A beautifully illustrated, reassuring table of ritual and family bonding. Young Jennie has Friday off school to help her grandmother prepare for the family meal before the Sabbath. Jennie and Nana have their breakfast and then start work: polishing the candlesticks, ironing the tablecloth and braiding the dough for challah bread. Then they put on their pretty Sabbath dresses while the snow falls outside, and wait for Jennie's parents and baby brother to arrive with the rest of the family. Now Jennie's best time begins. Full of gorgeous colours and absorbing detail, this story portrays the rich pattern of love and tradition woven into the special relationship between a child and a grandparent.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
HSet a few generations ago, this graceful evocation of a family Sabbath dinner radiates all the tenderness of Hest's (the Baby Duck books; Kiss Good Night, Children's Forecasts, Aug. 6) best work. Jennie, the narrator, is spending the day with Nana (" `Today I have no school!' I sing. `Lucky me!' `Today you have no school!' she answers. `Lucky ME!' "). They prepare Nana's already clean and airily inviting house, do the shopping and cooking, and welcome the extended family. Hest emphasizes the intimacies of tradition rather than faith. Nana, for example, "is lighting candles and our dresses are touching and she is whispering Sabbath prayers and no one makes a peep"; the prayers themselves are not part of the story, nor is the symbolism of the candles. Nivola's (The Mouse of Amherst) lapidary, intently focused watercolors stand out for their exquisitely balanced colors. She has a gift for creating harmony out of a profusion of crisp patterns; despite the many elements, the overall mood is one of peace and deep contentment. A quiet gem. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
reS-Gr 1-This nostalgic look at the Jewish holiday of Shabbat, although somewhat message driven, is mostly successful. Young Jennie describes her day with Nana as they prepare for the evening. They bake, cook, shop, and spend time together. Finally, all is ready, the family arrives, the candles are lit, and they celebrate the Sabbath. The story is slight, but Hest captures the child's voice and the little details that a youngster notices, as well as the impatience to do the things she most enjoys. The delicate watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations marry well with the text, and Nivola's use of vibrant blues and purples serves to accentuate specific details and descriptions. The artwork's homey, old-fashioned feel fits perfectly with the tone of the story. The family is clearly Orthodox, but the sentiment speaks to anyone looking for a story that re-creates the ambience of this family-oriented observance. As one of the better books on this largely overlooked topic, this title will certainly fill a need where Jewish-themed stories are in high demand.
Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Amy Hest's many acclaimed children's books include the New York Times bestseller Kiss Good Night. A three-time winner of the prestigious Christopher Award, she lives in New York City.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sabbath Is Coming.....,
This review is from: The Friday Nights of Nana (Hardcover)
"The Friday nights of Nana begin early Friday morning..." There's so much for little Jennie and her Grandmother to do. Clean and straighten the house, iron the good tablecloth and fold the lace napkins. Then off to the kitchen to bake challahs and pie and polish the candlesticks. After lunch it's time to buy their favorite violet-colored flowers for the table, put the chicken and potatoes in the oven, set the table with Nana's best china and silver and get changed into their special blue dresses for the Sabbath. And as darkness falls, the doorbell rings and in comes the family, Jennie's parents and baby brother, aunts, uncles and cousins. Outside, it's cold, the wind blows and it begins to snow. But inside, Nana lights the candles and quietly says the prayers as the whole family sits down together for Sabbath dinner..... Amy Hest has written a tender and gentle story that transports children to Nana's house and shows them the joy of special family traditions. Her warm and simple text is beautifully complemented by Claire Nivola's evocative illustrations, full of wonderfully expressive detail. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Friday Nights Of Nana is a lovely read-aloud story the whole family can share, that will warm your heart and maybe, be the start of a new tradition in your house.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Friday Nights of Nana!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Friday Nights of Nana (Hardcover)
A wonderful book to share with your family on a cozy night!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Warm and Airy Shabbat Tale,
This review is from: The Friday Nights of Nana (Hardcover)
It is early Friday morning (7 A.M. if you look at the tiny clock in the intricate illustration), when a young girl meets her Nana for bread and sweet peach jam. But there are bed to be made, ironing to do, china to place, cadlesticks to polish, a pie to roll out and bake, challah to braid and make. They go on a windy walk along a geese filled riverside park. There are violet colored flowers to purchase; Shabbat is approaching. The relatives arrive, the candles are kindled, it's cold outside, but a warm Shabbat inside. Great illustrations with intricately detailed gems
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