A child and grandmother joyfully work together to produce two beautifully braided challah loaves in the charming Challah for Shabbat Tonight by Sara Holly Ackerman (Not Just the Driver!) and Alona Millgram (Sally Ride).
It's Friday, and a child with two red braids stands on a stepstool ready to make challah with Grandma: "Bowl, spoon, open book,/ a little boost so I can look./ Grandma's apron tied on tight./ Challah for Shabbat tonight." Challah's long preparation process is described in short, punchy rhyming lines: the ingredients are mixed, the dough is kneaded, and it is plunked in the bowl to rise "and double up to twice its size." Once the dough has risen, it is divided into twin loaves to feed a large extended family and guests, then braided, and allowed to rise once more. Next the child and grandmother "dip,/ brush,/ swish, shine.// Glossy egg-white glaze--divine!" Finally, the dough is baked, the table is set, the candles are lit, and a large, diverse group gathers.
The intergenerational theme and rhyming text make this book an excellent read-aloud. The grandchild and grandmother enjoying themselves while waiting for the dough to rise shows both a shared love and the knowledge that sometimes one must wait for good things. The illustrations, with a palette that heavily leans on tones of green, gold, and brown, depict a comfortable home, and a pet cat and a wild bird (that flies in through a window) cavort through most scenes, lending a playful tone to the art. The only thing missing from this homey, comforting book is a challah recipe readers could try making themselves. --Melinda Greenblatt, freelance book reviewer