Surie Fettman

I like that the ISBN has 613 in it twice! The objects assigned to the numbers work: the number of candles, five, is how many are in the family; the number of plates, six, allows for a guest. Two young children set the Shabbos table by themselves. The prayer for candles is given in Hebrew, without G-d's names spelled out, and transliterated; there is no English translation. The glossary defines five terms: Bentchers, Challos, Hashem, Kiddush, and Shabbos. The book ends with all each number on a line with that number of objects, as shown in the story. The only quibble I have is that the cover of the book has numbers for three things and, in fact, there are not three candles or candlesticks, but five; the number three is assigned to bentchers. But the story is straightforward and charming and lacks the heavy-handed moral that some children's books have. It is meant for observant families. The large print makes me think it is meant to be read by children and not just to them.… (mais)