Caryn Yacowitz

The virtues of taking a break, and of being thankful, are extolled in this gentle story of a stubborn ox, an impatient farmer, and a day of rest. Shoshi is accustomed to life on Simon's farm where she helps Simon plow the fields for six days a week and rests on Shabbat. When Simon grows old, he sells the ox to Yohanan, who expects her to work seven days. Shoshi refuses to work on the seventh day, and Yohanan comes to the conclusion that Shoski has the right idea!

Old Juana and Foolish Fernando have very different outcomes in their pumpkin patches and Foolish Fernando tries to take credit for the beautiful crop that Old Juana grew. In the end, she shows him that, with a little hard work, he, too, can have a thriving crop. I think this story is good for being introduced to a foreign language because there are a few words in Spanish. I also think that this is a good example of how consistent hard work will reap rewards AND taking shortcuts isn't as show more productive and dependable.

This is a great book for showing that hard work can pay off. It's a good way to promote study habits versus cramming. show less

Beyond the joy of a Jewish take on this most American of folk songs, the illustrations here offer hilarious parodies of great works of art by da Vinci, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hopper, Rockwell, Matisse, Picasso, and other masters--adding a whole new layer of humor and culture to the familiar tune. You'll love this old lady, and want to visit her every Chanukah for years to come.

When an ox is sold from a Jewish family to a non-Jewish family, it takes the new owner a while to realize why she refuses to work every seventh day, but then he begins to appreciate the day of rest (with his family) too.