Review: The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat by Barbara Bietz, John Kanzler (Contributor)

Title: The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat

Author: Barbara Bietz
Contributor: John Kanzler
Published: July 7, 2017
Publisher: August House Publishers Inc
Pages: 32
Genre: Children ages 6 on up
Review: Paperback provided by publisher
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk 

During the early days of settling the "Wild West," there were many Jewish families who became fearless pioneers seeking to create new communities in the desolate terrain. In this story, a young boy and his family move to the desert Southwest where they are the only Jewish family in their small town. Despite keeping busy with chores, adapting to their new home among strangers proves challenging. Every Shabbat, Mama complains that there is too much soup, not enough family. The young boy has an idea to help relieve Mama s homesickness and invites their new neighbors for Shabbat dinner. By honoring the Jewish value of inviting guests into their home for a meal, the family creates a sense of community in their new town." 

We received this book to give an honest review.

In this story we are introduced to a Jewish family that has moved out West to start a better life. 

Though they are the only Jewish family in their small town that does not stop them from preparing for Shabbat. Though I do wish we were told what Shabbat was especially since I do not know much about the Jewish traditions. 

As they are in the middle of Shabbat the young boy's mom misses their family that is back home so,  what is the best way to fill their home with laughter besides memories? Invite your neighbors to celebrate Shabbat with you and share the laughter and love you have. We all know there is plenty to go around. 

The illustrations were very lively and went well with the story. 

Barbara Bietz, creator of the website Jewish Books for Kids, is not only an accomplished author, she is also a magazine writer, educator, and respected book reviewer. Bietz has served as chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee for the Association of Jewish Libraries, director at Chyten Educational Services in Westlake Village, California, and a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Bietz currently teaches writing classes for adults and children. Barbara earned a BS and MS in Education at the University of Arizona. She lives with her family and their three naughty dogs in Oak Park, California.

Illustrator: 

John Kanzler grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut in a house formerly belonging to William Steig's and he currently lives on a small farm in Greenfield, Massachusetts with his wife Diane and his daughter Lorelei. They have several sheep and a llama or two. He has been drawing on things as far back as he can remember and is a completely self-taught artist. When he is not pursuing his art or spending time with his family on their farm, he generally pursues a crazy, eclectic range of interests, from astronomy to paleontology.