My Books

To order any item on this website, please email hbarlev@netvision.net.il

Cyclamens and Swords

Poems and illustrations - Helen Bar-Lev
Poems - Johnmichael Simon

The achingly beautiful cover of timeless trees, earth, flowers and rock, is redolent of
Israel’s destiny. This little land, so hallowed in human history, seems the literary and spiritual core of existence to most of humanity. If strife is ever present here, how can there ever be the peace of ancient promise? This land seems to symbolize the eternal quest for harmony where forces of turmoil march ceaselessly. Bar-Lev and Simon explore this theme for us.

Cyclamens and Swords will become a treasured classic, echoing as it does so fluently, the longing, fearing and questing that marks these troubled times. Helen Bar-Lev’s poem Beauty sums up the reader’s feelings as we reluctantly finish this special book: “and I,/the ingrate,/ever insatiable,/implore you,/please,/ show/ me/more.”

Katherine L. Gordon, Author, Editor, Publisher, Judge and Reviewer, Resident Columnist for Ancient Heart Magazine.

Silly Wishes

Illustrations - Helen Bar-Lev
Poems - Johnmichael Simon

A giggle on every page. Wonderfully comical poems to suit the tastes of children from seven to seventy. Delightful colored pencil illustrations on every page bring each poem brilliantly to life.

Animals are Nature's Poetry

Illustrations and Poems- Helen Bar-Lev

This book came into being as a result of my exhibition of watercolor paintings of the animals in the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo which opened in March, 2004.

Editing and design - Johnmichael Simon

The Muse in the Suitcase

Helen Bar-Lev and Johnmichael Simon, black and white sketches by Helen.

Don't expect a gentle tour, or map and menu monotone of travel in this exciting work. This is an engaging book of leaving home, with all the dimensions of close observation and adventures of psyche, into personal and planetary history and condition. There is a sense of travel in past and future,... appreciation of nature is redolent...this love of place, sense of keen acknowledgement of Holy Land roots, is the traveler's torch throughout the book.

Katherine L. Gordon, Poet, Publisher, Editor, Literary Critic

In Moonlight the Sky Will Slide

Helen Bar-Lev and Katherine L. Gordon

A poetic conversation between Katherine L. Gordon, Canada and Helen Bar-Lev, Israel with black and white illustrations by Helen.