Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. August's illustrations catch you first: their stark black outlines, inky details, and old-world charm immediately draw the eye. The text is a fine match for them, nicely written, with a bit of speculation here and there or a funny anecdote or telling quote. Beginning with Rosh Hashanah, Yolen outlines the history and practice of the eight most celebrated holidays on the Jewish calendar, then gives readers a taste of the literature. She includes original as well as traditional selections carefully keyed to the celebration--folk tales, poems, plays, and songs, with music scored for guitar and piano. The combination makes her book wonderful for introducing the Jewish holidays to a student group (though source notes are sketchy) and excellent for family sharing. --Stephanie Zvirin
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Yolen takes readers through the traditional Jewish calendar year beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with the weekly celebration of the Sabbath. The history and most important aspects of the observances are accompanied by evocative poems, traditional songs and stories, and a playlet for Purim. The illustrations and decorations are richly done in warm, lush colors that add to the general festivity. Malka Drucker's Family Treasury of Jewish Holidays (Little, 1994) is more complete, including "new" holidays, such as Yom Hashoah, which commemorates the Holocaust, as well as crafts and recipes. However, the general attractiveness and warmth of Yolen's book, the original poetry, and the clear explanations of the holidays commend it for any collection.-Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This tour of the Jewish calendar year provides the history of each holiday as well as its customs, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the new year celebration, and ending with the weekly Sabbath observances. Poems, stories, and traditional songs are included for each holiday. Bold linoleum-cut illustrations incorporate folk-art motifs and colorfully evoke both the serious and festive aspects of the holidays. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
