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A MITZVAH FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON

Name: A MITZVAH FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON
Author: Rachelle Burk
ISBN: 9781954354302

by Rachelle Burk ; illustrated by Chiara Fedele ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2024

An uplifting historical account for younger readers, and a necessary reminder of the importance of religious inclusion.

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America’s first president was a beacon of hope to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island.

Based on actual events and people, this story details George Washington’s visit to Newport on August 17, 1790, after Rhode Island’s ratification of the Constitution. He also came to raise support for the Bill of Rights, which would guarantee religious freedom. As the narrative begins, everyone is excited about Washington’s arrival, including 9-year-old Bella Seixas. Her father, Moses, head of Congregation Yeshuat Israel, has told her that Washington is a “guiding light to religious freedom,” because in America, Jews “can pray and celebrate our holidays without fear.” Bella, her younger sister, and several other kids create signs in Hebrew and English to express their gratitude, but the crowds greeting the great man’s ship are so large that they go unnoticed. Undaunted, they make candles—perfect for a “guiding light”—but children aren’t allowed in the inn where Washington is lodging. Bella’s final idea succeeds: The children rush to the port from which Washington’s ship will sail and, with their lit candles, sing to him. Washington notices them at last and smiles gratefully. This fascinating story offers encouraging evidence that young people can do important things. Though solemn, Fedele’s artwork is imbued with a sweetness that makes distant historical events feel immediate.

An uplifting historical account for younger readers, and a necessary reminder of the importance of religious inclusion. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024

ISBN: 9781954354302

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Creston

Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION | CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

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THE BEST FOUR QUESTIONS
by Rachelle Burk ; illustrated by Mélanie Florian

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PAINTING IN THE DARK
by Rachelle Burk ; illustrated by Claudia Gadotti

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DON'T TURN THE PAGE!
by Rachelle Burk ; illustrated by Julie Downing

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: June 21, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-06-234834-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
ON THE FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE
by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Sarah Jennings

- BOOK REVIEW
FIVE LITTLE BUNNIES
by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)