Here Is the World

July 28, 2014
For an observant Jewish family, a year continually offers cause for celebration—especially when a newly arrived baby sister kicks off the cycle with a naming ceremony: “Here is the rabbi, with blessing to share./ Here is a wish and a hope and a prayer.” The simple couplets, which begin with the repeating phrase “Here is/are,” for a dash of liturgical rhythm, chronicle a year of togetherness in the home, in the synagogue (“open to all”), and in the outdoors: “Here is the shofar, its sound pure and sweet,” she writes about Rosh Hashanah, “Here are some apples and honey to eat.” (In keeping with the lighthearted mood, Yom Kippur is represented by a delicious “break-fast.”) Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal’s charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring—with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course. A glossary, crafts ideas, and recipes conclude the book. Ages 4-7. Author’s agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agent: Morgan Gaynin.

August 15, 2014
The year's range of Jewish holidays and celebrations are presented in this repeating, rhyming chant that features key succinct elements for each. "Here are your parents, with arms open wide. / Here are your siblings, to stand by your side." Beginning in early fall, Newman carefully chooses a new baby girl's naming ceremony, not usually represented in other literature, followed by a Shabbat candle lighting, dinner and visit to the synagogue. She then launches into the high holy days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simhat Torah. Winter leads with Hanukkah, followed by Tu B'Shevat and Purim before the traditional spring celebrations of Passover and Shavuot. An early summer Shabbat picnic brings the year full circle. Bookending this annual list with Shabbat observances reflects the significance the Sabbath holds in Judaism. Gal's illustrations provide a visual narrative, ending with a first birthday party for the baby named at the outset; the story culminates with her family marveling at the "ever-changing world" and wonder of their child. Charcoal drawings enhanced with digital collage create textured, festive scenes for each of the ceremonial traditions. Backmatter explanations fill out the basics (including the bris, or boys' welcome ceremony) with a specific craft or activity for each holiday. Both lovely and eminently useful. (Picture book/religion. 3-6)

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November 1, 2014

PreS-K-With a warm, sing-song patter and exquisite illustrations, this lovely picture book introduces young children to a joyous year of Jewish holidays and celebrations. Highlighting the essence of each season's offerings, the rhyming text moves smoothly from a summer baby naming to autumn's Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, and so on through the Jewish year ("Here is the sukkah, its roof made of twigs. Here are some grapes, pomegranates, and figs."). Yet the true stars here are the richly hued, digitally collaged illustrations, which add depth and whimsy. These pictures contain such warmth and life that readers will want to jump in and join the festivities. Each spread displays an abundance of colors and textures that work perfectly to create distinctive moods for the various holidays, whether it's a gregarious Simchat Torah parade, the warm glow of a Chanukah menorah, or the freshness of an early spring day planting trees for Tu B'Shevat. Back matter includes a more detailed description of each holiday, crafts, and recipes. A distinctive and welcome addition.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades K-2 Beginning with a naming ceremony for a new baby, a cheerful family with three children celebrates notable Jewish holidays throughout the year. The kids eat apples and honey while listening to the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, plant trees with their friends on Tu B'Shevat, don costumes and make lots of noise on Purim, and enjoy milk and honey treats in a wheat field on Shavuot. Each two-page spread pairs a rhyming couplet that very briefly introduces a holiday or season with a beautiful full-bleed illustration in a riot of colors. Gal's luminous, smudgy charcoal and digital-collage art captures the joyfulness and excitement of celebrating holidays with friends and family, and helpful seasonal markersbig and bold sunflowers in early fall, windswept snowy trees in the winterprovide useful context clues. Brief descriptions of the celebrations and some of their traditions are included, as well as an easy craft project or recipe for each holiday, some of which will require adult assistance. These warm illustrations and cheery verses will likely build anticipation all year long.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)