{"id":1044689089,"title":"Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons","handle":"rabbi-benjamins-buttons","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Alice B. McGinty\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/alice-b-mcginty\"\u003eAlice B. McGinty\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Jennifer Black Reinhardt\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jennifer-black-reinhardt\"\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"A happy congregation is the sunshine of my heart.\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin loves his congregation, and they love him. That's why on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the Rabbi's congregation presents him with a special holiday vest with four silver buttons and decorated with designs symbolizing the major holidays celebrated throughout the year. Rabbi Benjamin loves it! He also loves all the holiday treats that his families proudly fill him with-including delicious, crispy latkes; scrumptious matzoh-ball soup; irresistible apple torte; and honey cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the year passes, Rabbi Benjamin's beautiful vest stretches tighter and tighter across his belly, and one by one the shiny silver buttons\u003cem\u003e pop!-pop!-pop!\u003c\/em\u003e off. When summer comes, Rabbi helps his congregation with their gardening, with the hiding of Chanukah presents, with the apple picking, and the fishing. Will all this hard work help Rabbi fit into his beautiful vest when Rosh Hashanah rolls around again?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA charming tale of the joys of community and celebration, with a subtle message of enjoying in moderation and staying healthy. An easy way to keep fit: lend a helping hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt's deliciously sweet illustrations highlight the humor and love that this close-knit congregation shares. Back matter includes traditional holiday recipes and a glossary of terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/a-moon-for-moe-and-mo\"\u003eA Moon for Moe and Mo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Ugly Vegetables\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/ugly-vegetables\"\u003eThe Ugly Vegetables\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamin_s-buttons-spread.jpg?14125944066528588034\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlice B. McGinty, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice B. McGinty is the award-winning author of more than forty books for children. She is a writer, reader, writing coach and instructor, book reviewer, and mom. Alice has led music sessions for religious school and has taught prekindergarten classes in her synagogue for many years. Alice lives in Urbana, Illinois.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Alice B. McGinty\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/alice-b-mcginty\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Alice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Jennifer Black Reinhardt was in elementary school, she wanted to draw the pictures on greeting cards when she grew up. She went on to do that and more—she has an illustration degree from Carnegie Mellon University and is the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eThe Adventures of a South Pole Pig\u003c\/em\u003e. Jennifer lives in Iowa City, Iowa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Jennifer Black Reinhardt\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jennifer-black-reinhardt\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jennifer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSydney Taylor Book Award Notable, Young Readers Category\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelaware Diamonds reading list\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin and his congregation are besotted with one another, but when the community presents its leader with a yellow-gold vest to wear on holidays, decorated with four shiny silver buttons, they neglect to factor in one thing: Jewish holidays mean lots of irresistible, calorie- and emotion-laden Jewish cooking. As the rabbi grows increasingly portly at various dinners, it’s clear to both him and his attentive dog that the vest and its silver buttons are not engineered to expand. Oy-yoy-yoy! You don’t have to be Jewish to love this marvelously funny, wholly original story about the intersection of faith, food, and families—in fact, it’s got a wrap-up that Michelle Obama would applaud: Rabbi Benjamin discovers that a regimen of community-centered exercise (like helping one family plant a Sukkot garden) can work wonders. McGinty’s (\u003cem\u003eGandhi: A March to the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e) loving, lighthearted prose is as sunshiny as her characters, while Reinhardt’s (\u003cem\u003eThe Adventures of a South Pole Pig\u003c\/em\u003e) detailed watercolors depict a diverse congregation brimming with endearing idiosyncrasies and mutual affection—a real \u003cem\u003emishpochah\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin has a loving relationship with his congregants, who present him with a holiday vest one Rosh Hashanah as a token of their esteem. During Sukkot, Chanukah, and Passover, he overindulges in the treats cooked up by his friends. One by one, his buttons pop off as his stomach expands. Instead of despairing, the man spends the summer helping his friends with tasks that give him a good workout, and by the following Rosh Hashanah, he is pleased to accept a wonderful new vest (with the retrieved buttons) to replace the stretched and battered old one. A number of positive themes run through this story: community, hospitality, health, problem solving. Diversity is celebrated in the cheerful watercolor and ink illustrations, which include mixed-race and single-parent families in the congregation, as well as a dad flouting traditional gender roles as he cooks and takes care of his baby. These holidays provide a framework for the story but are not the focus. The many universal themes are more central to the book than the Jewish content and make it appropriate for general audiences. The four recipes (one for each holiday) will also appeal across cultures. A pleasant story that can be used year-round as a celebration of Jewish heritage, the love of