Review: Challah for Shabbat Tonight
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...