Celebrate! Stories Of The Jewish Holiday [Paperback]

Melvin Berger (Author), Peter Catalanotto (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

This sparkling collection of stories, recipes, crafts, and commentary introduces readers to the eight major Jewish holidays.

This collection focuses on the eight major holidays in the Jewish year, starting with the weekly celebration of Shabbat and ending with Shavout, the festival that marks the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses. Each section begins with a lively retelling of the Bible story connected to the featured holiday, followed by an explanation of how the holiday is celebrated, and closing with directions and recipes for making holiday-related crafts and food.

This family treasury is written in the Jewish storytelling tradition and is meant to be shared by families throughout the year.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Jewish holidays are called the "jewels in the crown" of the Jewish year. This jewel of a collection by respected author Gilda Berger is a celebration of Jewish traditions, including Bible stories, time lines, recipes, crafts, and commentaries on the holidays. Each chapter covers one Jewish holiday, with a retelling of a related story from the Bible, followed by sections called "What We Celebrate," "How We Celebrate," and "Crafts and Food." A time line in each chapter places the origins of that holiday in its historical context, and a map of the Middle East and a complete index are also included. Glowing paintings by Peter Catalanotto introduce and follow each Bible story. The crafts and recipes are written with careful, simple directions, illustrated with clear diagrams when appropriate. Children (with a little help from an adult) can make a homemade dreidel or menorah, stir up a batch of latkes or cheese blintzes, or create Purim puppets with the directions given here. The author's goal in writing this book was to create one source that could be used by families throughout the year at each Jewish holiday. A superb choice for Jewish families or anyone interested in learning more about these ancient traditions. (Age 4 to adult) --Marcie Bovetz --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Including the historical significance of the major holidays of the Jewish faith, "Berger's lively, detailed and all-around enjoyable collection is indeed something to celebrate," said PW in a starred review. "Catalanotto's dramatic watercolors illustrate such legendary scenes as a Hanukkah lamp burning bright and Queen Esther saving her people from King Ahasuerus." Ages 5-9.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439430526
• ISBN-13: 978-0439430524
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #681,870 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays (Hardcover)

This has proven to be the perfect book to help our own (Catholic) children learn about the holidays our Jewish friends and neighbors celebrate throughout the year. Thank you, Gilda Berger and Peter Catalanotto!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, entertaing teaching stories, November 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays (Hardcover)

I used this book to introduce my private-school, sixth grade students to some Jewish holidays. The stories are clear, entertaining, and accurate, explaining the history and religious reasons for each holiday without being educationally or spiritually overwhelming. They are written with love and care; even my non-Jewish students remembered and referred to the stories throughout the year. This book is a treasure!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely introduction to Jewish Holidays, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When the Frost is on the Punkin (Library Binding)

Aimed at intermediate or slightly older readers (but also could be read aloud to younger readers) this is an excellent introduction to the major Jewish holiday, including traditional ways to celebrate the holidays, recipes, activities and history. Adults as well as children are likely to learn something new about each holiday - I know I did!