Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two Jewish siblings compete for the title of best babka baker. Esther and Hester, loving, light-skinned sisters who live next door to each other, notice a new neighbor across the street, and each decides to bake him a babka for Shabbat. They mix and stir and spread, filling their kitchens with tantalizing aromas, each certain that it is their baking that will bring the greatest happiness. Sylvester, their light-skinned neighbor, agrees to be the taste tester, and slices are cut and served. The verdict is announced grandly--one shvester (Yiddish for sister) bakes the best CHOCOLATE babka, and the other shvester bakes the best CINNAMON babka. They then sit down to enjoy a Shabbat dinner, and the two sisters go home with a new challenge--KUGEL! Newman's little culinary romp is infectiously happy and fun to read aloud with all the rhyming names. Sister Esther has a cat named Lester, and sister Hester has a dog named Chester. The illustrations are bright and colorful, with patterned clothing, wallpaper, and kitchen tiles adding to the folksy Eastern European setting. Detailed instructions for baking a babka, either chocolate or cinnamon, are included. The steps are many; the results are delicious. Entertaining, lighthearted, and yummy. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
