Shoshi’s Shabbat

In fields near Jerusalem, a winsome brown and white ox named Shoshi works hard six days a week for her Jewish human, Simon. On the seventh day, Shabbat, she rests along with Simon’s family, all portrayed with brown skin, eating sweet hay and playing hide-and-seek with his grandchildren. Eventually, Simon grows too old to guide the plow, and he sells Shoshi to recent arrival Yohanan, who “did not always understand the ways of his Jewish neighbors.” Shoshi’s refusal to work on the seventh day (“She tossed her head to the left. She stamped her feet”), perplexes and angers Yohanan, until, seeing Simon walking on the Sabbath, he realizes, “I am a clever man... Yet I work seven days a week, with no day to rest, no day to give thanks. Perhaps Shoshi is the clever one.” Openhearted directness from Yacowitz (I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel) and visually playful acrylic art by Hawkes (There’s a Dodo on the Wedding Cake) make a lovely match, as in one spread that affirms Shoshi’s work ethic by showing her dutifully ploughing Yohanan’s fields as if circling a clock (“Shoshi plowed for six days. Yohanan was pleased”). Based on Torah commentary, this pensive picture book is a welcome reminder of the importance of pausing to practice gratitude. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)