Robot Shabbat

"A fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects." —School Library Journal

An introduction to the traditions of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, with a Jetsons twist!

In preparation for the weekly Sabbath dinner and celebration, a young girl builds a robot from household junk. The girl and robot become quick friends, vrooming around the space colony, baking challah, making matzah ball soup and getting ready to celebrate with family. Together, the girl and robot light the Shabbat candles and sing the blessings. A science fiction Shabbat, told in fun rhyme with an emphasis on noticing sounds.

An author's note explaining Shabbat makes this a fun-filled introduction to this important Jewish ritual.

Venture into outer space and enjoy the preparations for Shabbat with a young girl and her family on a distant planet. The story is told in short rhyming phrases and repetitive onomatopoeia that will have young readers chiming in with a “Clunk, clunk, clunk” or “Bang, bang, bang” of their own. The setting is reminiscent of “The Jetsons” cartoons, with domed houses on stilts, hovercraft zipping by, and even a robotic friend that the girl assembles. Together, the girl and her bot “vroom” around the house, snipping flowers for the table, stirring soup, and baking bread. Once the candles are lit and the blessings are sung, the pace slows and the sounds quiet from the bang of construction to the tearing of bread. Finally, both the girl and bot snuggle into bed at the end of a busy day. A “Dear Reader” note in the back discusses the meaning of Shabbat and refers to details from the story. VERDICT A fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects. —Suzanne Costner, School Library Journal