My First Jewish Word Book

Text and captioned pictures depict the Jewish home, community, holidays, and symbols

PreSchool-Grade 2-- An appealing introduction to traditional Jewish culture and holiday observances that's similar in style and format to the picture indentification books by Richard Scarry (Random). A variety of animals with cheerful expressions and colorful outfits supply the action in double-page layouts of a home, synagogue, community, the state of Israel, and the celebration of several holidays. The simple text provides a one- or two-sentence background for the lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations and labels for the objects pictured. Touches of humor such as a rabbit scrunching his face while receiving a relative's kiss encourage repeated browsing. The book concludes with definitions of some of the Hebrew and Yiddish words used in the text. A pleasant supplement for larger or special libraries.
- Bonnie Siegel, Westacres Public Library, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this Richard Scarry-style word book, Jewish readers will delight in the everyday antics of the familiar, humanized animals who cook, eat, play and celebrate--this time with a Judaic twist. Busy, double-page vignettes of Hebrew holidays and religious customs follow introductory overviews and cutaway illustrations of a Jewish home, synagogue and community. Youngsters can find the predictable TV, couch, dishes and bed, but also a kippah on the dresser, gefilte fish in the refrigerator and a box of Purim costumes in the attic. While the book attempts to immerse children in a particular culture, non-Jewish readers will require some bridge-building explanations and pronunciation help. (A brief dictionary of lesser-known words is included.) However, where children are taught the special traditions and symbols of Judaism, this book may reinforce and exhilarate learning. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.