Much, Much Better

by Chaim Kosofsky

Book Overview

Shlomo and his wife, Miriam, live in a bright, tidy house in the ancient city of Baghdad. The couple s greatest joy is welcoming guests for Shabbat. But one week, there isn t a single poor or lonely... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1929628439
• ISBN13: 9781929628438
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Hachai Publishing
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Much Much Better

Each week Miriam and Shlomo welcome guests to their home for Shabbat, but this week none can be found. They search and wait until an old man finally appears at their door. At the end of the Shabbat meal, their guest offers a blessing to make their home "much, much better," suggesting a stained tablecloth, books out of place, and crumbs on the floor! After many months, Miriam and Shlomo have a baby boy. One Friday afternoon, as baby Yitzchak learns to crawl, he pulls on the Shabbat tablecloth spilling the wine, tugs a siddur off the bookshelf and eats some of the warm, soft bread. At that moment, the same mysterious old man comes to join them for Shabbat, and he sees that his blessing has come true. Miriam and Shlomo acknowledge that their home is much, much better with Yitzchak in it, who will one day welcome guests of his own to the Shabbat table. This story takes place in ancient Baghdad, and the illustrations in the book depict the Sephardic setting, with head coverings on the characters, ornately decorated windows and homes decorated with bright rugs and tapestries. Even the bread is flat and round. The author helps readers further understand by providing a glossary of terms for Hebrew words used in the book. This adaptation of folklore about Eliyahu HaNavi teaches that inviting others into your home enriches your life and theirs--whether it's a Shabbat guest or a new baby in your family. Ages 4-8. Reviewed by Rachel Rosner

A 2007 Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Younger Readers

Each week Shlomo and Miriam tidy up their house and prepare for Shabbat. When a strange guest visits, he is so appreciative of their hospitality that he offers them a blessing: "May Hashem bless you and make your home much, much better . . . with a sticky, stained tablecloth . . . with your books out of place . . . with crumbs scattered on the floor." It is not until Shlomo and Miriam welcome the birth of their baby boy - who spills the kiddish wine on the tablecloth, pulls books off the shelves, and leaves challah crumbs on the floor - do they fully understand the visitor's blessing and his true identity as Eliyahu Hanavi. The playful, colorful illustrations and decorative page borders reflect the Sephardic flavor of the story and a glossary of Hebrew terms and a note to the reader is included.

An upbeat and soulful classical tale, warmly illustrated with soft-hued artwork.

Written by Chaim Kosofsky and illustrated by Jessica Schiffman, Much, Much Better is a picturebook adaptation of a classic Shabbat tale of Eliyahu Hanavi, from Jewish lore. Set long ago in the city of Baghdad, Much, Much Better tells of a married couple whose joy is to welcome guests for Shabbat. But when they can find no other poor or lonely guests to invite, a mysterious traveler comes, and they treat him like royalty. The traveler departs with a most unusual blessing - one destined to bring a squirming bundle of happiness to their home life so they are never lonely again! An upbeat and soulful classical tale, warmly illustrated with soft-hued artwork.