Listen Sh'ma

Rabbi Alyson Solomon is the author of Thank You, Modeh Ani. She is passionate about Judaism as a vibrant wisdom tradition and believes that spirituality is about asking questions that matter and then living courageously. Ordained by Hebrew College in Boston, she is a coach, yoga instructor, and change-management consultant.  She lives in Eugene, Oregon. Bryony Clarkson also illustrated Thank You, Modeh Ani. She is a collage artist and illustrator from Oxford, UK. She graduated from the Royal College of Art, London, with a degree in textile design and worked as a print and embroidery designer before turning her focus to illustration. She lives in Oxford, UK.

Author Alyson Solomon and illustrator Bryony Clarkson, thesame team who created Thank You: Modeh Ani, are back with the equallylovely picture book Listen: Sh'ma. The cover with its sweet sleepyheadstucked into beds against a starry sky (continued on the end papers) lets usknow that this is a bedtime story. A note in the front tells us that sh'mameans "listen" in Hebrew and the book is inspired by the Jewishprayer about oneness and love, traditionally said before going to sleep (aswell as in the morning and on other occasions).The book breaks down the word sh'ma into its individual soothing sounds andrelates them to a young child's comforting bedtime routine: a warm bath, freshjammies, cuddles, and many more moments of calm and contentment. The variousfamilies' collective voices send prayers and songs for peace and love out intothe night and the universe.The simple, yet lyrical, text is appropriate for the youngest readers. Thebrightly-colored and appealing art, a combination of cut-paper collage,acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencil, complement the text well. If youlook closely, you will see that the illustrator also breaks down the word sh'mainto its individual letters—shin, mem, ayin—and floats them on the pages. Thebook includes characters of different skin tones, ethnicities, abilities, andages.In the back matter, the author—a rabbi—offers an interpretation of the prayer'smeaning and an understanding that its meaning might evolve as we do. Sheexplains that the sounds of the world around us are echoed in the word sh'ma.We just need to listen closely. The book concludes with a literal translationof the prayer.Jewish content is an integral part of this story, as the Jewish prayer"Sh'ma Israel" forms the core of this book. The author has done anexcellent job of tying together family bedtime rituals with the sounds andmeaning of this prayer. Since this book is written in an uncomplicated, clearmanner and provides reader-friendly explanation in the back matter, it isaccessible to non-Jewish readers, although Jewish readers will have aparticular interest in Listen: Sh'ma. This book will be a welcome additionto a Jewish preschool classroom, synagogue collection, or a home library.—Belinda Brock, The Sydney Taylor ShmoozeThe sh’ma is the foundational prayer of the Jewish people. It is the first prayer a child learns because it embodies the love and emotional attachment to G-d by every Jew on his own level. It is as accessible to the young child as it is to the adult. We are commanded to teach it to our children every day when we "lie down and rise up" so that it becomes a constant reminder of the absolute unity of G-d in our religion.Rabbi Alyson Solomon cleverly introduces the sh’ma to children in her latest picture book, Listen Sh’ma. "Sh’ma" literally means "listen" or "hear." Solomon stretches out the sounds of the sh’ma and links them to the sounds and feelings of familiar bedtime rituals. The first syllable "shhh" shows children over several pages splashing in a warm bath, zipping into fresh jammies, enjoying bedtime stories, and warm milk. "Mmmm" is the sound of belly breaths and hugs right before sleep. "Ahhh" is the "sound of smiling joyfully, in bed at last" and "stretching long legs under cozy covers." Solomon invites the lap sit reader to both hear and feel this important prayer that has implicit in it "the sound of singing songs of love and prayers for peace."The beautiful illustrations by Bryony Clarkson were created using a combination of cut paper collage, acrylic and watercolor paint, and color pencil. They perfectly complement the author’s message of calm, joy and love. The characters in each spread represent a cultural mix of humanity (including an adult in a wheelchair) that underscores the universality of the sh’ma.Listen, Sh’ma can be paired with Rabbi Solomon’s previous picture book, Thank You: Modeh Ani. Both are essential purchases for all homes with young children and school and synagogue libraries.—Association of Jewish LibrariesThe Sh'ma is one of the oldest and most foundational prayers of the Jewish religion. It implores us to listen. "Listen Sh'ma" by author Rabbi Alyson Solomon and artist/illustrator Bryony Clarkson provides a gentle introduction for young Jewish children to help them sound out the very beginning of the prayer and to begin to glimpse its meaning. By slowing down the first word (shhh, mmm, ahhh) this quiet picture book helps them hear the sounds of the world around us and within us.Ideal as a bedtime read, "Listen Sh'ma" from Apples & Honey Press is a very highly recommended and enduringly popular pick for Jewish families, daycare centers, preschool, and community library bed-time picture book collections for children ages 2-4.—Midwest Book Review