A is for Abraham: A Jewish Family Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Alphabets: Cultures) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ron Mazellan (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—This entry in an ever-expanding alphabet series presents a facet of Jewish tradition for each letter. Large, colorful illustrations are accompanied by short rhymes and prose sidebars with additional information. The rhymes are uneven in quality and do not always scan well. They often require knowledge of Jewish life to be understood. The sidebars provide background and context to fill in these gaps, but even so, the information is limited and broadly simplified, and the book will best be appreciated by those familiar with Judaism. As in many such alphabet books, the facts are somewhat random. The author introduces an assortment of holiday customs, biblical or other famous Jewish figures, and cultural elements like klezmer music. Despite many references to Israel, the book has an American point of view; the letter "U" represents "U.S. of A. where half the world's Jews are living today." The luminous illustrations are the book's best feature. The realistic paintings show expressive individuals often captured in quiet moments of emotion. The modern scenes depict mainstream white American Jews with whom many non-Orthodox readers can identify. This is a solid choice for identity-building and education in Jewish settings, and it could be used to introduce Judaism if interpreted by a knowledgeable facilitator and combined with other titles.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
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From Booklist

With full-page illustrations and a four-line rhyme for each letter in the alphabet, this small picture book about Judaism is perfect for sharing with preschoolers. Older, independent readers, though, will also want this for the additional, detailed sidebars about Jewish religion, traditions, history, and people, from the Old Testament up to today. Each letter introduces a topic: E is for Ellis Island and for Einstein; F is for Five Scrolls; G is for Golem; and P is for Passover. A dramatic spread for N shows the animals ascending Noah’s ark. Michelson points out that there are many branches of Judaism, and the pages celebrate several different cultures. Most of the warm, colorful pictures show families at home observing traditions together on spreads such as the one for O, about Oneg Shabbat and Z, for Zayde. Like Z Is for Zeus (2008), another entry in the publisher’s Alphabet series, this is a title that adults and kids will want to share and talk about together. Preschool-Grade 4. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (August 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585363227
• ISBN-13: 978-1585363223
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #668,293 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of excellent information, September 9, 2009

By	Feathered Quill Book Reviews (Goshen, MA) - See all my reviews

In today's world where we shun anything that isn't new and improved, it is good to know that some traditions still hold meaning. A is for Abraham, an alphabet book by Richard Michelson, familiarizes us with Jewish traditions of the past, while reminding us of why those values still resonant in our modern world. The Jewish tenets of integrity, fairness, honesty, and affirmation of family are warmly recalled in A is for Abraham.

Michelson highlights a wide range of historical and religious topics. The book addresses everything from Bar and Bat Mitzvahs to Moses and Einstein. Each page begins with a letter of the alphabet followed by a word beginning with that letter. The text uses a combination of poetry and narrative to explain in detail the meaning of the word and its significance to present day life. Michelson's first entry, Abraham, tells how Jews, Muslims, and Christians all share the same spiritual ancestor. After this acknowledgment, Michelson continues the alphabet format while examining specific Jewish customs that make the religion distinctive. Michelson captures the positive values inherent in Judaism, explaining how King David's love of music and poetry is still honored by contemporary Jews and is reflected by the likes of Dylan, Bernstein, Rogers, and Gershwin. In another text, Michelson strives to be inclusive by noting, "Observant Jews follow strict rules about what foods (and food combinations) they are permitted to eat." By adding this statement, the reader understands that not all Jews adhere to a strict interpretation of the Bible - some keep kosher; some don't.

For the letter "H" Michelson chooses the word Hebrew, and with this word he weaves a story that connects two lands where Jews found freedom: America and Israel. Michelson recites the Israeli Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." Every child will be inspired by these words. The best part of this book is that Michelson doesn't talk down to his audience; he values children by offering details and encouraging them to think.

The illustrations, by Ron Mazellan, are subtle, yet affective. His rendering of Noah's ark is done in brilliant hues, depicting two birds with capricious expressions that will make the reader smile. In another illustration, the blue wall of the synagogue against a backdrop of blue sky exude a sense of calm and reflection. The art perfectly complements the narrative.

Read, enjoy, learn.

Quill says: Chalked full of information about the history of the Jewish people in alphabet format.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2009 Sydney Taylor Honor Book for Younger Readers, January 11, 2009

By	Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee Chairperso... (Clifton, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This aesthetically designed multi-faceted book provides much more than a Jewish primer through an alphabet model. Michelson has developed a dual text through his poetic introductions to Jewish-themed subjects or traditions following a corresponding letter of the alphabet and his well-written prose expanding on each in a smaller font side-bar. Careful to justify and address his audience as one of a general population, he refers to his philosophy as "Judaism is a tree with many different branches, but all are nourished by the same roots...Like a choir sounds best when it blends different voices, / Jews should applaud Jews who've made different choices." In that respect, Michelson includes more than some of the usual aspects of Judaic principles, holidays, and role models to also introduce some less typical concepts. For example, on the letter "E" page, he represents Ellis Island, Emma Lazarus, and Albert Einstein, themes of Jewish American immigration and innovation. Mazellan's fluid, realistic paintings complete this beautifully, creating an excellent introduction to use as a springboard for many themes and concepts to Judaism's religious and cultural significance. - RITA SOLTAN - WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI

5.0 out of 5 stars "M is for Masterpiece" !!, December 20, 2008

By	Judy Polan, arts writer (Western Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Sophisticated yet accessible and child-friendly, whimsical yet respectful, offering a multidimensional understanding of Judaism relatable to people of all ages and faiths, stunningly beautiful, and encyclopedically informative without being at all pedantic, "A is for Abraham" appears to be inexorably headed for greater national and international recognition. Richard Michelson's latest literary effort (he is also author of the much-honored "As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom") was recently selected as a Book of the Month by the PJ Library -- a countrywide literary outreach project of the prestigious Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

"Abe" is a sparkling gem, holding the promise of becoming a genuine classic of American Jewish children's literature.

- Judy Polan, Excellence in Journalism First Place Award Winner
(CT Society of Professional Journalists)
Excerpt from review in the Jewish Ledger of Western Mass (Dec. 5, 2009 issue)