community, and the importance of eating right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Association of Jewish Libraries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a token of their love for Rabbi Benjamin, his Walnut Street congregants give him a yellow vest embroidered with a menorah, lulav branches, and torah scrolls. Four shiny silver buttons down its front complete the rabbi's new multi-holiday look. Over the course of the year, as Rabbi Benjamin liberally samples Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Passover foods, his belly expands. Eventually, the vest fabric stretches so much that each silver button pops off. Lacking basic sewing skills, the portly rabbi uses a safety pin, \u003cem\u003etallit\u003c\/em\u003e clips, string, and staples in a makeshift attempt to replace the stray buttons. Over the summer, Rabbi Benjamin loses the extra weight by planting a garden, hiding Hanukkah presents, fishing for carp, and harvesting apples. The now baggy vest still doesn't fit, but the story's sweet ending is tailor-made to bring a smile to every food-loving fashionista. Reinhardt's illustrations of the bearded rabbi, who favors not only cheery vests but also high-water black pants, are done in watercolor and ink. The book includes a one-page glossary of Judaic terms and recipes for honey cake, fruit strudel, latkes, and matzo ball soup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A happy congregation is the sunshine of my heart,\" proclaims Rabbi Benjamin. The love-fest goes both ways, and his congregants at the Walnut Street synagogue present him with a Jewish holiday-themed vest on Rosh Hashanah. After blowing the shofar, it's time to eat: homemade apple torte, honey cake, and more, \"until his holiday vest stretched tightly across his belly.\" A couple of weeks pass; now it's Sukkot, and as Rabbi Benjamin feasts at each family's sukkah, all of that stuffed cabbage, sweet-potato pie, and fruit strudel cause him to quite literally burst one of his buttons--\"\u003cem\u003epop!\u003c\/em\u003e\" With first Hanukkah, then Passover still to come, the rest of those buttons don't stand a chance. \"\u003cem\u003eOy-yoy-yoy\u003c\/em\u003e...I've ruined my special holiday vest!\" laments the rabbi as the last buttons fly off during the Goldwassers' Seder (one button lands in the horseradish, the other in the prophet Elijah's cup). A little physical activity throughout the summer and fall brings back his waistline...but what about his special present?\u003cem\u003e Nisht gedeyget\u003c\/em\u003e [don't worry]! When Rosh Hashanah rolls around again, the congregants have a little something up their sleeve. There's much joy in this cheery holiday book, from the spry text's kid-pleasing sound effects (\u003cem\u003epop! splat! plop! splish-splash!\u003c\/em\u003e), to casually presented but informative details about each holiday, to the matter-of-fact depiction of a range of Jewish families in the detail-filled watercolor and ink illustrations, to that bright-yellow, menorah-festooned vest--which is ugly in the way that all good holiday garments are. Back matter includes information about and recipes for each holiday and a glossary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA grateful congregation presents their beloved Rabbi Benjamin with a special holiday vest containing four silver buttons. He proudly wears the garment for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Passover, although the vest gradually becomes a bit soiled and quite tight as he overindulges in holiday foods, resulting in buttons popping off at inopportune times. Embarrassed, Benjamin spends the summer and early fall hard at work for his families—planting, picking, sweating, and fishing. By New Year’s, the vest again fits, but without the buttons it’s not quite the same. Luckily the congregation is one step ahead with a brand new vest. Reinhardt’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations are well suited to this sunny, slyly humorous text: at each holiday, families ply the rabbi with delectable goodies, and buttons always pop into the festive foods. Concluded with recipes and a glossary, this makes a good introduction to the cycle of Jewish holidays. (The gentle caution about overeating is a bonus.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cvr.jpg?14125944066528588034\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-hires.zip?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-educators-guide.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Educators Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-chanukah-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Chanukah Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-passover-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Passover Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-rosh-hashanah-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Rosh Hashanah Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-sukkot-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Sukkot Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-432-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-433-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-747-7 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-632-6 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 9 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 2. Standards 1-7 and 10.\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 3. Standards 1-7 and 10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-06-01T11:55:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-06-01T11:22:16-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Food \u0026 Nutrition","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Humor","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play","judaica"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":898,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":1795,"compare_at_price_min":1795,"compare_at_price_max":1795,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":3229337665,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"94326","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":898,"weight":448,"compare_at_price":1795,"inventory_quantity":25,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"978-1-58089-432-6","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":27814848135,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"94333","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":181,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":300,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-433-3","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cover.jpg?v=1586801601"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cover.jpg?v=1586801601","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons