While waiting for the bus, a man tells Baxter the pig about the joys of Shabbat dinner. But before Baxter can find out how he, too, can join in the fun, the man has boarded the bus. Soon after, Baxter learns that he certainly cannot be a part of Shabbat dinner because he's not Kosher. So begins one pig's misguided quest to become Kosher. Will Baxter succeed or will his dreams of taking part in Shabbat dinner remain unfulfilled? Readers will cheer as a series of misunderstandings leads to a warm message of welcome and community.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2–Baxter desperately wants to experience Shabbat dinner, the special Friday-night meal that ushers in the Jewish day of rest. He wants to see for himself how “the candles gleam and glow and dance while our sweetest voices lift in song.” When he learns that pork is a forbidden food according to Jewish law, he stuffs his face with kosher pickles and raisin challah, hoping to become kosher. He even tries, unsuccessfully, to become a cow. Finally, an encounter with a kind rabbi sets him straight. She explains that while he's not kosher to eat, never will be, and really wouldn't want to be, everyone is welcome at Shabbat dinner. Baxter enjoys a marvelous evening with the rabbi, pigging out on kugel, a Jewish casserole dish, and realizing that it is much better to be a guest than an item on the menu. The delightfully expressive and comical pen-and-ink illustrations are digitally enhanced with photographs of storefronts, deli counters, pickle jars, and traditional Jewish foods. While animals celebrating Shabbat isn't new–think Sylvia A. Rouss's Sammy Spider's First Shabbat (1998), Diane Rauchwerger's Dinosaur on Shabbat (2006), and Jacqueline Jules's Once Upon a Shabbos (1999, all Kar-Ben)–the idea of a pig wanting to become kosher will entertain children and the adults reading to them, especially those familiar with Jewish traditions.Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, June 28, 2010:
"Snyder and Goldin go together like matzo balls and chicken soup: the bright, daffy prose and ebulliently goofy cartoon and photo collages will persuade readers that they don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Baxter's spiritual journey—which ends, happily enough, at the Shabbat table of a kindly rabbi. Yes, of course he's a guest. What did you think?"
Review, School Library Journal, August 1, 2010:
"Delightfully expressive and comical..."
Review, The Horn Book Magazine, September & October, 2010:
"In-the-know readers will be tickled pink by mensch Baxter...while the uninitiated will quickly catch on."
Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2010:
"This will...find plenty of use in Jewish homes, particularly among families in which one parent is not Jewish."
Review, Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book (site), December 2010:
"The smart dialogue ... effortlessly educates readers about the Jewish holiday called Shabbat right alongside an adorable pig who shares the same goal ... charming story with equally charming illustrations ..."
"Snyder and Goldin go together like matzo balls and chicken soup: the bright, daffy prose and ebulliently goofy cartoon and photo collages will persuade readers that they don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Baxter's spiritual journey—which ends, happily enough, at the Shabbat table of a kindly rabbi. Yes, of course he's a guest. What did you think?"
Review, School Library Journal, August 1, 2010:
"Delightfully expressive and comical..."
Review, The Horn Book Magazine, September & October, 2010:
"In-the-know readers will be tickled pink by mensch Baxter...while the uninitiated will quickly catch on."
Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2010:
"This will...find plenty of use in Jewish homes, particularly among families in which one parent is not Jewish."
Review, Curled Up With A Good Kid's Book (site), December 2010:
"The smart dialogue ... effortlessly educates readers about the Jewish holiday called Shabbat right alongside an adorable pig who shares the same goal ... charming story with equally charming illustrations ..."
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
I've been writing pretty devotedly, in one form or fashion, since I was about seven. In the fourth grade, I announced to the world that I planned to become "rich and famous writing books and plays for children!" Then I intended to adopt every stray dog and cat in the city of Baltimore and move them all into an old mansion, not far from where I lived.
Well, I'm not rich by any means, I live in a rather small brick house, and I only have one cat, but I am (blessedly) writing books for kids, and I couldn't be more amazed or delighted.
Most days I spend with my sons (who are tiny) smeared with peanut butter, finger paint, and silly joy. But late at night, I write these books... and I hope you'll read one...
And if you like that book, (or even if you don't) I hope you'll write to me, and say hello!
Well, I'm not rich by any means, I live in a rather small brick house, and I only have one cat, but I am (blessedly) writing books for kids, and I couldn't be more amazed or delighted.
Most days I spend with my sons (who are tiny) smeared with peanut butter, finger paint, and silly joy. But late at night, I write these books... and I hope you'll read one...
And if you like that book, (or even if you don't) I hope you'll write to me, and say hello!
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Pigtail for a Mixed Family,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher (Hardcover)
I initially purchased this book for my 3 year old son. His grandparents come from a variety of religious backgrounds - Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, but all of them can appreciate this story about taking the time to find joy with family and friends... even new friends or unlikely ones. The story is one part religious education, one part life lesson and 2 parts poking clever fun. I have since purchased it a number of times for the rest of our crew.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baxter,
By Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher (Hardcover)
Baxter the pig hears from a man at his bus stop about how wonderful Shabbat is, and that when it starts at sundown, "The candles gleam and glow and dance while our sweetest voices lift in song." In humorous attempts, he tries to become kosher so that he can attend one of these dinners. He eats lots of pickles, and an enormous amount of challah, but he is told that he has not succeeded in becoming kosher. Then he meets a rabbi, who shows him where it is written in Hebrew in her book that it is a mitzvah to invite strangers to Shabbat dinner, and that he, definitely strange, is welcome at her dinner that evening. Kids will enjoy David Goldin's cartoon-like illustrations, done in pen, ink and collage with digital enhancement. His pickle-covered end papers are great fun, and writing "Laurel's Bakery" on a neighborhood bakery is a clever touch. The book imparts the positive message that everyone, even a pig, is welcome for Shabbat. In the glossary, Laurel Snyder has defined many of the terms used in the story. After she writes that kosher is "food that meets traditional biblical standards for Jewish munching," with "one important rule that you can't mix milk and meat together- no cheeseburgers," she then writes: "a lot of these rules just tell you not to eat certain icky animals you wouldn't want to eat anyway. For instance, no fried vultures. And no roasted rats!" Although these humorously tie in with the pig theme, many readers who do not know what is involved in keeping kosher may find this confusing. The story would have benefited from a further explanation clarifying the concept of eating kosher food, in this otherwise cleverly illustrated and amusing book with a positive message. Pre-school - grade 2. Andrea Davidson
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful book,
By
This review is from: Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher (Hardcover)
This is such a winsome book. The illustrations are cheerful and interesting; I think children will be mesmerized by them. I love children's books even though I don't have kids of my own, but if I did, I would make sure it was in their library. The story has a very positive message about including everyone in your religious traditions whether they're official members or not. Laurel Snyder is an excellent writer and this fits nicely with her other books.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
