Sadie's Sukkah Breakfast

October 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 1-During the Jewish harvest holiday of Sukkot, families build temporary huts in which to dine and visit with friends. Sadie and her little brother, Ori, are excited about the sukkah in their backyard and decide to have breakfast there on the first morning of the festival. The youngsters struggle a little with arrangements but ultimately create a successful celebration with food and stuffed-animal friends. This is a sweet and low-key story, with gentle, sunny illustrations. It is as much about its young protagonists' independence and initiative as it is about Sukkot. A brief author's note describes the holiday, but the book will be most appreciated by those already familiar with it. A solid purchase for Judaica collections and an additional purchase elsewhere.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Excited for Sukkot, siblings Sadie and Ori wake up early and bring breakfast out to their sukkah. After some (very minor) mishaps, breakfast is ready, and a few stuffed-animal friends help share the special meal. The somewhat dull story is buoyed by peaceful, slightly blurred illustrations. An explanatory note about Sukkot is appended.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)