by Alan Silberberg ; illustrated by Alan Silberberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2022
A fun and foodie-friendly parody that illuminates the origin of the Purim festival for young readers.
Silberberg returns with another comedic Jewish holiday story in this whodunit spoof.
The story opens in a detective agency run by a trio of anthropomorphic Hamantaschen, the triangular pastries traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. They receive a phone call from a mysterious stranger who presents them with a Purim problem: The megillah (a scroll bearing the biblical narrative known as the book of Esther) is missing, and without it the story of Purim cannot be told. Numerous questions and “false facts” lead the detectives to interview all of the suspects, who are also anthropomorphic Jewish foods and happen to be characters in the annual Purim play. There is the banished Queen Vashti, King Ahasuerus, the heroine Queen Esther, her uncle Mordecai, and, of course, the evil Haman. The three clueless detectives learn much about the Jewish holiday from the play characters en route to the amusing ending when the mystery is finally solved. This hilarious rib of the crime noir drama adds a few contemporary twists to the legend of Purim (for example, Esther has a modern-day diary that is quickly discounted as not being the real book of Esther) but manages to relay the key, traditional elements. Children will get a kick out of the illustrations which incorporate speech bubbles, comic book–style sound effects, and an abundance of wacky details. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fun and foodie-friendly parody that illuminates the origin of the Purim festival for young readers. (glossary) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35157-4
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2021
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2022
Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses.
An elusive new quarry leads the How To Catch… kids on a merry chase through a natural history museum.
Taking at least a step away from the “hunters versus prey” vibe of previous entries in the popular series, the racially diverse group of young visitors dashes through various museum halls in pursuit of the eponymous dino—whose quest to “spread kindness and joy ’round the world” takes the form of a mildly tumultuous museum tour. In most of Elkerton’s overly sweet, color-saturated scenes, only portions of the Loveosaurus, who is purple and covered with pink hearts, are visible behind exhibits or lumbering off the page. But the children find small enticements left behind, from craft supplies to make cards for endangered species to pictures of smiley faces, candy heart–style personal notes (“You Rock!” “Give Hugs”), and, in the hall of medieval arms and armor, a sign urging them to “Be Honest Be Kind.” The somewhat heavy-handed lesson comes through loud and clear. “There’s a message, he wants us to think,” hints Walstead to clue in more obtuse readers…and concluding scenes of smiling people young and otherwise exchanging hugs and knuckle bumps, holding doors for a wheelchair rider, and dancing through clouds of sparkles indicate that they, at least, have gotten it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 9781728268781
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton
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by Caryn Yacowitz ; illustrated by David Slonim ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 26, 2014
Fun, in an odd sort of way.
The old folk song is given a Hanukkah spin in a parody that blends Jewish tradition with art appreciation.
The kerchiefed grandma swallows a tiny dreidel placed atop her cream-cheesed bagel by the family cat, setting off the familiar chain of events. She swallows the oil, the latkes, 10 barrels of applesauce, a 20-ton brisket, a “mine full of gelt, before it could melt,” the menorah and candles until she is finally full. A large burp makes her feel better. The silliness, cadence and rhythm of the verse all work with the original tune; it can be a tongue twister at times but will keep kids engaged. “I know an old lady who swallowed a menorah— / A mountainous menorah, while we danced the hora.” Acrylic-based drawings using charcoal, pen and pencil place this bubbe in various scenes taken from classical paintings, providing an educational twist. She appears in comical versions of Munch’s The Scream and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The applesauce in a red-and-white can spoofs Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans, and the menorah is set against the background of van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Adults will see the humor but might wonder about the artist’s point in his note stating that “a new look at famous works of art seemed like the perfect way to help people of all backgrounds enjoy this fresh take on an ancient holiday.”
Fun, in an odd sort of way. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-439-91530-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Levine/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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