Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher

by Laurel Snyder

While waiting for the bus, a man tells Baxter the pig about the joys of Shabbat dinner. But before Baxter can find out how he, too, can join in the fun, the man has boarded the bus. Soon after, Baxter learns that he certainly cannot be a part of Shabbat dinner because he's not Kosher. So begins one pig's misguided quest to become Kosher. Will Baxter succeed or will his dreams of taking part in Shabbat dinner remain unfulfilled? Readers will cheer as a series of misunderstandings leads to a warm message of welcome and community.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Jewish, Religion, Animals, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Laurel Snyder is the author of six children's novels, "Orphan Island," "Seven Stories Up," "Bigger than a Bread Box," "Penny Dreadful," "Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains OR The Search for a Suitable Princess" and "Any Which Wall" (Random House) as well as many picture books, including "Charlie & Mouse," "The Forever Garden," "Swan, the life and dance of Anna Pavlova," and "Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher."

A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a former Michener Fellow, she also writes books for grownups, and is the author of a book of poems, "The Myth of the Simple Machines" (No Tell Books) and a chapbook, "Daphne & Jim: a choose-your-own-adventure biography in verse (Burnside Review Press) and the editor of an anthology, "Half/Life: Jew-ish Tales from Interfaith Homes" (Soft Skull Press).

Though Baltimore will always be her home, she now lives happily in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Joel]

Little Baxter just wants to be cool, and the coolest animals on the farm all all Kosher. Mr. Cow, the Goat Bros. and even the entire Sheep Herd all are part of this exclusive club... and it sounds awesome! But mean Mr. Farmer says Baxter can never be Kosher... pigs just aren't allowed. Baxter thinks that's a load of, well, bull, and soon he and Sammy Bee (who isn't Kosher, even though everyone in the Kosher Klub seems to love saving his puke) are off on an adventure that will teach them the true meaning of belonging... and Jewish dietary law!

[Zomick's Bakery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book mainly intended for children of all ages. All my kids love it we have read it countless times. That's why we decided to offer it as a gift to all youngsters coming at our bakery with every Zomick's challah bread they buy. Even though it doesn't teach the manners of kosher, it is fun to read and kids just love it. - Zomick's Challah

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baxter is a very curious pig. When he encounters a Jewish man at the bus stop, the man tells him all about the wondrous event of Shabbat. The man describes Shabbat in a way that intrigues Baxter. "The candles gleam and glow and dance while our sweetest voices lift in song."

The next day, another man tells Baxter that he cannot be a part of Shabbat dinner because, as a pig, Baxter is not kosher. Well, poor Baxter takes it upon himself to do everything he can to try and be kosher: he eats kosher pickles, he eats kosher challah, and he dresses up like cow.

Then, he meets a lovely lady rabbi who explains to him that he doesn't have to be kosher to come to dinner with her. Fortunately, at the end of this delightful story, Baxter gets to experience the wonder and special time that Shabbat dinner is.

I love how Shabbat is explained in the book and that there is a brief glossary of the Jewish terms used in the book. A great book to read, and a wonderful story to share!

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to chuckle at the cute and silly adventures of Baxter, a pig who worries that he won't be able to join in the holiday festivities of Shabbat because he is not kosher. After numerous attempts to transform himself into the perfect invitee, Baxter learns from a rabbi that kosher refers to food, not friends! While Baxter will never be kosher to eat (something he's greatly relieved to hear), he is more than welcome to the rabbi's home to celebrate the Shabbat with her.

Not only does this book introduce (and define) terms that students may be unfamiliar with, it also gently introduces the idea of animals as friends rather than food.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a First Reads a few months ago, but recently moved and just now unearthed it. It is a really cute children's book with an entertaining yet educational story. The pictures are gorgeous and I enjoy flipping through it. While centered around explaining shabbat, the story would likely be engaging to many different children and is an excellent idea for a book for children that pushes us to be open minded and continue learning.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book about Baxter, a pig who wanted to be kosher. It's a nice story with a nice lesson on the acceptance of everyone/others. I heard about this book from a friend of mine (Vicki) and told the librarian at my son's school when I was there on my volunteer shift in the library, and she told me to order it for her. I definitely recommend this book to read to children.

[Laurel]

This little pig went Oy Oy Oy Oy all the way home...

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An explanation of kosher at a child's level of reading.


My Take
It's cute with a nice introduction for children to the Jewish religion and Shabbat. The means of discussion uses kosher food with poor Baxter as the comic relief not knowing he doesn't want to be kosher.

The illustrations were a mixed lot. Incredibly simple line drawings with a scattering of shadow and no shading mixed with photographs of real food. Interesting combination.


The Story
A chance encounter with an old man finds Baxter wanting to be kosher so he too can enjoy Shabbat. And we follow him as he does everything he can think of to become acceptable. It isn't until he meets Rabbi Rosen that the true meaning of kosher is explained along with an invite to share Shabbat.


The Cover
It's a bland background which really causes Baxter to stand out as he skips down the sidewalk in his denim shorts and blue-checked shirt.

The title is accurate for Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher is trying really hard.

[Victoria]

Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Kosher features a pig, Baxter, who wants to be a part of Shabbat dinner, but is told he can not be because e is not kosher. Baxter tries different things in order to become kosher, such as eating kosher pickles for a week, eating 5 raisin challah, and pretending to be a cow. However, he is repeatedly told that he is still not kosher. It is not until Baxter meets a rabbi that he realizes he is not kosher to eat. The rabbi explains to him that everyone is welcome to Shabbat dinner. This book introduces many Jewish foods, such as kugel and challah. Readers also learn about Shabbat dinner, and how it is celebrated by Jewish people. This book also does a good job of expressing to readers how the Jewish community is accepting and tolerant of those who may be a part of another culture.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this with our three and a half year old and we all enjoyed it. It's a great story about sharing shabbat and the importance of hospitality. There's a bigger lesson here about the relative importance of Kashrut vs celebrating shabbat, but that can go by the wayside for those who are more frum.

