Hanna's Sabbath Dress [Hardcover]

Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi'el (Author), Ora Eitan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Hanna's new white dress, made especially for the Sabbath, is ruined the very first time it is worn after she helps a man carry his bag of charcoal, but while crying in despair in the forest, she notices that the stains have somehow been changed magically into beads of light.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A little girl stains her new white dress when she helps an elderly man carry a large bag of charcoal home before the sun sets for the weekly Sabbath celebration. The moon rewards the good deed by turning the black spot into beads of light. The story is accompanied by primitively sketched drawings done in soft primary colors that picture a child who is too young to do the deed or be out alone, but the fey quality of the illustrations and simple but effective text reinforce the mood of a fairy tale. This story, originally written in 1937 but newly translated and illustrated, is a welcome addition.
Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. Originally published in 1937, this simple story, with new illustrations and translation, still has considerable charm. Hanna adores the white dress her mother has made her for the Sabbath and tries her best not to get it dirty. However, she doesn't hesitate to lend a hand when she sees an old man struggling with a heavy load. She ruins her dress but is rewarded for selflessness by a sympathetic moon, who turns the stains on the dress into glittering points of light. Little ones may not fully grasp the fantastic elements in the story's outcome, but they will understand the emotional content conveyed so well through the expressionistic artwork. By combining sweeping strokes and flat plains of deep color, Eitan manages to make the pictures at once childlike and sophisticated. Stephanie Zvirin

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689805179
• ISBN-13: 978-0689805172
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,467,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous lesson for children of any age, May 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hanna's Sabbath Dress (Hardcover)

We bought the book for our daughter, Hanna, and all of our children love to hear the story over and over. We have given it as gift and even donated it to our local library. A sweet story with a beautiful lesson

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! It's in English!, May 25, 2011

By 

real-life momma "R. Klempner" (L.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hanna's Sabbath Dress (Hardcover)

The original Hebrew version of this book has long been a favorite of my children. I'm thrilled to discover this story is also available in English.

Hanna is a little girl who has just received a new, white Shabbos dress from her mother. When she does an act of kindness, there are unforeseen consequences. How will she ever bring herself to face her mother?