"A devoted wife is the inspiration behind a noted scholar of Judaism. Rachel, a rich man's daughter, falls in love with a poor, illiterate shepherd named Akiva who works for her father. She recognizes that a man 'with such goodness in his heart, who understood so much about life, must be smart.' Her father disowns her, but they marry and she encourages him to study even though he is 40. Akiva is reluctant, but one day he observes the power of water to slowly erode stone and realizes that 'I can learn - just like water cuts through stone - a little bit each day.' He begins attending school with children, masters Hebrew, and then leaves home for many years to study Torah. His wife is never forgotten. Nayberg's richly textured illustrations are stately and sculptural, depicting Rachel and Akiva with pale skin and red hair. Even those not familiar with Rabbi Akiva's monumental achievements will be moved by his devotion to learning and his wife's loving encouragement." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. Second-century sage Rabbi Akiva doesn't get nearly enough ink. According to tradition, he was born a humble shepherd and didn't learn to read until he was 40, yet he became one of the greatest rabbis in history. His wife, Rachel, was supposedly the driving force behind his journey from illiterate am-haaretz to brilliant scholar. In this poetic retelling, Rachel encourages Akiva to learn to read and to study Torah. Despite her love and support, he doesn't believe he's capable until one day he looks into a brook and sees a rock that has been worn away by steadily dripping water. 'Water is soft,' he thinks. 'And yet, drop by drop, it has managed to cut through this hard stone. The luminous layers of color, swirls of water, striated hills in multiple greens, swoops of fabric in the characters' robes...just lovely. (Ages 3-7)" (Tablet Mag)

"Rabbi Akiva, the second century Jewish sage, is considered to be one of the greatest rabbinic scholars and was the inspiration for many legends. Jules, who previously focused on biblical heroes in Abraham's Search for God, Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, Miriam in the Dessert, and Sarah Laughs, illuminates one of the many legends about Rabbi Akiva. A poor, illiterate shepherd, he falls in love with a wealthy man's daughter. Rachel admires how gently Akiva tends his flock, visits the sick, and helps those in need, and she agrees to marry him against her father’s wishes..... Despite his prominence and importance in Jewish history, this is the first picture book to introduce Rabbi Akiva to young readers and teachers in Jewish settings will welcome it wholeheartedly. VERDICT This engaging read-aloud can serve as an inspiration to all readers."–School Library Journal