Here is a story that beautifully combines the adventurous spirit of a father-son outing with the quiet inner joy of the Sabbath. Yussel loves gefilte fish—those large, delicious fish balls that Mama serves on Friday night at the Shabbos meal. Early every Friday morning, Papa leaves to catch the fish. And now, finally, Yussel is old enough to accompany him. At dawn they set off, and soon Yussel has caught a fat, gold-colored fish. "Nice and zaftig. It reminds me of your Aunt Goldie," says Papa. But since it's not round like a fish ball, Yussel is disappointed it's not a gefilte. And when he catches a trout (lively like cousin Hannah Rose) and a pike (stubborn like Uncle Harry), he's disappointed, too. What will they do without gefilte fish for the Shabbos meal? In this gently humorous story of wide reach and warm words, Charlotte Herman evokes that remarkable feeling of a child's growing participation in a family occasion. Katya Krenina captures Yussel's moods—and his final fuller understanding—with illustrations shot through with the light of early morning and of Shabbos candles.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Herman's story of a family's traditional celebration of the Jewish Sabbath suffers from an insubstantial plot. On Yussel's first fishing trip with his Papa he catches three big fish. Although none of the creatures looks like the round fish balls that his Mama makes every Shabbat, the two take them home. Yussel helps Mama prepare the meal, but is unable to understand what makes a gefilte fish. He goes to the synagogue, then shares the Sabbath meal with his extended family. Finally the boy understands that the peace evident in the family's celebration is the "special spice" that transforms a fish into a gefilte fish. The family in Krenina's attractive illustrations is dressed in the style of Eastern-European Jews of the late 19th century. Painted on backgrounds of pale green and shades of beige and brown, their round, stylized faces are reminiscent of paintings from the 1930s and '40s. While the story is well written and nicely illustrated, it seems improbable that a child who watches his mother cook the same meal each week wouldn't know that "gefilte fish" is the name of a cooked dish rather than a kind of fish. And Shabbat peace is a pretty heady ingredient (albeit a magical one) for a plate of fish balls. A marginal purchase.
Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Our Favorite Book,
By Bruce D. Rosenblum (Newtonville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: How Yussel Caught the Gefilte Fish (Hardcover)
I originally found this in my local library 18 months ago. When we returned it after two weeks, my 2 year old kept asking me to read it again, so I bought a copy. We continue to read it often. It's a delightful story about Shabbat and family, and why it's all so special to a little boy. In addition to being a wonderful story, the illustrations are beautiful, and the typography is far better than most children's books. It looks like this book was an act of love for everyone who contributed to it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect,
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This review is from: How Yussel Caught the Gefilte Fish (Hardcover)
While it may be written for kids, many adults were smiling & enjoying as read to during a Family Shabbat Service. Thank you!
5.0 out of 5 stars
funny, and enjoyable,
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This review is from: How Yussel Caught the Gefilte Fish (Hardcover)
This is a fun read with lovely illustrations. A delightful story to share after candlelighting on Friday night, on Shabbos afternoon, or any day of the week.
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