book cover","id":2481921425487,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.101,"height":545,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cover.jpg?v=1586801601"},"aspect_ratio":1.101,"height":545,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cover.jpg?v=1586801601","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Alice B. McGinty\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/alice-b-mcginty\"\u003eAlice B. McGinty\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Jennifer Black Reinhardt\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jennifer-black-reinhardt\"\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"A happy congregation is the sunshine of my heart.\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin loves his congregation, and they love him. That's why on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the Rabbi's congregation presents him with a special holiday vest with four silver buttons and decorated with designs symbolizing the major holidays celebrated throughout the year. Rabbi Benjamin loves it! He also loves all the holiday treats that his families proudly fill him with-including delicious, crispy latkes; scrumptious matzoh-ball soup; irresistible apple torte; and honey cake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the year passes, Rabbi Benjamin's beautiful vest stretches tighter and tighter across his belly, and one by one the shiny silver buttons\u003cem\u003e pop!-pop!-pop!\u003c\/em\u003e off. When summer comes, Rabbi helps his congregation with their gardening, with the hiding of Chanukah presents, with the apple picking, and the fishing. Will all this hard work help Rabbi fit into his beautiful vest when Rosh Hashanah rolls around again?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA charming tale of the joys of community and celebration, with a subtle message of enjoying in moderation and staying healthy. An easy way to keep fit: lend a helping hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt's deliciously sweet illustrations highlight the humor and love that this close-knit congregation shares. Back matter includes traditional holiday recipes and a glossary of terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/a-moon-for-moe-and-mo\"\u003eA Moon for Moe and Mo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"The Ugly Vegetables\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/ugly-vegetables\"\u003eThe Ugly Vegetables\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamin_s-buttons-spread.jpg?14125944066528588034\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlice B. McGinty, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice B. McGinty is the award-winning author of more than forty books for children. She is a writer, reader, writing coach and instructor, book reviewer, and mom. Alice has led music sessions for religious school and has taught prekindergarten classes in her synagogue for many years. Alice lives in Urbana, Illinois.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Alice B. McGinty\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/alice-b-mcginty\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Alice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJennifer Black Reinhardt, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Jennifer Black Reinhardt was in elementary school, she wanted to draw the pictures on greeting cards when she grew up. She went on to do that and more—she has an illustration degree from Carnegie Mellon University and is the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eThe Adventures of a South Pole Pig\u003c\/em\u003e. Jennifer lives in Iowa City, Iowa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Jennifer Black Reinhardt\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/jennifer-black-reinhardt\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Jennifer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSydney Taylor Book Award Notable, Young Readers Category\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDelaware Diamonds reading list\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?18127980511287865543\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin and his congregation are besotted with one another, but when the community presents its leader with a yellow-gold vest to wear on holidays, decorated with four shiny silver buttons, they neglect to factor in one thing: Jewish holidays mean lots of irresistible, calorie- and emotion-laden Jewish cooking. As the rabbi grows increasingly portly at various dinners, it’s clear to both him and his attentive dog that the vest and its silver buttons are not engineered to expand. Oy-yoy-yoy! You don’t have to be Jewish to love this marvelously funny, wholly original story about the intersection of faith, food, and families—in fact, it’s got a wrap-up that Michelle Obama would applaud: Rabbi Benjamin discovers that a regimen of community-centered exercise (like helping one family plant a Sukkot garden) can work wonders. McGinty’s (\u003cem\u003eGandhi: A March to the Sea\u003c\/em\u003e) loving, lighthearted prose is as sunshiny as her characters, while Reinhardt’s (\u003cem\u003eThe Adventures of a South Pole Pig\u003c\/em\u003e) detailed watercolors depict a diverse congregation brimming with endearing idiosyncrasies and mutual affection—a real \u003cem\u003emishpochah\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRabbi Benjamin has a loving relationship with his congregants, who present him with a holiday vest one Rosh Hashanah as a token of their esteem. During Sukkot, Chanukah, and Passover, he overindulges in the treats cooked up by his friends. One by one, his buttons pop off as his stomach expands. Instead of despairing, the man spends the summer helping his friends with tasks that give him a good workout, and by the following Rosh Hashanah, he is pleased to accept a wonderful new vest (with the retrieved buttons) to replace the