The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

  This Is My Shabbat by Chris Barash, illustrated by Aviel Basil Green Bean Books, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shirley Vernick Buy at Bookshop.org This warmhearted picture book follows a boy and his family on a Saturday as they celebrate Shabbat together–synagogue services, a picnic with extended family, and an impromptu meetup with neighbors. The boy, who happens to be blind, experiences the Sabbath using his other senses, especially hearing. (The text never says that the child is blind, but the outdoor scenes show him using a white cane and wearing sunglasses.) The story ends with the family drifting off to sleep in anticipation of Havdalah, making it a great choice for bedtime reading. The repeated refrain, "This is my Shabbat" adds a lullaby-like quality to the tale. The story is written in both printed text and Braille. The illustrations' bright color palette and detailed panoramas will absorb readers and amplify the joyful atmosphere surrounding Shabb...

Hi, Hello, Welcome by Chris Barash, illustrated by Rosie Butcher PJ Publishing, 2022 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman Buy at Amazon.com A child who uses a wheelchair warmly welcomes three adorable animal guests into his home, practicing the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim or welcoming guests (although this Hebrew term is included in the notes rather than the story itself). With each knock at the door, the reader opens a flap to reveal the next guest. When all are assembled, they share a yummy tea party.   The lively rhyming story and bright vibrant pictures are perfect for encouraging cozy conversation. The child in the wheelchair with the rainbow patterned sweater lends a nice touch of understated diverse representation. The notes include a link to pjlibrary.org/hihellowelcome for related activities. This lift-the-flap board book meets all the requirements for consideration for the Sydney Taylor Book Award. The engaging artwork and bouncing text are perfect for ou...

Lights in the Night: A Story for Shabbat by Chris Barash, illustrated by Maya Shleifer Green Bean Books Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shirley Reva Vernick Buy at Green Bean Books This short picture book for the youngest audiences charmingly celebrates Shabbat through the symbol of light. Dusk falls gently on a Friday evening in a waterfront village. There, a mother, father and small boy welcome the Sabbath while admiring the different sources of light that contribute to their joy. In addition to the radiance of the Sabbath candles, there are flashlights, lanterns, a lighthouse, the moon and stars, fireflies, and of course a bedroom nightlight.    Told in spare, rhyming verse, this story is accompanied by soft, earth-tone illustrations that showcase the Shabbat rituals of candles, challah and family time. The hardcover version glows in the dark—a feature that is sure to be a bedtime hit with youngsters. I highly recommend this delightful book for ages 0-4. ...