Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Every Sunday morning, Eli's grandpa, Zaida, goes to Merv's Bakery for bagels. So Eli is both hungry and anxious when Zaida doesn't show up one week. A phone call reveals that poor grandpa "had slipped on some schmutz at Merv's" and "hurt his tuches" and had to rest at home for two weeks. Eli rushes over and is surprised to learn that he is not the only disappointed bagel lover. A trio of old men explain that "Every Sunday morning we come to your zaida's apartment for a feast." All week long, Eli visits with chicken soup and library books, and on Sunday morning he rises early with purpose. Filling in for Zaida, he gets everyone's order just right and heads to Merv's-with a little extra surprise as well. ("What a mensch!.The boy's a prince.he's a king.the Bagel King!") The colorful acrylic paintings are comical and evocative. At the doctor's office, grandpa is pictured frowning in his green gown as the doctor offers him an inflated donut to ease the pain that looks suspiciously like a bagel. -VERDICT This sweet intergenerational Jewish family story is filled with humor and heart. A warm addition for individual and small group sharing.-Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools © Copyright 2018. 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
Eli's zaida (Yiddish for grandfather) always brings him bagels on Sunday morning. When Zaida gets hurt and must stay home, Eli and Zaida's friends miss their weekly ritual, but Eli comes to the rescue, bringing everyone their favorites and earning the elders' praise. This sweet intergenerational story has illustrations reminiscent of a bygone era, but which convey a universal message about love, food, and tradition. Glos. (c) Copyright 2019. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A minor accident temporarily alters a weekly Sunday-morning-breakfast ritual.On this particular Sunday, Eli begins to worry when his grandfather is unusually late to arrive with the weekly bagels. Then Zaida's familiar Knock! Knock! at the door with a bag filled with "Warm. / Chewy. / Salty. / Bagels" is replaced with a phone call. Vexed and bagel-less, Zaida tells Eli he has slipped on some "schmutz" at the store and has hurt "his tuches." The doctor orders rest at home for two weeks, the bagel-shaped pillow he holds out to Zaida visually informing readers who don't know Yiddish what body part has been hurt. The first week passes with Eli bringing chicken soup, Zaida's neighboring elderly gents visiting, and everyone lamenting that a Sunday without bagels is just another day. By Saturday night Eli develops a plan, makes a list, and succeeds in surprising Zaida and friends with--what else--bagels. Pleased and proud, Zaida declares Eli is "the Bagel King," once again restoring the best thing about Sunday--"that is, except for Zaida." Watercolors in soft hues against ample white space illustrate this gently diverse neighborhood and cast of characters; Eli, Zaida, and the rest of the family are white, but neighbors and the doctor have brown skin. Yiddish words and phrases, translated in a brief glossary before the title page, give flavor to Zaida's aged Jewish generation.The endearing portrayal of a young boy's relationship with his grandfather makes for a warm, intergenerational story. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
