The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Mixed-Up Mooncakes by Christina Matula and Erica Lyons, illustrated by Tracy Subisak Quill Tree Books (imprint of HarperCollins), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Sarah Aronson Buy at Bookshop.org When autumn arrives, so do two special holidays: the Mid-Autumn Festival and Sukkot. If you are a family that comes from two different cultures, what do you do? In Mixed-Up Mooncakes , you combine them. And the result: a lovely family story filled with food, traditions, and love. Matula and Lyons have written a story as delicious as the mooncake recipe that comes at the end of the book. Ruby loves both holidays. This is her favorite time of year—when the moon is the biggest and brightest in the sky. She enjoys all the activities associated with both holidays, from going to the Chinese market and picking out lanterns, as well as finding the most perfect yellow etrog for Sukkot. Of course, the reader sees them build the sukkah and hang the lanterns. There’s just one thing missing: A treat...

Miri's Moving Day by Adam R. Chang and Stephanie Wildman, illustrated by Dream Chen Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva Buy at Bookshop.org   Miri, who is of mixed Jewish and Chinese ancestry, is preparing for her family’s moving day. She is reluctant to leave her current home and worries she will miss the stone lions that flank her building’s entrance. These lions represent the familiar, but also serve as spiritual guardians from her Chinese heritage. Miri’s transition is made smoother by her grandfathers, Zayde and Yeh Yeh, who present her with a new mezuzah and a smaller pair of stone lions for her new apartment. This story captures the wonderful relationships between grandparents and grandchildren, particularly when the grandparents are part of the regular care-taking and routine. The two sides of the family, refreshingly, respect each other’s cultures and traditions. The family unit has a nice blend of bo...

The Best Treasure by Sherri Mandell, illustrated by Tamara Anegon Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer Buy at Bookshop.org Friends Mo (a hippopotamus) and Gavi (a kangaroo) set out on a treasure-finding expedition, but they don’t have the same definition of treasure. While Gavi sees the value in everything from discarded tin cans to acorns to popsicle sticks, Mo only sees junk. In an adorable and apt use of a kangaroo’s pouch, Gavi uses his “pocket” to store his treasures. As the two friends head home, the items in Gavi’s pocket make a sound that Mo hears as noise, but Gavi hears as music. Persuaded, Mo joins Gavi in dancing to the music. When they return home, Mo says that he also found treasure on this walk, the best treasure of all: friendship. Based on the Jewish proverb, “Who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure,” this sweet story is surprisingly layered. It offers lessons in perspective (what ...

One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov Dial Books for Young Readers (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall  Buy at Bookshop.org One Small Spark is an empowering story about seeing broken things in the world (e.g., a swing that is no longer attached to its chain, part of a dilapidated playground) and repairing them, alone or with help. The book’s hopeful premise and promise is that if everyone pitches in to help and, in their own way, lights one small spark, the world will be a better, brighter place. Written in sweet, lyrical language, the text addresses readers directly: "Imagine the world you want to live in. If that's not the world you see, will you create it?"    The many examples of positive action are vibrantly depicted with bright, sweeping reds and oranges in Victoria Tentler-Krylov’s stunningly vivid illustrations, as the palette morphs from grey to colo...

Mr. Katz and Me by Marc Kornblatt, illustrated by Nanette Regan Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Merle Eisman Carrus Buy at Bookshop.org Mr. Katz and Me is wonderful story about friendship. Sarah is the daughter of a b’nai mitzvah tutor. Her father lets her listen in as he tutors the many students who come through their home preparing for their special day. When a new student comes for his first lesson, Sarah is surprised to see he is an older man. At first Sarah is not very understanding or friendly to Mr. Katz. As the lessons continue Sarah joins Mr. Katz and learns how special he is. Growing up in Russia, he had to hide his religious affiliation, but now at the age of eighty one he is excited to become a bar mitzvah. Sarah and Mr. Katz become friends as he continues coming to the house for tutoring. She learns that patience and understanding about other people can lead to true friendship. The age difference makes ...

Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote Henry Holt & Co., 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Sara Lesley Arnold Buy at Bookshop.org Rachel Friedman does not follow rules, especially when she’s expected to sit through the lengthy services at her synagogue without a cartwheel break. As much as she tries, she just can’t. But when faced with a challenge from her father that would let her meet her gymnast idol, she must decide if this is motivation enough to betray her every instinct and follow every single rule for an entire week. Author Sarah Kapit thoroughly integrates Rachel’s relationship with Judaism into this first novel of the middle grade Rachel Friedman series, centering many turning points around the setting of the synagogue and interactions with Rachel’s rabbi. Paired with frequent, adorable illustrations by Genevieve Kote, the story is accessible to elementary and young middle school readers who are drawn to visual elements, but the...

The Baddest Wolf of All? by David Sherrin, illustrated by Martín Morón  Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules  Buy at Bookshop.org Wolf feels he must live up to his big bad name, except he enjoys doing nice things like carrying bags for Red Riding Hood. In order to become the Big Bad Wolf he believes the world expects, he asks an Evil Queen to be his teacher. She instructs him to give Snow White a poison apple. Wolf thinks this will be an easy task until he meets Snow White and finds her charming. Unable to stop himself, he helps her out in the kitchen and dances with her. When it comes time to offer the poison apple, Wolf decides he can’t hurt someone who has been so friendly to him. Soon after, Wolf learns (to his surprise) that his real name is Badrick and “Bad” was just a nickname. This means he doesn’t have to be bad if it makes him unhappy. The Baddest Wolf of All? is a visually appealing...

Challah, Challah, For You and Me by Barbara Bietz and June Sobel, illustrated by Ruth Waters Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Sarah Aronson Buy at Bookshop.org Everyone loves challah! And because of that, everyone will love this new book for the very young, Challah, Challah, For You and Me . In the simple and joyful text, Bietz and Sobel offer young readers all the yummy ways to make and enjoy challah. Rhymes are pleasing. The art is bright and definitely helps keep the reader engaged. Kids will love pointing out the colorful challah, a heart-shaped chocolate chip challah, and of course, challah French toast (my favorite). In their author’s note, Bietz and Sobel write: "Challah has been a special—and yummy—part of Jewish traditions for thousands of years. The blessing for challah reminds us to be grateful for the bread we eat. From classic braided challah on Shabbat and round challah on Rosh Hashanah to heart-shaped and ra...

Sharing Shalom by Danielle Sharkan, illustrated by Selina Alko Holiday House, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman Buy at Bookshop.org Based on an actual event from the author’s childhood, we experience antisemitism through the eyes of Leila, a young girl proud of being a Jew. She loves Hebrew School; learning Hebrew connects her to her ancestors, helping her feel she is part of the chain sharing Judaism through the ages. She likes connecting the shapes of the Hebrew letters to related words. For example, the lamed, standing up straight and tall, looks like a leader; the mem with its curves looks like waves of water for mayim. When her synagogue is vandalized she is devastated to learn that she can be hated for being Jewish. Back in her public school classroom, she doesn’t want to be different because of her religion. Trying to be like everyone else, she tucks in her Star of David necklace and stops eating “Jewish” foods. But while trying to blend in, she realizes ev...

The Greatest by Veera Hiranandani, illustrated by Vesper Stamper Random House Studio (imprint of Random House Children's Books), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Freidele Galya Soban Biniashvili   Buy at Bookshop.org   Growing up, our family's Sundays were always set aside for visiting my grandparents: first my mother's parents, and then my father's mother. It was with this memory that I began reading The Greatest, which opens with "The old man sips his coffee and watches the sun come up. It’s Sunday, his favorite day of the week. Sundays are when his grandchildren come to visit." The story goes through different activities in which grandfather and grandchildren engage in during their time together. The grandchildren think their grandfather is the greatest, although he is not sure why they feel that way. By the last sentence in the book, though, he comes to a heartwarming conclusion about why that may be. Noticeably absent from the story is the grandmoth...

Baila the Klopper by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod, illustrated by Shirley Waisman Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Susan Tarcov Buy at Bookshop.org Every morning Baila the Klopper goes all around her tiny shtetl “klopping” on people’s doors to wake them up. It’s her responsibility to make sure everyone in the town is up in time for morning services. And she takes that responsibility seriously. So when the person in the last house is too sleepy to wake up because the teething baby next door cries all night, Baila the Klopper decides it’s part of her job to soothe the teething baby, even if this means delegating the actual klopping on doors to someone else.   The story has the cumulative feeling of a round as Baila enlists everybody in the shtetl in the solution to the problem. The story is charming, Baila speaks in perfectly scanning rhyme, and the illustrations beautifully convey the early morning light and the early spring ...

