Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah

July 15, 2010

Sammy Spider, that curious arachnid who refuses to just spin webs, follows his boy companion Josh to a Simchat Torah service when he gets himself stuck on a syrupy candy apple atop a small Jewish flag. As in previous outings, the inquisitive spiderling learns about this important Jewish fall holiday that joyously marks the year-long completion of the reading of the Torah through parade, singing and dancing. Just as Josh likes to read his favorite book over and over again, the Jewish people like to read the Torah, their favorite story, again and again. Signature cut-paper collage art employs some lovely colors and textures, but Kahn's choice of blank blue and brown paper eyes is disconcerting, and the all-too-familiar question-and-answer pattern of this author/illustrator duo make this entry in their series feel stale. Still, there are few enough choices available on this particular celebration to allow purchasers to be too choosy. A candy-apple recipe completes the formulaic, if well-meaning, tale. (Picture book. 3-6)

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