The Bagel King

by Andrew Larsen (Author) Sandy Nichols (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Every Sunday morning, no matter the weather, Eli could count on Zaida to bring bagels from Merv's Bakery. Eli loved the time they spent together enjoying their favorite treats. "Warm. Chewy. Salty," Eli thought. "Bagels were the best thing about Sunday." But one Sunday, Zaida didn't come. He had fallen at Merv's and "hurt his tuches," and the doctor said Zaida had to rest at home for two whole weeks. This meant Eli had no Sunday morning bagels. And neither did Zaida's friends, who had been receiving their own weekly deliveries from Zaida. Will they all go hungry for bagels on Sunday? Or is there something Eli can do?

Award-winning author Andrew Larsen's picture book story offers a gently humorous take on the special bond between a boy and his grandfather and the simple ritual that looms so large in their lives. It also highlights a terrific character education lesson about how a young child can take responsibility and, with a little initiative, help a family member in need. With a blend of retro and contemporary styles, Sandy Nichols's softly colored illustrations cleverly convey the story's timelessness and capture Eli's diverse neighborhood. This book will spark wonderful discussions about family traditions and community. A mini glossary and pronunciation guide for the Yiddish words that are sprinkled throughout the story (like mensch and oy) provides an opportunity to learn about the many words we use in English that come from other languages, and to explore the connections between culture and language.

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Every Sunday morning, Eli's grandpa, Zaida, goes to Merv's Bakery for bagels. So Eli is both hungry and anxious when Zaida doesn't show up one week. A phone call reveals that poor grandpa "had slipped on some schmutz at Merv's" and "hurt his tuches" and had to rest at home for two weeks. Eli rushes over and is surprised to learn that he is not the only disappointed bagel lover. A trio of old men explain that "Every Sunday morning we come to your zaida's apartment for a feast." All week long, Eli visits with chicken soup and library books, and on Sunday morning he rises early with purpose. Filling in for Zaida, he gets everyone's order just right and heads to Merv's--with a little extra surprise as well. ("What a mensch!...The boy's a prince...he's a king...the Bagel King!") The colorful acrylic paintings are comical and evocative. At the doctor's office, grandpa is pictured frowning in his green gown as the doctor offers him an inflated donut to ease the pain that looks suspiciously like a bagel. VERDICT This sweet intergenerational Jewish family story is filled with humor and heart. A warm addition for individual and small group sharing.--Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

The endearing portrayal of a young boy's relationship with his grandfather makes for a warm, intergenerational story.—Kirkus Reviews
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781771385749
Lexile Measure
510
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Kids Can Press
Publication date
May 01, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
JUV023000 - Juvenile Fiction | Lifestyles | City & Town Life
JUV050000 - Juvenile Fiction | Cooking & Food
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Grandparent and child
Jews
Grandfathers
Soups
Days
Bagels
Sunday

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