The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Siona Benjamin Levine Querido, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Amy Blaine Buy at Bookshop.org On the title verso (e-version review copy) of On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel, a small note describes the process by which illustrator Siona Benjamin created the images for her forthcoming picture book: “Siona Benjamin began the process for illustrating this book by researching images from her own Indian Jewish family, community and background.” Images of saris, pomegranates, and head-coverings emphasize the common threads of culture. Blues, oranges, and yellows provide a vibrant backdrop for the words, told by Erica Lyons; a story of how this unique community first came to be on the Indian subcontinent. At first glance, this book takes the form of a contemporary grandmother telling the story of her family’s past to her granddaughter. Yet beneath the surface is a fascinating

One More Story, Tata! by Julie Salamon, illustrated by Jill Weber Minerva (imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva Buy at Bookshop.org   Ruby, the story’s precocious toddler protagonist, goes with her parents to spend each Friday with her grandparents, Yaya and Papa, and great grandmother, Tata, culminating in a celebratory Shabbat dinner. Ruby is fascinated with Tata, who is “very old,” and has many stories and dreams to share. Parallels between the young Ruby and the elderly Tata are subtly shown, such as the stroller/walker, naptime, and wanting to do things independently. While I found the names confusing at times, Weber’s illustrations help tell the story and depict a happy Jewish multi-generational family. There is no conflict or problem solving in this book; rather, it focuses on the importance of family traditions, including sharing stories and photos, and Shabbat. I found it interesting that although Ruby’s father is depic

The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Felisha Henditirto Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner Buy at Bookshop.org In  The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah , Jane Yolen relates the tale of a distant relative, Rochel-Leah, who grew up illiterate in the shtetl in the 1830s until her great longing to read pushed her to beg, sneak around, and eventually find a way to learn Hebrew. Intially barred from cheder because she was a girl, eventually Rochel-Leah becomes a teacher herself. She's depicted with great spunk and affection. Henditirto's illustrations nicely support the text. Most of the colors of clothing, furniture, and the forest in and around Rochel-Leah's home are subdued, but her dreams of reading--as well as the contents of books--are suffused with a lovely glow, sparkling with holiness and joy. While the story presents two solid messages -- "Torah learning is f

Robot Shabbat by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Dave Williams Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Kathryn Hall Buy at Bookshop.org This short picture book is about a young girl who, from the illustrations, appears to be white and to live on another planet. She builds a robot, prepares for Shabbat, and celebrates with the help of the robot, her parents, and a cat. No other humans or other living creatures are seen, but there are flowers which seem non-terrestrial. The simple repeating rhymes tell some of the story, but much of the message is carried by the cheerful child-friendly art, which show futuristic colorful clothing (think Star Trek), long sleeves and pants, and a father in a kippah. There is a touch of whimsy when the robot lights the Shabbat candles with its finger. This book is suitable for very young children. The book includes a brief afterward about Shabbat, and the story does a nice job of carrying the idea of

Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton by Lori Dubbin, illustrated by Amanda Quartey Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Karin Fisher-Golton Buy at Bookshop.org In Perfect Match , author Lori Dubbin recounts the true story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton’s friendship and eventual tennis doubles partnership. As the story opens Althea is already established in her skills, but as a Black American tennis player in the 1950s, she is excluded from the main tennis league. The story flashes back slightly to Angela’s childhood in England in the 1940s, when she is developing a strong interest and talent in tennis, but is unable to join any tennis club because she is Jewish. Angela esteems Althea, and when she has a chance to see her play, she takes it eagerly. Later, when an opportunity to play in the same tennis tour opens up for both of them, they meet and become friends. Eventually Althea and Angela, who both

Avital the Pirate by Pamela Moritz, illustrated by Damien Jones Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton Buy at Bookshop.org When Avital's great uncle, the Pirate Brownbeard, visits shortly before Rosh Hashanah, she joins him for an adventure. At first she has fun sharing culture with the pirates. She blow the shofar for them and they teach her some pirate songs. The author Pamela Moritz mentions kid-friendly titles of a couple of pirate standards that are sure to make older readers laugh. But when she finds out that the pirates plan to steal treasure from other people, Avital lectures her uncle that stealing is wrong. And when they run across a ship with an elderly crew, she stresses that it is a mitzvah to respect old people. She teaches the crew ways to enjoy themselves without hurting people. The cute colorful illustrations by Damien Jones show a ship full of smiling pirates having fun. The brigh, bold a