Though it may seem anything but, the traditional message of welcoming guests in holiday observance still holds.
When the Brenners invite a retired circus elephant to join them in their sukkah, adjustments are creatively made to accommodate his large size in their small ceremonial hut.
Lonely and bored in his new home, a farm for old elephants, Henry misses the singing and music from his old act. One day he wanders away, comes across the singing of a family gathered in their sukkah for the holiday of Sukkot, and eventually meets young Ori Brenner, who invites him to join the family. As Henry is much too large to fit, the family removes one of the walls of the hut to allow Henry to stand just within, acting as the third wall. Basing her story on an obscure argument in the Talmud that actually states that sukkah walls can be made from anything natural and sturdy, even an elephant, Mandell turns this preposterous example into a story of altruism—albeit a very silly one. Amiable illustrations of a bespectacled, anthropomorphic elephant next to the diminutive members of the Jewish family (all presenting white, with kippot perched on the heads of all the males, including a cat and a dog) add to this lighthearted commemoration of the fall harvest celebration.
Though it may seem anything but, the traditional message of welcoming guests in holiday observance still holds. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5415-2212-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2019
For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary.
Ward and Gray exchange the little old lady for an old mummy, and the book gets pleasantly goofy from there.
Cartoon illustrations with Technicolor clarity follow a round-eyed mummy as he traipses from the cemetery to a haunted house. Along the way he swallows a spider, rat, crow, bone, brew, witch, and a ghost. Obviously the narrator doesn’t “know why he swallowed the spider,” but the rhyme always ends with an odd “Open wider!” Even though the transitions from item to consumed item seem a bit arbitrary, young readers will focus on the comic details and opportunity to chime in with the familiar song. Fortunately for sensitive children, all the live creatures that end up in the mummy’s tummy appear to be getting along well enough. Just remember: “There was an old mummy— / this story is true. / You’d better look out, / or he’ll swallow… // YOU, too! / BOO!”
For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: July 21, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4778-2637-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2015
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in.
A Halloween book that rides on the rhythms of “Over in the Meadow.”
Although Halloween rhyming counting books abound, this stands out, with a text that begs to be read aloud and cartoony digital illustrations that add goofy appeal. A girl and two boys set off on Halloween night to go trick-or-treating. As the children leave the cozy, warm glow of their street, readers see a haunted house on a hill, with gravestones dotting the front yard. Climbing the twisty path to the dark estate takes time, so the story turns to the antics inside the house. “At the old haunted house in a room with no sun / lived a warty green witch and her wee witch one. ‘SPELL!’ cried the witch. ‘POOF!’ cried the one. / And they both practiced spells in the room with no sun.” The actions of the scary creatures within may seem odd, but the rhyme must go on: Cats scratch, goblins dust, monsters stir, and mummies mix. Eventually the three kids reach the front door and are invited in for stew, cake and brew. At first shocked by the gruesome fare, the children recover quickly and get caught up in partying with the slightly spooky but friendly menagerie.
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4778-4769-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2014
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