Shabbat

In this upbeat picture book, Nerlove (Purim) invites young readers to a Jewish family's celebration of Shabbat, or the Sabbath. Each Friday, Mom and the children clean the house, set the table and bake the challah bread in preparation for their Sabbath dinner. At the table, Mom lights candles with a Sabbath blessing and Daddy says the Kiddush blessing over the wine. The warm and happy evening gives way to Saturday morning, when the whole family attends services at the synagogue, listening to the cantor and the rabbi. The family later ends the Sabbath with another candle lighting called Havdalah. Nerlove paints these sacred rituals as a joyful part of everyday Jewish life, not reserved for those who are especially religious. Her rhyming text keeps the mood light while also imparting information about Hebrew and Yiddish words and customs. Airy, pale-toned watercolors clearly depict a close-knit clan celebrating its faith. Jewish children familiar with these practices will take pride in seeing them in print, while those unfamiliar may be encouraged to start a new family tradition; and non-Jews will enjoy discovering elements of another religion. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)