Review by Booklist Review
Lilting, rhymed couplets detail the steps involved in baking challah from scratch. Together, a young girl and her grandmother add ingredients, mix batter, knead dough, and wait for it to rise while playing cards and coloring. Then they shape and braid, wait again, top with an egg-white wash, and bake. Finally, they set the table for their intergenerational Shabbat celebration, where the freshly baked loaf is the star. Ackerman's lighthearted verses speak to the easy camaraderie between this pair in what seems to be a treasured ritual. Millgram's illustrations complement the text's cozy, relaxed, and timeless feel. Using pastel shades of green and brown, with touches of blue and burnt umber as accents, the characters revel in their passion for this task. Smaller inset illustrations and vivid facial expressions depict the young girl successfully breaking an egg by herself and beating the batter with great enthusiasm. With eye-popping endpapers spotlighting the ingredients and an appended recipe for this traditional Shabbat offering, this makes a lovely addition to the Judaica shelf.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Standing with Grandma at the kitchen counter (with "a little boost" from a step stool), a redheaded child in orange coveralls is poised to help with making challah. Persuading the elder that they're "bigger now," they prepare to crack the eggs. With a squint that expresses a blend of concentration and confidence, the child adroitly achieves the desired result, and then it's on to the rest: "Whirring,/ whirring,/ swiftly stirring," Ackerman writes, then two rounds of kneading, plus braiding, baking, and, finally, savoring by a houseful of Shabbat guests. In mostly single-plane domestic scenes with touches of whimsy (a bird occasionally dances around the proceedings), Millgram depicts the duo as well-matched collaborators in the kitchen and avid playmates as the dough rests. Given a loving intergenerational connection, delicious homemade bread, and the joy of a traditional family gathering, it's no wonder the child dreams "a galaxy of challah dreams." Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--The aroma and warmth of fresh baked challah permeates each page of this charming picture book as a grandmother and her granddaughter work together to prepare for a Shabbat supper. Starting with a simple mixture of yeast, sugar, and water, the challah dough starts to take shape as eggs, flour, honey, and oil are added. Summoned by a series of tightly rhymed couplets and alliterative phrases, readers follow the pair of bakers as they knead and stretch, rest and split, twist and bake. As family and friends gather for Shabbat in a room filled with laughter and love, a freshly baked challah loaf is enjoyed by all. Ackerman uses a gentle, rhythmic flow to guide readers through each meticulous step of the bread-making process. The lilting text is matched by a snug, inviting kitchen scene rendered in warm hues of yellow, brown, and washed-out green. Detailed insets illustrate various stages; these visual aids not only support the text but also provide an engaging way for children to follow along. The oversized text and a combination of phrases and short sentences enhances accessibility for children. VERDICT An excellent option for a food-themed shared reading.--Louie Lauer
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Review by Horn Book Review
"Fingers crossed it turns out right. / Challah for Shabbat tonight." Singsong rhymes take readers and listeners step by step as the narrator bakes challah with Grandma, including the fun of waiting together and, later, of Shabbat dinner with family. Illustrations are appealingly varied, from insets showing details of baking to flighty spreads with ingredients and smells dancing across the page. A welcome, warm portrayal of the Jewish Sabbath and of an intergenerational relationship. (c) Copyright 2024. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Jewish tradition brings a family together across generations. A grandmother and child spend the day making challah and preparing for Shabbat dinner. They take their time with each step in the recipe while bonding over the familiar ritual. While the dough rises, they play games, make art, and look at scrapbooks. When the rest of the family joins the pair for Shabbat dinner, everyone sits down to enjoy the challah in a scene of joyful togetherness. That night, the child dreams of challah. This story captures the multisensory experience of challah baking: the sound of eggs cracking into the batter, the stretchy feel of the dough, the aroma of baking wheat, and the sight of a glossy bronzed loaf. Playful illustrations reflect the joy in both flurries of activity and periods of rest. The sweet, comforting rhyming couplets scan smoothly, making for a pleasant read-aloud. The step-by-step descriptions will have many kids feeling ready to bake their own challah; a recipe is included. The child and grandmother are light-skinned; additional family members vary in skin tone. Some adult characters wear yarmulkes. A quiet celebration of the cultural and family rituals that feed us, in all kinds of ways.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