stretched and battered old one. A number of positive themes run through this story: community, hospitality, health, problem solving. Diversity is celebrated in the cheerful watercolor and ink illustrations, which include mixed-race and single-parent families in the congregation, as well as a dad flouting traditional gender roles as he cooks and takes care of his baby. These holidays provide a framework for the story but are not the focus. The many universal themes are more central to the book than the Jewish content and make it appropriate for general audiences. The four recipes (one for each holiday) will also appeal across cultures. A pleasant story that can be used year-round as a celebration of Jewish heritage, the love of community, and the importance of eating right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Association of Jewish Libraries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a token of their love for Rabbi Benjamin, his Walnut Street congregants give him a yellow vest embroidered with a menorah, lulav branches, and torah scrolls. Four shiny silver buttons down its front complete the rabbi's new multi-holiday look. Over the course of the year, as Rabbi Benjamin liberally samples Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Passover foods, his belly expands. Eventually, the vest fabric stretches so much that each silver button pops off. Lacking basic sewing skills, the portly rabbi uses a safety pin, \u003cem\u003etallit\u003c\/em\u003e clips, string, and staples in a makeshift attempt to replace the stray buttons. Over the summer, Rabbi Benjamin loses the extra weight by planting a garden, hiding Hanukkah presents, fishing for carp, and harvesting apples. The now baggy vest still doesn't fit, but the story's sweet ending is tailor-made to bring a smile to every food-loving fashionista. Reinhardt's illustrations of the bearded rabbi, who favors not only cheery vests but also high-water black pants, are done in watercolor and ink. The book includes a one-page glossary of Judaic terms and recipes for honey cake, fruit strudel, latkes, and matzo ball soup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Horn Book Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A happy congregation is the sunshine of my heart,\" proclaims Rabbi Benjamin. The love-fest goes both ways, and his congregants at the Walnut Street synagogue present him with a Jewish holiday-themed vest on Rosh Hashanah. After blowing the shofar, it's time to eat: homemade apple torte, honey cake, and more, \"until his holiday vest stretched tightly across his belly.\" A couple of weeks pass; now it's Sukkot, and as Rabbi Benjamin feasts at each family's sukkah, all of that stuffed cabbage, sweet-potato pie, and fruit strudel cause him to quite literally burst one of his buttons--\"\u003cem\u003epop!\u003c\/em\u003e\" With first Hanukkah, then Passover still to come, the rest of those buttons don't stand a chance. \"\u003cem\u003eOy-yoy-yoy\u003c\/em\u003e...I've ruined my special holiday vest!\" laments the rabbi as the last buttons fly off during the Goldwassers' Seder (one button lands in the horseradish, the other in the prophet Elijah's cup). A little physical activity throughout the summer and fall brings back his waistline...but what about his special present?\u003cem\u003e Nisht gedeyget\u003c\/em\u003e [don't worry]! When Rosh Hashanah rolls around again, the congregants have a little something up their sleeve. There's much joy in this cheery holiday book, from the spry text's kid-pleasing sound effects (\u003cem\u003epop! splat! plop! splish-splash!\u003c\/em\u003e), to casually presented but informative details about each holiday, to the matter-of-fact depiction of a range of Jewish families in the detail-filled watercolor and ink illustrations, to that bright-yellow, menorah-festooned vest--which is ugly in the way that all good holiday garments are. Back matter includes information about and recipes for each holiday and a glossary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA grateful congregation presents their beloved Rabbi Benjamin with a special holiday vest containing four silver buttons. He proudly wears the garment for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Passover, although the vest gradually becomes a bit soiled and quite tight as he overindulges in holiday foods, resulting in buttons popping off at inopportune times. Embarrassed, Benjamin spends the summer and early fall hard at work for his families—planting, picking, sweating, and fishing. By New Year’s, the vest again fits, but without the buttons it’s not quite the same. Luckily the congregation is one step ahead with a brand new vest. Reinhardt’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations are well suited to this sunny, slyly humorous text: at each holiday, families ply the rabbi with delectable goodies, and buttons always pop into the festive foods. Concluded with recipes and a glossary, this makes a good introduction to the cycle of Jewish holidays. (The gentle caution about overeating is a bonus.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-cvr.jpg?14125944066528588034\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-hires.zip?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-educators-guide.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Educators Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-chanukah-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Chanukah Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-passover-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Passover Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-rosh-hashanah-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Rosh Hashanah Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/rabbi-benjamins-buttons-sukkot-recipe.pdf?14125944066528588034\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eTry a Sukkot Recipe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-432-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-433-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-747-7 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-632-6 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 9 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 2. Standards 1-7 and 10.\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 3. Standards 1-7 and 10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}