The Shabbat Princess

by Amy Meltzer, Martha Graciela Avilés (Illustrator)

Rosie likes queens, but she really loves princesses! One Shabbat eve, she persuades her parents to invite the Shabbat Princess to their home. As the family prepares for their royal visitor, they are reminded that adding beauty to a mitzvah only increases its worth.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Religion

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Rosie likes queens, but she really loves princesses! One Shabbat eve, she persuades her parents to invite the Shabbat Princess to their home.

This cute, light story exploring a Jewish tradition is geared toward children aged 3-8. It has an overview of what is involved in putting on a Shabbat feast, but the princess angle is definitely for the benefit of younger readers. The pastel watercolor illustrations are very nice.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl decides to play with the traditional Shabbat dinner and pretend to be a Shabbat princess (instead of queen). As she and her family fancy-up the table for the meal, they reference various objects that are important to their traditions. Watercolor illustrations in pastel tones enhance the text.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depicts the fun of dressing up for shabbat dinner.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

fair. kinda fun. I like that it embraces Hiddur Mitzvah, but also I don't like that it draws away from the Shabbos Queen herself, who wraps us in her cloak like a shelter of peace.

[Shelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless you are already familiar with this Jewish custom (which I am not) than you will not learn anything new from this book. A brief forward or afterward talking a bit more about this celebration would have made this book better.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shabbat Princess is a beautifully drawn picture book for ages 3-8 with main character Rosie becoming the shabbat princess. Some reviews have criticized the lack of background about the Shabbat, so I would recommend a companion book be read with this one to teach about the Shabbat.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Shabbat is a Queen, whose arrival changes the humblest home into a palace" ~Talmud, Shabbat, 199a

A little girl wants to make Shabbat dinner a little fancier once she decides she is the Shabbat Princess.

[Janiece Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the books illustrations the most. Other than that I thought it was an okay book that a young girl would enjoy.

[Tiffiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought my daughter might like this as she's half Jewish and loves princesses. And she loved it. We've read it over and over and over... Sweet story and beautiful illustrations!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Could definitely be used in discussing practices of faith with young children.