Big Bad Wolf's Yom Kippur
"This sweet, humorous tale conveys the meaning of this important Jewish holiday in a way that's understandable for children. Its premise proves it's easy to err on the side of good; each of us has kindness within, and it's satisfying to let it show." --Kirkus Reviews
In this fractured fairy tale mash-up that explains the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, Big Bad Wolf struggles to understand whether he has the capacity for change, and in the process discovers friendship among those he once thought of only as tasty snacks.
When Raccoon invites the Big Bad Wolf to Yom Kippur services, Wolf agrees to go. While he is there, he hears how everyone can use Yom Kippur as a day to become better and brighter. Wolf's not so sure...a big bad wolf can't become good! Can he? Will helping the girl in a red hood, her granny, and the three little pigs show him the way?
It is a regular morning, and Big Bad Wolf is just getting ready for another day full of bad, when something very different happens. Raccoon knocks on his door to apologize for rummaging through his garbage and invites him to synagogue services. What first appears to Wolf as an opportunity for a giant lunch buffet becomes, instead, an opportunity for Wolf to experience a change of heart. Warmly welcomed by the rabbi, who claims anyone can become better and brighter just like the leaves in the forest as they change color in the fall, Wolf, wrapped in a peaceful moment, begins to wonder if he could do the same. He spends the day helping Little Red Riding Hood take care of her sick grandmother (even though he'd rather eat them both) and showing the three little pigs how to make their houses stronger. Despite the new feelings these kindnesses give him, deep down he doesn't believe a wolf can change, because he keeps making mistakes. But as the day ends, his new friends arrive with a feast to break their Yom Kippur fast and they want to share it with their helper, partner and friend, a Big GOOD Wolf.
Sharp, sly illustrations envelop this gently fractured fairy tale in humor and warmth, while the story includes many details that help explain Yom Kippur practices to young readers as they discover we can all return to our best selves, beginning with kindness and heartfelt apologies.
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Martín Morón is the illustrator of more than fifty books for children including Surfing Past Fears. He is the author and illustrator of many books as well, including Un Señor de Negocios, published in Spanish. He studied at the School of Visual Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he lives.
bad. Things start changing at the synagogue, where he concedes a hug feels nice
and almost sings along with the others. Hearing the rabbi's sermon, Wolf
wonders if he can become "better and brighter." After services, Wolf encounters
familiar story characters: a red-hooded girl and her grandmother, whom he
treats kindly, and a porcine trio to whom he gives sensible home-building
advice. What's happened? Wolf's worst instincts repeatedly try to surface, but
they're defeated by his much-improved nature, and it becomes clear that the
formerly Big Bad Wolf has evolved into a much nicer lupine. That evening, after
the holiday is over, the Big Good Wolf is rewarded by his grateful newfound
friends. This sweet, humorous tale conveys the meaning of this important Jewish
holiday in a way that's understandable for children. Its premise proves it's
easy to err on the side of good; each of us has kindness within, and it's
satisfying to let it show. The fractured-fairy-tale motif will engage young
readers and also makes familiar literary sense, as the Big Bad Wolf, naturally,
is the antagonist of both "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs."
The illustrations are comical and dynamic; Wolf and all other animal characters
are riotously expressive. Bespectacled Little Red and Granny are pale-skinned. (This
book was reviewed digitally.)
A solemn holiday is given an appealing, entertaining
treatment well suited to young kids. (author's note about Yom Kippur) (Picture
book. 4-8) --Kirkus Reviews
In his new picture book BIG BAD WOLF'S YOM KIPPUR (Apples & Honey Press, 2023) illustrated by Martin Morón, author David Sherrin offers readers a fun, fractured fairytale that explores the essence of Yom Kippur in a meaningful and kid-friendly way. Full of heart and humor, readers will no doubt adore the cranky yet introspective Big Bad Wolf. The magical fairytale-like illustrations are a perfect pairing for the lively text. --Barbara Bietz, Jewish Books for Kids
be inter-est-ed to see how this par-tic-u-lar wolf observes Yom Kip-pur. He
attends syn-a-gogue hop-ing that hav-ing so many of his friends in one place
will make for a giant, tasty meal. When he arrives, the warmth and friend-li-ness
of the rab-bi and can-tor are sur-pris-ing-ly appeal-ing. He lis-tens to the
rab-bi's inspi-ra-tional speech and begins to think about being kinder to oth-ers.
When he meets Lit-tle Red Rid-ing Hood on her way to Grand-moth-er's house, he
has many oppor-tu-ni-ties to be help-ful. When he meets the Three Lit-tle Pigs,
he assists them in build-ing a secure home. He strug-gles all day with his
evil incli-na-tions, but the desire to be good out-weighs them. As Yom Kip-pur ends,
the Big Bad Wolf finds that Lit-tle Red Rid-ing Hood and the Three Lit-tle Pigs
have pre-pared a tasty, after-the-fast meal at his home -- and he begins to
under-stand the ben-e-fits of friend-ship. He focus-es on improv-ing his out-look
and behav-ior in the future.
Amus-ing and col-or-ful illus-tra-tions depict the ani-mal
char-ac-ters with a charm-ing range of facial expres-sions. An author's
note pro-vides more infor-ma-tion about Yom Kip-pur and the efforts one can
make to be a bet-ter, kinder per-son. This cre-ative approach to teach-ing
chil-dren about Yom Kip-pur and intro-spec-tion can lead to fur-ther con-ver-sa-tions
about the peo-ple they hope to become as they grow up. --The Jewish Book Council