Hearing about Shabbat from an old man on the bus, Baxter the pig really wants to participate. But he is told he can't, because he's not kosher. His attempts to become kosher (without realizing kosher means suitable for EATING) are amusing, but of course he is discouraged. Finally a kind lady rabbi understands his problem and invites him to come celebrate shabbat with her.

We gave a copy of this to our Reconstructionist Rabbi when she moved another shul, and another to a conservative friend who has a very strong sense of hospitality and appreciation of humor.

[Jeffrey Yoskowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Jewish children's book. One could offer a meta-analysis of the book as a de-othering of the ultimate "other" in Jewish tradition, the pig, whose goal throughout the book is to be kosher enough to make it to the Shabbat dinner table. Baxter eats kosher dill pickles, challah bread, and more, but he ultimately meets a rabbi in the street and learns that he can be a guest at the Shabbat table, not the main course, and therefore does not need to work so hard, futilely, to be kosher.

It's a really a delightful, fun read. I purchased a copy for my niece for Hanukkah and she asks to read it every night.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous tale of a pig who hears about Shabbat dinner from a man waiting for the bus. The singing and lighting of candles intrigues him. However, for some reason, the nice man tells him that he is not kosher, and therefore cannot be part of Shabbat dinner. So, Baxter the pig eats tons of kosher pickles and 5 loaves of raisin challah bread and tries to become a cow. Nothing works. Until a rabbi finally tells him that although he is a pig, and therefore will never be kosher to eat, he is more than welcome to join her for Shabbat dinner.

[Naomi Kenorak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly book with silly illustrations, but it does a good job of introducing the concept of kosher and the welcoming traditions of sharing the sabbath. Baxter is a pig who wants to participate in Shabbat dinner, but learns that he can't because he's not kosher. He tries to stuff himself with kosher pickles and kosher challah and even pretends to be a cow, but nothing makes him kosher. Then he meets a female rabbi who says that while Baxter will never be kosher to be eaten at Shabbat dinner, he is welcome to come to her house to share Shabbat dinner, which he does.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baxter learns about the Shabbat meal and wants to see the dancing candles, and experience it for himself. He is told he must be kosher and sets out to become Kosher. The steps he takes are hysterical. In the end, he learns that though a pig may never be kosher, that doesn't mean he can't participate. The book was a fun read, with a great message at the end and loved the mixed media illustrations.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baxter, a curious sort of pig, wants to be kosher so he can be a part of Shabbat dinner. He wants to see the candles gleam and glow and dance and lift his sweetest voice in song. After eating kosher pickles, challah bread and behaving like a cow, Rabbi Rosen explains that if Baxter is kosher, that means he can be eaten for dinner, but everyone is welcome at Shabbat dinner.

kosher - shabbat -

[Frieda Vizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this humorous children's book as much as my son did. Baxter the pig goes on a silly quest to become kosher so he can participate in Jewish meals, only to find out in the end that anyone is welcome at a Jewish shabbat table. Silly and fun story. I thought the message of inclusivity was an important one. It was told - with kosher pickles and challah and kugel - like a real geshmake Jewish story.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really the target audience for this book, I don't imagine, but I still enjoyed it. I'm a sucker for any book that combines drawn illustrations with magazine cutouts, but I thought the text was funnier than the art (although the pickle endpapers are fun). I think it'd be neat to study this book with Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, which uses a similar style of art.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with limited knowledge of the Jewish faith, I still found this book HILARIOUS! Baxter is just so dedicated, so earnest to be Kosher so he can go to Shabbat dinner. The story is fun and the illustrations take it to the next level.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, you've got to love the title. The book plays on the confusion between Baxter and the people he meets, while introducing some very fundamental Jewish ideas about hospitality and tradition.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared for weird and ready to toss it because it hasn't checked out in a few years. But this earnest pig won a place in my heart. Quirky, funny, and charming. Highly recommended for ages 5-8.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply adorable. I could see kids enjoying the idea of Baxter trying to become kosher when all he wanted to do was attend a Shabbat celebration. This would be a great story to read alongside picture books about other religious feasts and celebrations.

[Rebecca Einstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A basic, but by no means boring, introduction to the Jewish dietary laws. With a pig as the protagonist. Compelling illustrations and an adorable pig. A winning combination.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun picture book, with a great sense of humor. Is there anything less kosher than a pig? Baxter is nonetheless determined to become kosher and thus qualified to take his place at Sabbath dinner.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's a mitzvah to invite a stranger to dinner and you, my friend, are strange indeed." HA! He is, and is totally adorable to boot. Cute and fun and totally gave me a craving for raisin challah.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny pig who wants to be kosher until he learns what it means.

[Ellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

with a title like this, i HAD to read it. it's cute, but not a good read-aloud - too wordy. glad i read it, though.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story that introduces readers to Shabbat dinner and the meaning of the word kosher. Glossary included!

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the sequel's just as good... Publish it!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hilarious celebration of Shabbat! Really enjoyed this read.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect funny read for pork-obsessed parents in Portland, OR. It made me smile, while having a cute message about inclusion and togetherness.