Rebecca's Prayer for President Lincoln by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Laura Barella Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Arlene Schenker Buy at Bookshop.org Rebecca's Prayer for President Lincoln is based on a true story and vividly captures the emotion of the Jewish community in Washington, DC, following news of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Prolific children’s author Jane Yolen, once again, brings a story to life through her elegant and engaging language. The story centers on a Jewish family and takes place immediately after the Civil War. It is told in the voice of the younger of two sisters. She adopts her father’s strong disdain for slavery -- and reverence for Abraham Lincoln. Even though her father comes home from the war with a useless wooden hand, he never stops believing in the righteousness of the war. He tells his family, “We Jews who were once slaves in Egypt, we especially, should never let another huma...

Lucky Penny by Aimee Lucido, illustrated by Jon Davis Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishing), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Leah Cypess Buy at Bookshop.org When Penny (the girl) picks up a face-down penny (the coin), her best friend warns her that she’s in for a run of bad luck. Penny doesn’t believe it. She’s done a lot to ensure that she has a lucky day—a day that will hopefully end with her being chosen to blow the shofar at her school’s Rosh Hashanah picnic. But a cascade of disasters seems to prove that Penny’s luck really has gone bad. Can she turn it around? Penny’s earnest efforts and inevitable mishaps are authentic and fun to read about. The charming illustrations complement the story perfectly, making this a delighful—and definitely Jewish—chapter book. This fun, fast-moving story incorporates a number of Rosh Hashanah traditions, from shofar to honey cake to Tashlich, with a light but meaningful touch.  Ed. note: This early chapter book w...

Challah for Shabbat Tonight by Sara Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Alona Millgram Algonquin Young Readers (imprint of Workman Publishing), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Dena Bach Buy at Bookshop.org A warm connection between a girl and her grandmother is revealed, as they bake challah together and prepare for a diverse gathering of Shabbat dinner guests. Using simple rhymes and action words, the lively activities of the girl and her grandmother are mirrored in the dynamic movement of Alona Millgrim's illustrations, skillfully propelling the reader from one page to the next. The retro colors and details of the illustrations give the story an old-timey yet timeless feel. The action is enhanced by the addition of an equally lively cat and bird, that the child reader can follow through the pages. In this portrayal of the preparation and rituals for a Shabbat meal, Jewish content is central to the narrative, and works well across the wide spectrum of Jewish observance. The illu...

On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Siona Benjamin Levine Querido, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Amy Blaine Buy at Bookshop.org On the title verso (e-version review copy) of On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel, a small note describes the process by which illustrator Siona Benjamin created the images for her forthcoming picture book: “Siona Benjamin began the process for illustrating this book by researching images from her own Indian Jewish family, community and background.” Images of saris, pomegranates, and head-coverings emphasize the common threads of culture. Blues, oranges, and yellows provide a vibrant backdrop for the words, told by Erica Lyons; a story of how this unique community first came to be on the Indian subcontinent. At first glance, this book takes the form of a contemporary grandmother telling the story of her family’s past to her granddaughter. Yet beneath the surface is a fascinating ...

One More Story, Tata! by Julie Salamon, illustrated by Jill Weber Minerva (imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva Buy at Bookshop.org   Ruby, the story’s precocious toddler protagonist, goes with her parents to spend each Friday with her grandparents, Yaya and Papa, and great grandmother, Tata, culminating in a celebratory Shabbat dinner. Ruby is fascinated with Tata, who is “very old,” and has many stories and dreams to share. Parallels between the young Ruby and the elderly Tata are subtly shown, such as the stroller/walker, naptime, and wanting to do things independently. While I found the names confusing at times, Weber’s illustrations help tell the story and depict a happy Jewish multi-generational family. There is no conflict or problem solving in this book; rather, it focuses on the importance of family traditions, including sharing stories and photos, and Shabbat. I found it interesting that although Ruby’s father is d...