Robot Shabbat

Laura Gehl is the author of nearly two dozen popular picture books, board books, and early readers. Her books include One Big Pair of Underwear (Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, International Literacy Association Honor Book, Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice); the Peep and Egg series (Parents’ Choice Recommendation, Amazon Editors’ Pick, Children’s Choice Book Award Finalist); My Pillow Keeps Moving (Junior Library Guild selection, New York Public Library Best Books of 2018 selection); I Got a Chicken for My Birthday (Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2018 selection); and Baby Astronaut (A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2019 selection). Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Dave Williams has worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in the North West of England for many years. An even mix of graphic design and illustration has provided him with a very good insight into the creative industry. After numerous jobs with advertising agencies, a greeting card retailer, and a company that provided activity packs for children, Dave felt it was time to really concentrate on an area that he was truly passionate about. Creating fun, bright illustration to help tell stories and educate children’s imaginations is what he finds most rewarding about children’s publishing. He lives in Greater Manchester, England.

"Venture into outer space and enjoy the preparations for Shabbat with a young girl and her family on a distant planet. The story is told in short rhyming phrases and repetitive onomatopoeia that will have young readers chiming in with a “Clunk, clunk, clunk” or “Bang, bang, bang” of their own. The setting is reminiscent of “The Jetsons” cartoons, with domed houses on stilts, hovercraft zipping by, and even a robotic friend that the girl assembles. Together, the girl and her bot “vroom” around the house, snipping flowers for the table, stirring soup, and baking bread. Once the candles are lit and the blessings are sung, the pace slows and the sounds quiet from the bang of construction to the tearing of bread. Finally, both the girl and bot snuggle into bed at the end of a busy day. A “Dear Reader” note in the back discusses the meaning of Shabbat and refers to details from the story. VERDICT A fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects." —Suzanne Costner, School Library Journal"Sound and action terms abound in this rhyming Shabbat story. “Clunk,” “bang,” “vroom,” “snip,” are among the words used to depict a girl and her robot getting ready for the exciting, weekly celebration. Gathering flowers, stirring soup, and baking challah are all part of a busy day for the two pals until it’s time to “hush, hush, hush … no more rush.” Welcoming the Sabbath means slowing down, and the evening meal with candle lighting, blessings, and sharing bread is quiet and peaceful. Even the robot powers down at bedtime with eyes closed just like the sleeping child. Playful illustrations match the happy tone of this simple book that is suitable for both Jewish and secular libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries