Review: Do Not Eat This Book! Fun With Jewish Foods & Festivals
Do Not Eat This Book! Fun with Jewish Foods & Festivals by Beth Kander, illustrated by Mike Moran Sleeping Bear Press, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Freidele Galya Soban Biniashvili Buy at Bookshop.org Do Not Eat This Book! is the latest entry to explore the foods associated with Jewish holidays. This rhyming picture book opens with Tu B’Shevat, followed by Purim. It then focuses on Shabbat, which was a thoughtful inclusion even though it is not a once-a-year festival but a weekly celebration. Passover, Chanukah and Shavuot are introduced last, by being grouped together in one verse. That the holidays are not presented in chronological order according to the Jewish calendar will not detract from children’s enjoyment of chanting the lively refrain, “but please remember, bubbeleh: DO NOT EAT THIS BOOK!” As well, it is unlikely that the young target audience will notice the absence of any mention of the festivals that occur in the month of Tishrei, namely Rosh Hashanah, Sukk...