Do Not Eat This Book!: Fun with Jewish Foods & Festivals

Do Not Eat This Book: Fun With Jewish Foods & Festivals is a great introductory look at the Jewish culture. This book shows that taking little steps to further understand and become knowledgeable about one’s observances can ensure a true and special love for the beauty of holidays and all that they stand for.

Included is a glossary and an activity for each of the holidays presented. The crafts and recipes will help children (and adults) appreciate Judaism and its holidays in an easy engagement sort of way.

I feel like I would have loved more information on these holidays in the actual story part of the book, instead of with the recipes. That being said, the author does include additional info and this opens doors for further conversation as a family.

The illustrations are colorful and fun, very cartoony. I loved how the artist included an image of Do Not Eat This Book in one of the images. My children got a huge kick out of that.

This is a wonderful first look at Jewish foods and traditions that will pave the way for further exploration.

“Do Not Eat This Book!: Fun With Jewish Foods and Festivals” by Beth Kander, illustrated by Mike Moran, is a cute book that shares brief rhymes about a variety of Jewish holidays, followed up by a glossary and an activity for each of the holidays presented. From Tu B'Shevat to Purim, Chanukah, Shavuot, Passover, and Shabbat, there are so many holidays with which to connect. The crafts and recipes included will only serve to instill more of an appreciation of Judaism and its holidays into those who read the book and engage with it.

Every holiday is important, no matter the religion it comes from, the person who is celebrating it, or the level of observance. This book shows that taking little steps to further understand and become knowledgeable about one’s observances can ensure a true and special love for the beauty of holidays and all that they stand for. The added detail about each holiday and the colorful illustrations throughout the book and those attached to each craft or recipe heighten the feeling of togetherness and enjoyment that the book does its best to promote.