Review: Mr. Mintz's Blintzes
Mr. Mintz's Blintzes
by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Esther Hernando
Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House)
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Buy at Bookshop.org
Cool, young Mr. Mintz is exactly the kind of neighbor anyone would want. He’s friendly, remembers birthdays, helps shovel snow, and is an amazing cook who prepares food for all the neighbors. And every Shavuot, Mr. Mintz makes the world’s best blintzes…until the day that – Oops! Mr. Mintz slips and (gasp!) is out of commission. So, guess what the neighbors do? This is a heartwarming story about a kindly neighbor who fills the world with chesed, augmented by Esther Hernando’s adorable, cartoon-like illustrations that depict a diverse group of neighbors. It's accessible and easy to read, with delightful language that begs to be read aloud over and over. It's like a mash-up of A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Grandma Rose's Magic.
Many Jewish values are contained in this delightful book: visiting the sick, chesed, friendliness/kindness to strangers. The illustrations reflect a diverse community, including people of different ages as well as differing hair/skin tones, body shapes, and abilities. Definitely a book for every library. With a recipe at the end for blintzes, this book is a must for every kitchen, too!
Cool, young Mr. Mintz is exactly the kind of neighbor anyone would want. He’s friendly, remembers birthdays, helps shovel snow, and is an amazing cook who prepares food for all the neighbors. And every Shavuot, Mr. Mintz makes the world’s best blintzes…until the day that – Oops! Mr. Mintz slips and (gasp!) is out of commission. So, guess what the neighbors do? This is a heartwarming story about a kindly neighbor who fills the world with chesed, augmented by Esther Hernando’s adorable, cartoon-like illustrations that depict a diverse group of neighbors. It's accessible and easy to read, with delightful language that begs to be read aloud over and over. It's like a mash-up of A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Grandma Rose's Magic.
Many Jewish values are contained in this delightful book: visiting the sick, chesed, friendliness/kindness to strangers. The illustrations reflect a diverse community, including people of different ages as well as differing hair/skin tones, body shapes, and abilities. Definitely a book for every library. With a recipe at the end for blintzes, this book is a must for every kitchen, too!
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I have to read this book. It sounds like so much fun. And I love both A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Grandma Rose's Magic---and of course, blintzes, though I don't think I'll ever change my mom's recipe! Thanks for the great review, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet but it sounds similar to The Cholent Brigade, written by Michael Herman and illustrated by Sharon Harmer but with a Shavuot twist.
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