Alfie's Bark Mitzvah [Hardcover]

Shari Cohen (Author), Cantor Marcelo Gindlin (Composer)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Brimming with unconditional love, devotion, and a never-ending desire to help others, Alfie is the epitome of all dogs and is a great role model for kids. It seems he s been that way since he was a pup. But today, Alfie is passing from puppyhood to adulthood and, in honor of this most important occasion, Alfie gets to celebrate his Bark Mitzvah with all of his family and friends. Alfie s Bark Mitzvah is beautifully illustrated by Nadia Komorova and, as a bonus, includes a CD of children s songs created especially for the book by the internationally acclaimed Cantor Marcelo Gindlin.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Alfie is absolutely adorable, and he is such a good guy ... He is thoughtful and kind and has a great sense of humor. Congratulations and all the best of success with this dear book." --Betty White, Emmy Award-winning actress, pet lover, and animal welfare activist

"Cantor Marcelo is one of the top Jewish artists in the country and "Alfie's Bark Mitzvah" is his best CD yet. Part musical theater and part pop, "Alfie's Bark Mitzvah" is 100% top-notch." --Craig Taubman, Jewish Artist/ Singer/ Composer/ Producer

"Alfie's Bark Mitzvah is a delight. The story and the music are wonderful. I especially love the special lessons contained in the story. This is the perfect book for little ones and their grown ups. The pictures are beautiful and engaging and really help Alfie come to life. This book is one that can be read over and over again. We read it to our dog Sophie every night and she barks with happiness. As a matter of fact, I would hope that each family has a copy of Alfie's Bark Mitzvah." --Michal Marks M.A. Ed, Director of Education,Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue

About the Author

Shari Cohen is the author of fourteen books for children and young adults. She also works as a journalist for several national magazines. Her stories appear in Family Circle, Woman's World and Woman's Day Magazine, as well as Washington DC's Connect For Kids Online. She is also a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 60 pages
• Publisher: Little Five Star (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589850556
• ISBN-13: 978-1589850552
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,067,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful way to introduce the concept of Bar Mitzvah to curious children of all faiths and backgrounds., May 12, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alfie's Bark Mitzvah (Hardcover)

Alfie's Bark Mitzvah is a children's picturebook about the Jewish ritual celebration of becoming an adult - only told from an anthropomorphic puppy's point of view! Young Alfie experiences his "Bark Mitzvah" with all his family and friends. The cheery rhyme captures the jubilant spirit of this occasion, and an accompanying audio CD has five children's songs created especially for the book by internationally acclaimed performer Cantor Marcelo Gindlin. "Holding his head high / Alfie shared his heartfelt goal, / 'To be truthful and forgiving, / And to have a loving soul.' // 'To study,' he said 'and / To become knowing and wise / And to try and see the world / Through someone else's eyes.' // The room became quiet / When in a voice rich and fine / Alfie gave the blessing / Over a biscuit and some wine." A wonderful way to introduce the concept of Bar Mitzvah to curious children of all faiths and backgrounds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can I become Jewish?, March 13, 2009

By 

Sandra Heptinstall "Reviewer" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfie's Bark Mitzvah (Hardcover)

What an absolute joy it has been reading this book-the words, music and illustrations are truly a gift to all who read it! it doesn't matter what your faith is, because this book's message, is one we should all practice.

I believe that when I receive a children's book, it is always interesting to have a child's perception of the book. My eight-year-old grandson Johnny and I read this book together. Then I put the CD that comes with the book in my computer and turned the volume up high. As we listen to it I glance over my shoulder I saw Johnny dancing in a way that only he could appreciated. It was a "don't laugh" grandma moment.

Then he picked up the book and asked me if we could hear it again. He began to try and sing words that he has never heard before. After he was done he asked me why we weren't Jewish? I tried to explain to him why we are Christians and not Jewish. I thought I was doing a pretty good job explaning things to him until he asked me, "Grandma, you said Christians and Jewish people believe in the same God, right? I said, "Yes we both believe in the God of Abraham. But we each worship in a different way."

Johnny was quite for awhile and then said, "I like what the Jewish children get to do and I want to become Jewish. How do I do it?" All I could say was, "You'll have to ask your parents about that."


As our daughter-in-law came to pick up Johnny he was jumping up and down and talking so fast his words were mixed up. He finally calmed down and told his mom that he wanted to become Jewish. My daughter-in-law looked at me and said "Sandy?" I just held up this precious book and said, "New book and Johnny loves everything in it."

This book should not only be in Jewish families, but also in the homes of people of other faith. The lessons are loud and clear. The greatest thing is love.

Whispering Winds Book Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Alfie becomes a dog!, July 21, 2010

By 

J. A Magill (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alfie's Bark Mitzvah (Hardcover)

It would take a pretty hard heart to not love //Alfie's Bark Mitzvah//, the tale of one puppy's special day when he grows to "doghood." When I first read the title, I feared that this might be one of "those" children's books - too cute by half, groping for the cheap joke over any real substance. I cannot remember the last time I was so glad to be wrong about a book!

Combing charming dreamy illustrations of the various breeds that make up Alfie's family, an entertaining rhyme scheme, and a positive message about the mitzvot, my kids and I were all hooked by this book. That was even before we listened to the enclosed CD, filled with delightful songs composed by Cantor Marcello Gindlin. Full of heart, humor, and joy, //Alfie's Bark Mitzvah// is a party at which everyone will want to dance and dance again!