Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
HWritten by Booklist's children's book editor, abundantly illustrated with Savadier's (The Uninvited Guest: and Other Jewish Holiday Tales) playful watercolors as well as color photographs of art and artifacts from New York City's Jewish Museum, this book strikes a tone both child-friendly and respectful. As the author thoughtfully explores the history and significance of the holidays and festivals of the Jewish year, she succinctly links these to traditions and rituals. For example, after explaining Sukkot and identifying it as an inspiration for the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving, she writes, "Today, each sukkah fragile... open to the sky and the rain reminds us that we eternally owe our thanks to God. The sukkah symbolizes our need for God's shelter." Instructions for holiday activities (crafts, recipes, etc.) are also included. Almost every page features at least one illustration, from a view of an 18th-century Galician Torah crown to a contemporary photo of a Harlem congregation blowing long, twisty shofars to a 1910 Rosh Hashanah "card" carved on a walrus tusk in Nome, Alaska. Savadier's vignettes, mostly of busy, happy people, underscore the liveliness of Jewish faith. All ages. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Cooper introduces 13 Jewish holidays, details how they are celebrated at home and at the synagogue, and presents related recipes and activities. Beautifully illustrated with photos of culturally significant objects and paintings as well as child-friendly, pen-and-ink pictures, this welcoming volume is just right for sharing. (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
Cooper's readable text conveys basic information about the Jewish holidays, including Sabbath, Purim, and Yom Kippur, and is spiced with interesting facts, lore, recipes, and art projects. The text is handsomely illustrated with photographs of related religious objects, reproductions from the Jewish Museum in New York, and lively cartoon-style art in pen and ink. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (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.
