Robot Shabbat

by Laura Gehl (Author) Dave Williams (Illustrator)

Robot Shabbat
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

"A fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects." --School Library Journal

An introduction to the traditions of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, with a Jetsons twist!

In preparation for the weekly Sabbath dinner and celebration, a young girl builds a robot from household junk. The girl and robot become quick friends, vrooming around the space colony, baking challah, making matzah ball soup and getting ready to celebrate with family. Together, the girl and robot light the Shabbat candles and sing the blessings. A science fiction Shabbat, told in fun rhyme with an emphasis on noticing sounds.

An author's note explaining Shabbat makes this a fun-filled introduction to this important Jewish ritual.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.95

School Library Journal

PreS--Venture into outer space and enjoy the preparations for Shabbat with a young girl and her family on a distant planet. The story is told in short rhyming phrases and repetitive onomatopoeia that will have young readers chiming in with a "Clunk, clunk, clunk" or "Bang, bang, bang" of their own. The setting is reminiscent of "The Jetsons" cartoons, with domed houses on stilts, hovercraft zipping by, and even a robotic friend that the girl assembles. Together, the girl and her bot "vroom" around the house, snipping flowers for the table, stirring soup, and baking bread. Once the candles are lit and the blessings are sung, the pace slows and the sounds quiet from the bang of construction to the tearing of bread. Finally, both the girl and bot snuggle into bed at the end of a busy day. A "Dear Reader" note in the back discusses the meaning of Shabbat and refers to details from the story. VERDICT A fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects.--Suzanne Costner

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Laura Gehl
LAURA GEHL is the author of nearly two dozen popular picture books, board books, and early readers. Her books include One Big Pair of Underwear (Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, International Literacy Association Honor Book, Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice); the Peep and Egg series (Parents' Choice Recommendation, Children's Choice Book Award Finalist); among others. Visit her on the web at lauragehl.com

ANDREA ZUILL is the author-illustrator of Regina is NOT a Little Dinosaur, an Indie Next List selection; Sweety, a Booklist Best Book of the Year; and Wolf Camp, a Children's Choice Award finalist. She is also the creator of Business Pig, Dance Is for Everyone, and Marigold & Daisy. Andrea is the illustrator of Cat Dog Dog by Nelly Buchet, an American Library Association Notable Book which was called "A clever, winning read-aloud for modern families" in a starred review from Kirkus. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in California, Texas, and New York. Visit Andrea on the Web at andreazuill.org or follow her on Twitter at @AndreaZuill.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781681156491
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Apples & Honey Press
Publication date
November 12, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV053000 - Juvenile Fiction | Science Fiction
JUV033020 - Juvenile Fiction | Religious | Jewish
JUV017090 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Other, Religious
JUV056000 - Juvenile Fiction | Robots
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Stories in rhyme
Robots
Sabbath

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