{"id":8224673005805,"title":"On Friday Afternoon","handle":"on-friday-afternoon","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eComing April 30, 2024. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/michal-babay\"\u003eMichal Babay\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/menahem-halberstadt\"\u003eMenahem Halberstadt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Friday afternoon mitzvot turn into a rambunctious picture book adventure as their family gets ready for Shabbat!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s only three hours until Shabbat, and there’s a lot to do! Friday afternoon’s mitzvot of cleaning the house and collecting donations go sideways with Leelee and her dog, Pickles, at the helm. But with so many items on their to-do list—and the distraction of Mom’s warm challah rolls—will the family be ready in time for the candle lighting?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rhythmic, incredibly silly, and heartwarming glimpse inside a Jewish home as they prepare for Shabbat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/brand-new-bubbe\"\u003eBrand-New Bubbe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-incredible-shrinking-lunchroom\"\u003eThe Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SY_coHHFh5E?si=9bhUurIhUWDlnr3q\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-spread.jpg?v=1694721599\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover.jpg?v=1694721599\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1694721603\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichal Babay, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichal Babay is a former teacher and elementary school resource specialist who decided to follow her writing dreams. She is the author of I'm a \u003cem\u003eGluten Sniffing Service Dog \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom\u003c\/em\u003e and lives in California with her husband, three kids, three dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon named Gus Pirate Potato.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/michal-babay\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Michal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMenahem Halberstadt, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMenahem Halberstadt is a freelance illustrator, art director, and cartoonist. He has illustrated many books for young readers and lives in Israel with his wife and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/menahem-halberstadt\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Menahem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung Leelee and her dog, Pickles, prepare for Shabbat one busy Friday afternoon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the spiraling structure of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), the book follows the duo from one activity to the next. Leelee and Pickles must clean up the crumbs they dropped while eating challah, which leads to them finding loose change under the couch. They decide to donate the money, but the tzedakah boxes are full, so Leelee empties out a flowerpot to use instead. Onomatopoeic interjections, encouraging a read-aloud experience, are included throughout, beginning with the simple clink of a coin and escalating to the “Pah! Bah-bah! Rah!” of a trombone that Leelee finds when searching for a shoe. This discovery leads, naturally, to a parade through the street, with Leelee and Pickles inviting the neighbors and friends they meet home for dinner. The penultimate spread calms both characters and readers with the sights and sounds of candle-lighting before the Shabbat meal begins. Expressive cartoon illustrations depict a brown-haired, olive-skinned Jewish family enjoying a loving, if hectic, afternoon. A close-up of detritus under the couch and a long shot of a mother putting on earrings in a mostly tidy house convey the dynamism of the scene; Leelee’s curly pigtails bring an enormous energy all their own. Repetition and mounting lists create a propulsive rhythm as sunset grows nearer. Leelee’s community is a diverse one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm and lovely. (author’s note)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSundown is only a few hours away, and young Leelee and dog Pickles are theoretically helping their family prepare for Shabbat. Animation-style digital artwork by Halberstadt ([em]A Basket Full of Figs[\/em]) tells a different story, however. As the pair moves from room to room, they leave a mess in their wake—crumbs from taste-tested challah rolls, and detritus around a newly decorated tzedakah container. But between the time crunch and the anticipation (soon, “there are only ten minutes until candle lighting”), arriving guests—led into the house via procession by Leelee and Pickles—immediately lend a hand. “A cousin adds flavorful food to the table.... Friends dig up extra chairs, plates, and glasses.... Mom watches over the roast and the kugel, and everyone watches the clock,” writes Babay (The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom). At last, sundown arrives, and with Leelee at her side, Mom strikes a match to light the Shabbat candles, and text wishes “Shabbat Shalom.” While the reason why all the preparations must be completed by sundown is never fully explained, the eager-eyed characters, portrayed with various skin tones, sweetly convey gifts of shared ritual, connection, and gratitude. An author’s note concludes. Ages 5–8. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-357-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5–8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePublication date: April 30, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-10-12T10:11:41-04:00","created_at":"2023-09-19T10:53:57-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","judaica"],"price":1599,"price_min":1599,"price_max":1599,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44244018430189,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":null,"requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"On Friday Afternoon - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1599,"weight":369,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":null,"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover_5f2ea164-560c-4080-a314-043bc806c5d9.jpg?v=1695135656"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover_5f2ea164-560c-4080-a314-043bc806c5d9.jpg?v=1695135656","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":31632265314541,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.805,"height":745,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover_5f2ea164-560c-4080-a314-043bc806c5d9.jpg?v=1695135656"},"aspect_ratio":0.805,"height":745,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover_5f2ea164-560c-4080-a314-043bc806c5d9.jpg?v=1695135656","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eComing April 30, 2024. