Bubbe's Got the Beat - Hardcover

Judy Press

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1512447633 ISBN 13: 9781512447637

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®, 2017

Synopsis

Walkin' with my family,
Lookin' mighty neat,
Gonna see my bubbe,
She's got the beat!

Join in the fun as a kid and his bubbe prepare for Shabbat!

About this title

About the Author

Judy Press studied fine arts at Syracuse University and earned a masters in art education from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the creator of a dozen award-winning children’s art activity books and early reader chapter books. A grandmother to ten, Press lives in Pittsburgh.

Mary Hall has been illustrating for over 20 years. Prior to becoming an illustrator, she worked as an architect. Mary lives in Bath, England.

Review

"A loving rhyming adventure features Bubbe, who has gray hair and wears bright red sneakers. She makes chicken soup and challah, but she is 'totally cool.' Using a rap-type rhythm and rhyme, Press shows the love between a grandparent and grandchild as they work together to prepare for the family Shabbat. Each member of the family participates in the Friday night blessings as they enjoy their Shabbat dinner. The beautiful full color illustrations add to the charm of this board book. Occasionally the rhythm is a little off, and the vocabulary reflects a 1960’s generation (groovin; know what ‘m sayin; neat;), which is especially incongruent when Bubbe’s grandson is rapping. Zaydes will enjoy reading this book, too." - Association of Jewish Libraries

(Other Print)

"A close-knit Jewish family's preparations for Shabbat are set to a hip-hop beat in this attractive board book. Each lively four-line verse is sung by a smiling boy sporting a backwards baseball cap. His gray-haired Bubbe, wearing a sunny yellow apron, dances along waving a spoon. Of course, once seated at the Shabbat table, the young protagonist's head is respectfully covered by a white kippah. His rhymes trip off the tongue with ease. The first and last verses bookend the story, ending, respectively, 'She's got the beat' and 'I've got the beat.' The digitally enhanced illustrations rendered in pen and ink with watercolor show a rather idealized world. Bubbe's tree-shaded white clapboard house is tidy and welcoming. As the fifth stanza says, 'Cousins by the dozens, / Knockin' on the door. / Bubbe's got it covered, / Always room for more.' Readers unfamiliar with Jewish traditions of Shabbat may not understand the details of the story, and words such as challah, kiddush, kugel, and even bubbe are not defined (though young goyim are likely to recognize her as a grandma regardless). Still, the spirit of family togetherness is indisputable. Affirming for children in Jewish families and useful for non-Jewish families that want to casually instill respect for another religious culture. (Board book. 2-4)" - Kirkus Reviews

(Journal)

"The Jewish Sabbath gets a bouncy spin as one boy heads to his grandma’s house to celebrate. He’s excited
to help her prepare ('Bubbe’s bakin’ challah, / Dough is in the bowl. / Gonna be her helper, / That’s how
we roll'), and the family celebration only grows as 'cousins by the dozens' show up to partake. Hebrew
words are sprinkled liberally through the text, and though the rhyme doesn’t always scan, the dauntless
energy makes this fun to read aloud. A welcome introduction for kids who aren’t familiar with Shabbat,
and a happy portrayal for those who are." - Booklist (Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1512447633
• ISBN 13: 9781512447637
• Binding: Board book
• Number of pages: 12
• Illustrator: Mary Hall