Minnie's Yom Kippur Birthday - Hardcover

Singer, Marilyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060258462 ISBN 13: 9780060258467

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books

Synopsis

The events that Minnie expects on her birthday--a party with lots of noise and celebration--do not occur when her birthday falls on the somber high holiday of Yom Kipper, but Minnie has a very unusual--and very special--day

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

This year, Minnie's birthday falls on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Her father says it will be special, but Minnie's not so sure: How special could it be on such a serious day? Arnold, her brother, teases her by saying that she'll have to spend her birthday sitting still and thinking about the bad things she's done. "Is that true?" she asks her Mom. "Well, not all day," says Mom, and she promises a surprise. A smooth narrative describes Minnie's first visit to the temple, where she hears the rabbi's story of Jonah, who "did something wrong and got swallowed by a whale. When he told God he was sorry, he got spit right out." At first, Minnie doesn't like the story, and feels so bad she wants to cry. But as she listens to the explanation of Yom Kippur's meaning, Minnie understands. After making peace with her sister and brother for earlier mean words, she feels wonderful; afterwards, the whole congregation shares a birthday cake at the temple for her. Incorporating both quiet and lighthearted themes, Singer's book contains universal lessons. Rosner's pale, washed illustrations add just the right doses of sobriety and celebratory zeal. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-K-- Minnie's fifth birthday falls on Yom Kippur, the most solemn of Jewish holidays. She is disappointed at how different this birthday is: no fuss is made over her, and the grownups go to temple and fast. Then, at the end of the day, the entire congregation has a huge birthday cake in honor of her birthday at a break-the-fast celebration. Watercolors are lively and capture Minnie's wonderful expressions. Singer does an excellent job of incorporating all of the rituals and beliefs of Yom Kippur into the story. However, while the device of making this Minnie's first visit to a temple works well in terms of providing explanations, it is difficult to believe that a five year old has never been to services previously. This book is obviously geared toward a liberal Jewish community, as more observant Jews will find a female Cantor offensive. --Micki S. Nevett, Temple Beth Emeth Library, Albany, NY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• ISBN 10: 0060258462
• ISBN 13: 9780060258467
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Rosner Ruth