This picture book by Allison and Wayne Marks is a delightful rhyming tale filled with Yiddish expressions. A modern Bubbe buys a jar of gefilte fish for the family Shabbos dinner, but the jar refuses to open no matter how hard she tries. After Bubbe, Zayde, the neighbors, a mechanic, a doctor, a dentist and various other people attempt the task of getting the jar open, Bubbe’s young grandson, Jack, finally saves the day with his magic word (of course)!
The cartoon-like illustrations by Renee Andriani add to the fun. A glossary of Yiddish words, a gefilte fish mini-muffin recipe, and an original Shabbat song included in the text enhance the book’s appeal.
Recommended for ages 4 – 8.
Sandy Lanton, a former teacher, earned a BA in Psychology and an MS in Early Childhood Education from Queens College. She is the author of Daddy’s Chair (Sydney Taylor Award), The Happy Hackers, Lots Of Latkes, Still a Family: A Young Child’s Book About Divorce (Gittle Honorable Mention), and The Littlest Levine (named one of the best Jewish Children’s Books of 2014 by Tablet Magazine). Her work has appeared in magazines as well as several anthologies. When she isn’t writing stories or visiting schools, Ms. Lanton likes to crochet, line dance, play bridge and pickleball, spend time with her grandchildren, and read, read, read.
