“Ima says everything grows in its own time.” In this quietly captivating story with pleasing details, the young narrator describes helping Ima make challah for their family’s Shabbat meal. “We split the dough into six parts, roll them out like snakes, and then we braid six strands into each loaf of challah … Just as six days of the week become one Shabbat. Everything from the past week comes to rest.” Finally, clothes are changed, grape juice is poured, and it’s time to sit down for the meal. “We bless the candles. We say kiddush. We say hamotzi. We say, Thank you, Hashem, for so many blessings.” The distinctive mixed-media art features a soft-hued palette punctuated by deep blue (the child’s apron, patterned cloth to cover the rising dough) and bold red (the big enamel pot on the stove, Ima’s dress at dinner). Shown in the art but never directly mentioned in the narrative is the charming story of change amidst tradition and ritual: Ima is visibly pregnant; in the final spread she’s holding a baby, and it’s the child and their father donning aprons to make challah.

An Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Honor Book

A quiet, joyful story celebrating a Jewish mother's tradition of making challah with her child merges a lyrical text with stunning illustrations--and includes the author's favorite recipe.

Melt into the nooks and crannies of this book's unhurried pages, offering a place to rest and a pregnant pause for counting your many blessings--current and imminent! Here, a child and a mother measure, mix, knead, shape, and tuck their dough under a towel like a sleeping baby. Then, as they do every week, they wait while their dough rises, soon to be baked and gratefully shared at a Shabbat gathering with loved ones. Author Sidura Ludwig's poetic narration captures the experience of a Jewish family as they make challah--a lesson in patience, slowing down, faith, and family. Illustrator Sophia Vincent Guy brings light and warmth to the scene, from a sun-bleached, gossamer curtain to the rising steam from the bread, all rendered in delicate, decorative patterns. Whatever their background, readers will be happy to find the author's go-to recipe for challah at the end, along with a glossary and an author's note describing the personal meaning of her family's weekly ritual.