Description:
Rafael and his cousins work together to shop in Istanbul's marketplace for their family's Rosh Hashanah celebration.
Brief description: Etan Basseri was born and raised in Berkeley, California with a mix of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish customs. He now lives in Seattle with his wife and children. A Turkish Rosh Hashanah is his second book. His critically acclaimed first book, A Persian Passover, was an Association of Jewish Libraries Holiday Highlights suggested title.
Review Quotes: Journey to Istanbul with Rafael, his two younger cousins, and grandmother as they shop in the open-air market to prepare for Rosh Hashanah. Teamwork helps the cousins stand up to bullies and fend off a gathering of cats as they buy the best pomegranate, leeks, and whole fish needed for their traditional celebration. As the family gathers for their holiday meal, they enjoy their special foods as "yehi ratzones," symbolic foods. For example, leeks represent friends to protect us and dates, peace. Interspersed Ladino words with close-up illustrations of the market and shoppers in traditional dress bring us into the culture of this community. Cheery digital art, characters of diverse skin tones representative of the Sephardi community, back matter about the history and current experience of Jewish life in Turkey and a Ladino/English glossary enhance this book. Of particular note, a line from Song of Songs (6:7) is highlighted in the story and translated in the back matter with expanded information. This selection is perfect to enhance activities focusing on Jewish life around the world today. A worthwhile choice for family reading time and Jewish children's book collections.--Suzanne Grossman, Children's Book Committee, Bank Street College "Association of Jewish Libraries / News and Reviews"