Davie Fafel

Davie Fafel is a charming and entertaining book which takes the young reader on an exciting world tour. Mom and Dad decide to take Davie on a trip. But little Davie, who still has problems pronouncing some words, keeps on repeating “Davie, fafel!!” His parents are mystified, until Dad exclaims “I know, he’s trying to say ‘apple’ – he wants Austrian apple strudel!” Off the family goes to Vienna, but even while nibbling on the strudel, Davie mumbles “Davie, fafel.” “It’s the Eiffel Tower he wants,” declares Dad, and off they go to Paris.

Needless to say, this is not the solution, but Mom and Dad doggedly travel on to other places, searching for Davie’s “fafel.” Mom and Dad decide to go home to Israel. The mystery is finally solved when they pass a falafel stand – Davie is ecstatic when he catches sight of his favorite food which he simply can’t pronounce. Davie gets his beloved falafel, and even Dad declares, after taking a big bite, “You were right, Davie. The whole world over there’s nothing like this fafel!”.

The child’s instinctive and unsophisticated ties with his country are humorously portrayed through his desire for Israel’s national food, falafel. Ben-Ezer gently pokes fun at all those who feel the need to seek out foreign lands when the greatest treasures lie within easy reach, at the nearest falafel stand.