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/michal-babay\"\u003eMichal Babay\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/menahem-halberstadt\"\u003eMenahem Halberstadt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Friday afternoon mitzvot turn into a rambunctious picture book adventure as their family gets ready for Shabbat!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s only three hours until Shabbat, and there’s a lot to do! Friday afternoon’s mitzvot of cleaning the house and collecting donations go sideways with Leelee and her dog, Pickles, at the helm. But with so many items on their to-do list—and the distraction of Mom’s warm challah rolls—will the family be ready in time for the candle lighting?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rhythmic, incredibly silly, and heartwarming glimpse inside a Jewish home as they prepare for Shabbat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/brand-new-bubbe\"\u003eBrand-New Bubbe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-incredible-shrinking-lunchroom\"\u003eThe Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SY_coHHFh5E?si=9bhUurIhUWDlnr3q\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-spread.jpg?v=1694721599\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover.jpg?v=1694721599\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/on-friday-afternoon-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1694721603\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichal Babay, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichal Babay is a former teacher and elementary school resource specialist who decided to follow her writing dreams. She is the author of I'm a \u003cem\u003eGluten Sniffing Service Dog \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom\u003c\/em\u003e and lives in California with her husband, three kids, three dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon named Gus Pirate Potato.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/michal-babay\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Michal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMenahem Halberstadt, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMenahem Halberstadt is a freelance illustrator, art director, and cartoonist. He has illustrated many books for young readers and lives in Israel with his wife and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/menahem-halberstadt\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Menahem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung Leelee and her dog, Pickles, prepare for Shabbat one busy Friday afternoon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the spiraling structure of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), the book follows the duo from one activity to the next. Leelee and Pickles must clean up the crumbs they dropped while eating challah, which leads to them finding loose change under the couch. They decide to donate the money, but the tzedakah boxes are full, so Leelee empties out a flowerpot to use instead. Onomatopoeic interjections, encouraging a read-aloud experience, are included throughout, beginning with the simple clink of a coin and escalating to the “Pah! Bah-bah! Rah!” of a trombone that Leelee finds when searching for a shoe. This discovery leads, naturally, to a parade through the street, with Leelee and Pickles inviting the neighbors and friends they meet home for dinner. The penultimate spread calms both characters and readers with the sights and sounds of candle-lighting before the Shabbat meal begins. Expressive cartoon illustrations depict a brown-haired, olive-skinned Jewish family enjoying a loving, if hectic, afternoon. A close-up of detritus under the couch and a long shot of a mother putting on earrings in a mostly tidy house convey the dynamism of the scene; Leelee’s curly pigtails bring an enormous energy all their own. Repetition and mounting lists create a propulsive rhythm as sunset grows nearer. Leelee’s community is a diverse one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm and lovely. (author’s note)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSundown is only a few hours away, and young Leelee and dog Pickles are theoretically helping their family prepare for Shabbat. Animation-style digital artwork by Halberstadt ([em]A Basket Full of Figs[\/em]) tells a different story, however. As the pair moves from room to room, they leave a mess in their wake—crumbs from taste-tested challah rolls, and detritus around a newly decorated tzedakah container. But between the time crunch and the anticipation (soon, “there are only ten minutes until candle lighting”), arriving guests—led into the house via procession by Leelee and Pickles—immediately lend a hand. “A cousin adds flavorful food to the table.... Friends dig up extra chairs, plates, and glasses.... Mom watches over the roast and the kugel, and everyone watches the clock,” writes Babay (The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom). At last, sundown arrives, and with Leelee at her side, Mom strikes a match to light the Shabbat candles, and text wishes “Shabbat Shalom.” While the reason why all the preparations must be completed by sundown is never fully explained, the eager-eyed characters, portrayed with various skin tones, sweetly convey gifts of shared ritual, connection, and gratitude. An author’s note concludes. Ages 5–8. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-357-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5–8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePublication date: April 30, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e"}

