Amy Meltzer

While Sabbath is often referred to as a “queen,” Rosie channels her obsession with princesses to make sure her family’s Shabbat is worthy of royalty.

Noah can't sleep in his new home when his family moves from an city apartment to a house in the suburbs until they have a Hanukkat Habayit to which their old friends are invited. He realizes the mezuzot they put up connect them to their past, their religion, and the people they know. At the end of the book there is an explanation of what a mezuzah is, how to install one, and the prayer---in Hebrew, transliterated, and in English---to say when attaching it to a doorpost.

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.

Hear an interview with author Amy Meltzer on The Book of Life podcast's March 2008 episode, "The One with the Mezuzahs," at www.bookoflifepodcast.com!