The Shabbat Box [Paperback]

Lesley Simpson (Author), Nicole in den Bosch (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

It was finally Ira's turn to take home the Shabbat Box -- a velvet covered shoe box with candlesticks, a kiddush cup, and fresh raisin challah rolls. He had waited 14 weeks (98 sleeps!) which seemed like forever. But a bad snowstorm blew open his book bag and the box was lost. What would Ira do. A warm introduction to Shabbat in the life of a preschooler.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-K-Ira can't wait until it is his turn to bring home his class's "Shabbat Box," but when it finally comes, he loses the box in a snowstorm. Extremely upset, he takes his mother's words to heart when she asks, "How do you think we can solve this?" and he makes a new one to replace the original. Everyone at school loves it, but it turns out that his teacher found the lost box in the snow, so now there are two. The cartoon illustrations are done in a rather cloying greeting-card style and most people have round, red, pursed lips. The concept of Shabbat and the box's importance are never really explained, which limits the book's accessibility to people familiar with the holiday. Ira's dilemma and his solution are positive plot elements, if somewhat predictable, and the simple text, which captures the child's voice and concerns, will be accessible to young listeners. Libraries with a strong need for more picture books with Jewish themes and protagonists may want to consider this basic offering, but most will find it an additional purchase.

Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-6. Simpson doesn't attempt to explain Shabbat to children in this story, nor is there any in-context description of terms such as challah, Havdalah, or kiddush. Even so, this is a satisfying, simple story that has both a winning character who doesn't let a setback get him down, and homey pictures that use bright color to charming effect. Every Friday, a child in Ira's class is allowed to take home the special Shabbat box that contains candles, a challah cover, and a kiddush cup to use to welcome in the Sabbath. Ira waits anxiously for his turn, but with 14 kids in his class, it's many weeks ("98 sleeps," as his mother puts it) before he gets his chance. Finally, the box is his. But on his way home, the unthinkable happens--he accidentally loses it. Ira's distress is clear; it's the solution to his problem that's so appealing. A sweet choice for larger collections, in keeping with the themes of joy and renewal at the heart of the holiday. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (July 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580130275
• ISBN-13: 978-1580130271
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Faith and Family, November 17, 2001

By 

Mina L Levin (Sherman Oaks, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shabbat Box (Paperback)

I found the Shabbat Box a charming story, delightfully illustrated. In these times I find it most refreshing to know that our children are reading books that have good old fashioned ideas like family , faith, caring and responsibility.
Ira, a youngster after patiently waiting for his turn at school for the coveted Shabbat Box finally leaves school with this treasure. He loses The Shabbat Box on the way home. Ira's sense of responsibility and diligence in solving this loss of the Shabbat Box on his own teaches many lessons. I especially like the honesty of the little boy who realized how important this treasured Shabbat Box was. Ira made no excuses and was not ashamed to admit he had lost the shabbat box.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kindergarten students love it., November 18, 2010

By 

Revital "Nit Picker" (CHICAGO, IL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shabbat Box (Paperback)

Year after year I have been reading this story to my students, and they love it each time. Some of them have the book at home, and yet they love listening to it in class. I usually read it on the same week they get to make their own Shabbat boxes.

5.0 out of 5 stars my 4 year old's favorite, May 20, 2009

By 

A book lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shabbat Box (Paperback)

My 4-year old loves this book- the story is sweet and the pictures are charming. I love that the little boy in the story takes charge and fixes his problems himself. We'll be making a shabbat box of our own to go with the story.