A poetic chronicle of Jewish holidays all year-round, with lots to learn and enjoy.
This collection of poetry follows one family as they decide to celebrate every Jewish holiday for the entire year.
Some of the forthcoming holidays are well known to the family and observed with long-standing traditions, while others are somewhat new to them. Each holiday, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is presented with a poem and an illustration depicting an aspect of the observance and the accoutrements that accompany the activities. The poems are narrated by one of the children in the family and detail each holiday’s traditions, how they play out, and the child’s own experiences (on Yom Kippur, “No cake, no honey / and for me, / no soccer, no TV”). The poet often mentions how “where my cousins live,” some of the holidays are observed differently. On Israeli Independence Day, the family sends the cousins photos with the Israeli flag; last Fourth of July, the cousins sent a similar message with an American flag. For each poem, readers will also find detailed explanations about the holiday, including history, references to the Torah, and definitions. The tone for each holiday is appropriate for the degree of festivity or seriousness. Tisha B’Av recalls the destruction of the Temples in ancient Jerusalem, and Yom Ha Shoah is Holocaust Remembrance Day; the accompanying poem speaks of sadness and lives lost but with a hope for mending and rebuilding. The poems for Purim and Simchas Torah exude joy. The family is light-skinned and dark-haired; their community is a diverse one. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A poetic chronicle of Jewish holidays all year-round, with lots to learn and enjoy. (note about the Jewish calendar, web resources) (Informational picture book/poetry. 6-10)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-32469-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
A Christmas cozy, read straight or bit by bit through the season.
Neither snow nor rain nor mountains of yummy cheese stay the carrier of a letter to Santa.
So carelessly does 8-year-old Oliver stuff his very late letter to Santa into the mailbox that it falls out behind his back—leaving Winston, a “small, grubby white mouse” with an outsized heart, determined to deliver it personally though he has no idea where to go. Smith presents Winston’s Christmas Eve trek in 24 minichapters, each assigned a December “day” and all closing with both twists or cliffhangers and instructions (mostly verbal, unfortunately) for one or more holiday-themed recipes or craft projects. Though he veers occasionally into preciosity (Winston “tried to ignore the grumbling, rumbling noises coming from his tummy”), he also infuses his holiday tale with worthy values. Occasional snowy scenes have an Edwardian look appropriate to the general tone, with a white default in place but a few dark-skinned figures in view. Less-crafty children will struggle with the scantly illustrated projects, which run from paper snowflakes to clothespin dolls and Christmas crackers with or without “snaps,” but lyrics to chestnuts like “The 12 Days of Christmas” (and “Jingle Bells,” which is not a Christmas song, but never mind) at the end invite everyone to sing along.
A Christmas cozy, read straight or bit by bit through the season. (Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68412-983-6
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Silver Dolphin
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Delicious fun for everyone—even frogs!
Who knew soup-making was such an aerobic activity?
Frog soup is a tasty treat, and a green-skinned witch is ready to share a recipe with fans through a televised cooking show. The ingredients seem simple enough—water, salt, garlic, potatoes, fly extract, etc.—but this Kitchen Witch stumbles with the most important ingredient: frogs. It’s tough to add a spoonful of frogs when the ingredient in question has other plans that include hopping, jumping, and, ultimately, escaping. Thanks to a little culinary magic, however, the day is saved with a briny substitution that pleases both the witch and their new froggy friends. Storytellers will have audiences in stitches with this delectable delight, and children will giggle with each new frenzied attempt of the witch to place the frogs on the spoon. Savvy caregivers or educators may want to use this title to introduce an interest in cooking. Sadly, no (frogless) soup recipe is included at the end for readers to try at home—a small annoyance in an otherwise savory experience. This quibble aside, the story is sure to get a chef’s kiss from adults and children alike. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Delicious fun for everyone—even frogs! (Picture book. 6-10)Pub Date: July 19, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06289-029-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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