biblical times, the story of Nicanor's Gate―one of the entrances to the Temple in Jerusalem―shows how a man's faith is important to living a happy, fulfilled life. Nicanor, a wealthy merchant from Alexandria, is thrilled when King Herod calls on him to assist in rebuilding the ruined Temple in Jerusalem. Nicanor orders massive, beautifully intricate doors to be built, especially for the Eastern Gate of the Temple, but disaster strikes while the gates are being shipped from Alexandria to Jerusalem. To escape sinking, the ship must reduce its load, and one of the doors is pushed into the sea. But a miracle the heavy door surfaces, is recovered from the sea, and installed as an entrance to the Temple area.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Jewish, Religion, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1979

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

3.5 stars.

Nicanor's Gate is a lovely little book that retells the story of Nicanor and the gates that he had built for the Second Temple. The 2020 edition with updated illustrations has lovely pictures that help bring this story to life. Anyone looking to introduce this story to children will find this to be a good place to start.

[Jill H.]

This review is meant for parents, teachers, and other people that work with children to read.

Nicanor was a successful merchant. Even though he was well off his heart hurt over God's house not being as he felt it should be, even after the Temple of King Solomon had been rebuilt since it was in a sad state. King Herod created a plan to have it rebuilt so that it would be more suitable for worship and Jewish people were invited to contribute to it's rebuilding.

Nicanor decided to have some beautiful gate doors built, but getting the doors to the Holy Land was harder than he imagined. When one of the doors was lost it looked like all hope was lost to install the gate, but a beautiful miracle happened instead.

This is a beautiful story to help educate children about Nicanor and how he used some of the resources he had to create beautiful gate doors for God's house. I only found one reference of Nicanor in the Bible in Acts 6:5, and I am not sure if he's the same Nicanor or not that built the gate later known as the Nicanor Gate.

I think this story shows well that when things seem dark that there is often light coming soon after and that things often get better soon after the darkness.

I received a digital copy of this book free from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

[Mrs. Michael]

I did not know what to expect when I pulled Nicanor's Gate from the shelf in the library; would it be complete fiction? I guess that's what I assumed, but it is based on a religious tale centered around the rebuilding of Solomon's Temple in Israel. It's a beautiful story, and the illustrations are just as wonderful. Overall, I really enjoyed this picture book.

[Linda]

I wish I knew if this was an original story or based on Jewish tradition.

The story, itself, is great. Lovely illustrations. I especially liked the details about the doors and their construction in Alexandria.

[Karen Johnson]

The artwork is terrific, and it's (loosely) based on an actual historical person. It's the story of a rich merchant of Alexandria who paid to have gates built for the Temple, and a miracle that took place on the journey. I see it as for a niche market.

[Rose Rosetree]

This story moved me to tears.

Not only the official miracle but what I learned about King Herod and also Nicanor.

What a magnificent inspiration breathes and lives within the covers of this picture book.

[Rachel]

Lovely illustrations and a wonderful recounting

[Pinky]

Nicanor has everything but he isn't happy. He decides to go to the Holy Land to restore Solomon's Temple.

[Debra]

Another masterfully done story by Eric Kimmel. The illustrations by Alida Massari are perfectly connected to the ups and downs of this lovely story.

[Emma Fultz]

This is adorable. I love historical fiction books for children. It is also so beautifully illustrated!