The Shabbat Box (Paperback)

by Lesley Simpson (Author), Nicole in Den Bosch (Illustrator) "Every Friday someone got to take home the Shabbat Box..." (more)
Key Phrases: Shabbat Box

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing; illustrated edition edition (July 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580130275
• ISBN-13: 978-1580130271
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 6.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,571 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #36 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Children's Books
  #37 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Fiction > Jewish

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 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

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.

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

By	A book lover - See all my reviews

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars nice story, July 20, 2008

By	mom MD (Mexico) - See all my reviews

This is a nice story for classrooms or homes about a shabbat box that gets lost. about fixing the problem with your own resources and finally about shabbat, and all it takes to make it special.