nikkigee81's review
4.0
1. Culture or group portrayed: Jews.
2. Book information: Davis, A. (1995). Bone Button Borscht. New York: Kids Can Press, Ltd.
3. Summary: On a cold winter’s night, a traveling beggar has every door shut in his face. He finds a synagogue, where there is a warm inviting fire, and begins to pop the buttons off his coat. He tells the shamas, or caretaker, that he can make a delicious borscht (vegetable soup) for the whole town, if only he had one more button. Everyone thinks this is ludicrous, of course, for who heard of making soup with buttons? However, the townspeople need to have their curiosity satisfied, so they come to the synagogue, bearing the various items the beggar asks for, and sure enough, a delicious soup materializes at the end.
4. Cultural/Multicultural evaluation: This is a Jewish version of Stone Soup, but no less entertaining for that. I liked how the illustrations were dark and depressing at the beginning, but as the townspeople began to work together, and celebrated with the soup and camaraderie at the end, the illustrations became much brighter and less dreary. The story illustrates the power of community, and how we’re all in this together.
5. Conclusion/verdict: I do recommend it, but for older elementary, as some of the words might be too difficult for younger kids, even when read aloud.
2. Book information: Davis, A. (1995). Bone Button Borscht. New York: Kids Can Press, Ltd.
3. Summary: On a cold winter’s night, a traveling beggar has every door shut in his face. He finds a synagogue, where there is a warm inviting fire, and begins to pop the buttons off his coat. He tells the shamas, or caretaker, that he can make a delicious borscht (vegetable soup) for the whole town, if only he had one more button. Everyone thinks this is ludicrous, of course, for who heard of making soup with buttons? However, the townspeople need to have their curiosity satisfied, so they come to the synagogue, bearing the various items the beggar asks for, and sure enough, a delicious soup materializes at the end.
4. Cultural/Multicultural evaluation: This is a Jewish version of Stone Soup, but no less entertaining for that. I liked how the illustrations were dark and depressing at the beginning, but as the townspeople began to work together, and celebrated with the soup and camaraderie at the end, the illustrations became much brighter and less dreary. The story illustrates the power of community, and how we’re all in this together.
5. Conclusion/verdict: I do recommend it, but for older elementary, as some of the words might be too difficult for younger kids, even when read aloud.
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