With a minimum of repetition and a generous amount of examples and stories, Cashman provides a lucid overview of the traditional Jewish holidays as well as Israel Independence Day, the Ninth of Av fast and the Sabbath. Her approach is refreshingly pluralistic ("Not all Jews celebrate the Sabbath exactly alike"). Sidebars highlight various symbols, including the Passover seder plate and the Sukot etrog, or citron. Frankel's brightly colored graphicschunky children dancing with Torahs, plump Chanukah jelly doughnuts, curly coated sacrificial lambsdelightfully enliven a serious subject and convey the joy of the Jewish holidays.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6 Eleven Jewish holidays are presented in a relaxed, storytelling style, with details on biblical and historical perspectives and traditional styles of celebration. The text is set in two columns, and different color tones are used in the illustrations for each holiday. Bold designs are mixed with objects portrayed with photographic realism and with cartoon-like characters, for a confusion of purpose. Drawings of symbolic objects that accompany each holiday are provided, and a two-page quiz at the end challenges readers' memories for these objects. Noticeably missing from the book is an introduction to provide a context or setting, or even to explain the selections and bias of the author. The book presumes background knowledge in Jewish traditions. While primary-grade students may have difficulty reading the text due to potentially unfamiliar vocabulary, upper-graders might be put off by the picture-book format. There is still a need for a distinguished, self-contained, and attractive book that children can use on their own. However, for religious schools or large collections, the bright, cheerful format will be appealing. For a broader context at a similar level, Jewish Holidays (Watts, 1985) by Judith Greenberg and Helen Carey will provide helpful background, while Margery Cuyler's Jewish Holidays (Holt, 1978) can be used with younger children. Leda Schubert, Grand Avenue School, Uniondale, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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