Goodnight Bubbala

by Sheryl Haft, Jill Weber (Illustrator), Ina Garten (Contribution by)

Overview

This festive parody reimagines a classic bedtime book as a lively Jewish family gathering complete with bubbies and zeydes—a perfect gift or read aloud that includes an exclusive latke recipe by Ina Garten, TV’s Barefoot Contessa!
 
In the small blue room there was a bubbala, and a little shmatta,
and then—oy vey!—came the whole mishpacha!
 
This zesty parody of one of America's favorite picture books offers a very different bedtime routine: one that is full of family exuberance and love. Instead of whispers of “hush,” this bedtime includes dancing and kvelling, and of course, noshing—because this little bunny is a Jewish bunny, and this joyous book celebrates the Jewish values of cherishing your loved ones, expressing gratitude, and being generous.
 
Filled with Yiddish words, the book includes a phonetic glossary and even an easy latke recipe by beloved cookbook author Ina Garten, who calls the book “brilliant, beautiful, important, and so much fun!”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525554776
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	98,982
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	NP (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Sheryl Haft is the founder of Kids Engineer!, an elementary after school program that teaches engineering principles through design and invention. She is also a teacher volunteer with pARTners Jackson Hole, a program that inspires a passion for the arts through K-12 education. The author of Baby Boo, I Love You and the upcoming Amazing Mazie McGear, Kid Engineer, Sheryl, her husband, and their daughters divide their time between New York City and Wilson, Wyoming.

Jill Weber has illustrated and designed many children's books, including the Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner The Story of Passover by David Adler and the New York Times Bestseller The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon. When she isn't illustrating, she can be found in her garden. She and her husband live in New Hampshire with various pets.

Editorial Reviews

10/07/2019

“In the small blue room/ There was a bubbala” begins this parody of Margaret Wise Brown’s classic; here, the narration is Yiddish-inflected and the young rabbit’s bedtime room becomes anything but quiet. In fact, “the whole mishpacha” drops by to boisterously celebrate Hanukkah (a menorah in the window indicates the eighth night) and make a big fuss over their youngest member (“Such a shayna punim!”). The room accommodates neither hush nor mush, but a very extended family (“two little bubbies schlepping their hubbies”) and some serious noshing: on latkes “so good I could plotz!” and “one dozen bagels/ And a pot of kneidels.” As dreidel spinning and song slowly wind down, the revelers (and one yarmulke-wearing mouse) make it clear that this bubbala is part of a lively, affectionate family—and very loved, indeed. Haft and Weber include a glossary of Yiddish words and a latke recipe by Ina Garten. Ages 2–5. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

2019-07-28
If Margaret Wise Brown were Jewish with a family that emigrated from Anatevka....

The subtitle aptly describes this latest lampoon of the classic bedtime story. In this outing, the bunny's bedroom is invaded by a horde of relatives of all ages bearing food and gifts for Hanukkah. They speak in favorite Yiddish-laced phrases such as "A kiss on the keppelah!" and they cook up matzah ball soup and smear cream cheese on bagels. There's some dancing and singing and "noshing on latkes." In a possible children's-book first, one of the couplets rhymes "bubbies" with "hubbies." Oddly for a Hanukkah celebration, there is no recitation of the blessings on the lit menorah candles. A glossary of the Yiddish phrases is helpful. Most useful, actually, is a recipe from the popular cookbook author and TV cooking show host Ina Garten for potato pancakes. She uses butter, so no mixing these treats with the brisket. Adults may get a laugh or two from the text or, more likely, a faint glimmer of nostalgia. The bright colors do pay homage to the original book, although many of the spreads are overly busy with bunnies.

One reading will more than suffice for this knockoff. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews