Joyful and entertaining, with a glimpse into a different aspect of Judaism.
A mischievous goblin plays havoc with preparations for Shabbat in this playful take on Jewish folklore.
Rose and Benny, Jewish siblings who are light-skinned with dark hair, are braiding challah for Shabbat dinner, trying to be quiet so Mama can rest after a hard day at work in the village. They are interrupted by loud rumbling noises. They check outside to see their yard a mess and strange tracks all around. Both children attribute the damage to a goblin, for everyone in the village knows of these invisible creatures with roosterlike tracks. They nervously continue working on the challah. Suddenly Rose’s kerchief is yanked off her head and flies across the room and up the chimney. Then their Shabbat candlesticks and kiddush cup go flying and crashing to the floor. Rose comes up with an ingenious plan, and the siblings work together to capture the goblin. Focusing on Jewish folklore—something not seen as commonly in kid lit—this tale centers on a loving, kind, and resourceful sibling pair. They are never in any real danger, as Jules keeps the tale light and lively, providing sound effects in uppercase letters to enliven the action. Borlasca’s bright cartoons set the scenes in an old-style kitchen with no modern appliances in sight and with the Shabbat accouterments prominently displayed. The children are expressive, and the action is depicted with humor and charm. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Joyful and entertaining, with a glimpse into a different aspect of Judaism. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-68115-591-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Apples & Honey Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked...
From a debut author-and-illustrator team comes a glimpse into a young American Muslim girl’s family and community as she walks around in “Mommy’s khimar,” or headscarf.
The star of this sunny picture book is a young girl who finds joy in wearing her mother’s khimar, imagining it transforms her into a queen, a star, a mama bird, a superhero. At the core of the story is the love between the girl and her mother. The family appears to be African-American, with brown skin and textured hair. The girl’s braids and twists “form a bumpy crown” under the khimar, which smells of coconut oil and cocoa butter. Adults in her life delight in her appearance in the bright yellow khimar, including her Arabic teacher at the mosque, who calls it a “hijab,” and her grandmother, who visits after Sunday service and calls out “Sweet Jesus!” as she scoops her granddaughter into her arms. Her grandmother is, apparently, a Christian, but “We are a family and we love each other just the same.” The illustrations feature soft pastel colors with dynamic lines and gently patterned backgrounds that complement the story’s joyful tone. The words are often lyrical, and the story artfully includes many cultural details that will delight readers who share the cheerful protagonist’s culture and enlighten readers who don’t.
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked cultural group . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-0059-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2018
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