By
– November 2, 2011
The latest entry into this humorous series about the Shikufitzky family with four children is a winner. The relationships between siblings are real, sometimes respectful to each other, but just as often not. A colorful mix of very short and simple stories is presented in a comic strip format about children’s play at home and in their day-to-day life in school. Charming episodes are included that both manage to put a new spin on everyday life as part of a family and to teach kids about their own foibles in an amusing way. The children I gave it to giggled out loud as I read to them and as they read independently. Stories are color-coded to make it clear that a new story begins when the color of the border changes. The illustrations are boxed comic strip style and are in full color. Children’s names are Hebrew or Yiddish and the illustrations show girls in skirts and boys with kippot, so this book is clearly marketed for Orthodox readers. The reality of the personalities and events will make this an appropriate read also for non-Orthodox children, keeping in mind that there are several Hebrew words used in conversation, such as Succos, Haggada and Shalach Manos. For ages 6 – 10.
Shelly Feit has an M.L.S. and a Sixth-year Specialist’s Certificate in information science. She is the library director and media specialist at the Moriah School in Englewood, NJ.