Review: Shira the Singing Puppy

Shira the Singing Puppy

by Ilana R. Wieder, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo

Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Cindy Rivka Marshall

 

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We first meet the puppy, Shira, in a colorful garden with musical notes floating across the landscape. Shira - whose name appropriately means "song" in Hebrew - loves to sing and howl. The opening pages of nature imagery, with flowers, ladybugs, snail and bee, immediately conveys Shira’s joy in life.

Each day of the week, the puppy tries to sing for her human family. But repeatedly, they say, “Hush and shush, Shira. Not today.” The children are doing homework or have music lessons. They are watching TV or have playdates. The puppy’s howls are not appreciated, but the reproach is gentle. The repetition of “sh” sounds in the refrain, “Hush and shush, Shira,” reminding one of comforting a baby.

The book has an added layer of teaching the days of the week, with Shabbat and Havdalah as the culmination. Finally, after the Havdalah blessings have been sung, Shira lets loose and sings with her family – and they are all delighted. Although the story is told in third person, the dog’s point of view is central. It conveys an additional message about patience and having to wait one’s turn.

The illustrations by Alexandra Colombo are pleasing and playful, bringing a gentle humor and warmth. I love the squiggly lines of the child’s hair, the owl looking for the first stars to appear, and the adorable contentment on Shira’s face when she finally has her moment to shine.

At first, I identified with the singing puppy and was a bit indignant that her creative expression was not allowed more often. But then I realized, in my household we have a cute dog with a loud, bothersome bark. My family says, “Hush” to our dog too – and she complies only some of the time!

The book’s cover shows the puppy next to a table set for Shabbat, and the inside title page shows Havdalah ritual items. Otherwise, on the pages of Sunday through Thursday there are no visuals signaling the family’s Jewish identity. The family depicted is white, with a mother and father, and a boy and a girl who do traditionally gendered activities - the boy plays soccer, the girl takes ballet, but both the mother and the father go to work outside the home. On Shabbat, all four family members are shown wearing kippot. The children participate fully in the Shabbat rituals.

Concluding the book with Havdalah serves as a vehicle for teaching about it. While the Shabbat and Havdalah rituals, food and objects will be relatable for some children, the book may serve to help children and adults in other families gain more familiarity. The book includes backmatter with all the Havdalah blessings written in English, Hebrew and transliteration, providing a great resource for families. 

 

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Reviewer Cindy Rivka Marshall is a professional Jewish storyteller, intergenerational educator, story coach and picture book writer. Her recordings have won awards from Parent’s Choice, Storytelling World and National Parenting Publications. She leads workshops and facilitates story sharing to build community and diversity awareness. Cindy lives in the Boston area and was twice selected to participate in the PJ Library Summer Camp for Jewish Picture Book Writers. www.cindymarshall.com