On Friday Afternoon

Coming April 30, 2024. Pre-order today!

By: Michal Babay / Illustrated by: Menahem Halberstadt

The Friday afternoon mitzvot turn into a rambunctious picture book adventure as their family gets ready for Shabbat!

There’s only three hours until Shabbat, and there’s a lot to do! Friday afternoon’s mitzvot of cleaning the house and collecting donations go sideways with Leelee and her dog, Pickles, at the helm. But with so many items on their to-do list—and the distraction of Mom’s warm challah rolls—will the family be ready in time for the candle lighting?

A rhythmic, incredibly silly, and heartwarming glimpse inside a Jewish home as they prepare for Shabbat.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Michal Babay, author

Michal Babay is a former teacher and elementary school resource specialist who decided to follow her writing dreams. She is the author of I'm a Gluten Sniffing Service Dog and The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom and lives in California with her husband, three kids, three dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon named Gus Pirate Potato.

Read more about Michal.


Menahem Halberstadt, illustrator

Menahem Halberstadt is a freelance illustrator, art director, and cartoonist. He has illustrated many books for young readers and lives in Israel with his wife and children.

Read more about Menahem.

  • Coming soon!

Kirkus Reviews

Young Leelee and her dog, Pickles, prepare for Shabbat one busy Friday afternoon.

With the spiraling structure of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), the book follows the duo from one activity to the next. Leelee and Pickles must clean up the crumbs they dropped while eating challah, which leads to them finding loose change under the couch. They decide to donate the money, but the tzedakah boxes are full, so Leelee empties out a flowerpot to use instead. Onomatopoeic interjections, encouraging a read-aloud experience, are included throughout, beginning with the simple clink of a coin and escalating to the “Pah! Bah-bah! Rah!” of a trombone that Leelee finds when searching for a shoe. This discovery leads, naturally, to a parade through the street, with Leelee and Pickles inviting the neighbors and friends they meet home for dinner. The penultimate spread calms both characters and readers with the sights and sounds of candle-lighting before the Shabbat meal begins. Expressive cartoon illustrations depict a brown-haired, olive-skinned Jewish family enjoying a loving, if hectic, afternoon. A close-up of detritus under the couch and a long shot of a mother putting on earrings in a mostly tidy house convey the dynamism of the scene; Leelee’s curly pigtails bring an enormous energy all their own. Repetition and mounting lists create a propulsive rhythm as sunset grows nearer. Leelee’s community is a diverse one.

Warm and lovely. (author’s note)

Publishers Weekly

Sundown is only a few hours away, and young Leelee and dog Pickles are theoretically helping their family prepare for Shabbat. Animation-style digital artwork by Halberstadt ([em]A Basket Full of Figs[/em]) tells a different story, however. As the pair moves from room to room, they leave a mess in their wake—crumbs from taste-tested challah rolls, and detritus around a newly decorated tzedakah container. But between the time crunch and the anticipation (soon, “there are only ten minutes until candle lighting”), arriving guests—led into the house via procession by Leelee and Pickles—immediately lend a hand. “A cousin adds flavorful food to the table.... Friends dig up extra chairs, plates, and glasses.... Mom watches over the roast and the kugel, and everyone watches the clock,” writes Babay (The Incredible Shrinking Lunchroom). At last, sundown arrives, and with Leelee at her side, Mom strikes a match to light the Shabbat candles, and text wishes “Shabbat Shalom.” While the reason why all the preparations must be completed by sundown is never fully explained, the eager-eyed characters, portrayed with various skin tones, sweetly convey gifts of shared ritual, connection, and gratitude. An author’s note concludes. Ages 5–8.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-357-0

Ages: 5–8
Page count: 32
11 x 81/2

Publication date: April 30, 2024