When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street [Hardcover]

Elsa Okon Rael (Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

This radiant story about the power of the Torah is illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, a Caldecott Honor-winning artist. The atmospheric art brings this celebration of Jewish immigrant life in the 1930s America to exuberant life. With a thorough glossary, a generous author's note, and two delightful recipes, the book is complete in all its exquisite detail.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Zeesie has a problem--she doesn't want to visit her grandparents on Eldridge Street. Her teeny-tiny grandmother, Bubbeh Ruchel, is nothing to worry about, but Zaydeh Avrum is another story. Zaydeh ("grandfather" in Yiddish) is stern and stooped-over, and complains that "children bring in dirt and make noise." But since her mother is having a baby, Zeesie has no choice but to make the trip. When she arrives, Zaydeh impatiently quizzes Zeesie about what holiday it is and why it is important to the Jewish religion. Zeesie becomes more intimidated than ever when she learns it's Simchas Torah, and that Zaydeh expects her to attend a celebration at the synagogue with him.

Although Zeesie arrives at the festivities reluctantly, she ends up having the time of her life amidst the beautiful stained glass, sweet foods, laughter, singing and ... dancing. And what's this? Even severe, stiff Zaydeh is dancing! During her stay on Eldridge Street, Zeesie learns about the history and traditions of Judaism, and she also sees that there's more to white-haired Zaydeh than she thought.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3. The Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 1930s is the setting for this charming Jewish holiday tale. Zeesie, first introduced in What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street (S & S, 1996), is staying with her grandparents while Mama and Papa wait at the hospital for the new baby to arrive. Accompanying her stern Zaydeh (grandpa) to synagogue for the Simchas Torah celebration, the child is astonished at his delight when she questions him about the unfamiliar holiday, and she watches with disbelief as he dances with the Torah. Later, when Papa comes to take her home, she realizes what a truly magical evening it has been. In addition to the simple explanation of the holiday that she has incorporated into the story, Rael provides an endnote about the Lower East Side and the special synagogue that Zeesie visited, as well as a glossary of Yiddish and Hebrew words and two traditional recipes. Priceman's full-page folk-style illustrations are painted in warm and earthy autumnal tones to suit the holiday season, with Zeesie, in her barn-red dress, clearly visible on each page. The customs and joy of the celebrants are evident even to readers who have never personally experienced them. Simchas Torah stories are scarce; this one provides both a cultural lesson and a glimpse at Jewish family life in another era.?Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st Printing edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689804512
• ISBN-13: 978-0689804519
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,551,794 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 An extraordinarily wise, tender and engrossing book, September 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street (Hardcover)

Elsa Okon Rael is making a true place for herself in young children's literature. Both this book and her earlier Zeesie story evoke a time in immigrant history, but more, bring to life a very real little girl amid her loving family. There is no better gift for a grandmother to give her grandchild or one that will be reread so often.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely charming story, rich in Jewish culture., March 14, 1999

By 

Gary Apple - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street (Hardcover)

It's a wonderful book, heartfelt and fascinating. The illustrations, too, are delightful. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sydney Taylor Award Winner for Younger Children, April 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street (Hardcover)

This is a delicious Simchat Torah story based on the tension between a bright little girl and her fearsomely stern grandfather. Stylized illustrations capture New York's Lower East Side in the 1930's as a curious heroine provokes a joyous outcome. For younger children.