  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 11/01/2014 PreS-K—With a warm, sing-song patter and exquisite illustrations, this lovely picture book introduces young children to a joyous year of Jewish holidays and celebrations. Highlighting the essence of each season's offerings, the rhyming text moves smoothly from a summer baby naming to autumn's Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and so on through the Jewish year ("Here is the sukkah, its roof made of twigs. Here are some grapes, pomegranates, and figs."). Yet the true stars here are the richly hued, digitally collaged illustrations, which add depth and whimsy. These pictures contain such warmth and life that readers will want to jump in and join the festivities. Each spread displays an abundance of colors and textures that work perfectly to create distinctive moods for the various holidays, whether it's a gregarious Simchat Torah parade, the warm glow of a Chanukah menorah, or the freshness of an early spring day planting trees for Tu B'Shevat. Back matter includes a more detailed description of each holiday, crafts, and recipes. A distinctive and welcome addition.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 11/15/2014 Beginning with a naming ceremony for a new baby, a cheerful family with three children celebrates notable Jewish holidays throughout the year. The kids eat apples and honey while listening to the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, plant trees with their friends on Tu B’Shevat, don costumes and make lots of noise on Purim, and enjoy milk and honey treats in a wheat field on Shavuot. Each two-page spread pairs a rhyming couplet that very briefly introduces a holiday or season with a beautiful full-bleed illustration in a riot of colors. Gal’s luminous, smudgy charcoal and digital-collage art captures the joyfulness and excitement of celebrating holidays with friends and family, and helpful seasonal markers—big and bold sunflowers in early fall, windswept snowy trees in the winter—provide useful context clues. Brief descriptions of the celebrations and some of their traditions are included, as well as an easy craft project or recipe for each holiday, some of which will require adult assistance. These warm illustrations and cheery verses will likely build anticipation all year long. - Copyright 2014 Booklist. Loading...
 |