Miryam's Dance

Miryam's Dance follows a Jewish girl in a Ugandan village as she dances through her family's preparations for Shabbat, the Sabbath. She collects plantains from the store and water from a pump. She interrupts her brothers' sweeping and gets distracted while helping her cousin pick mangoes and pawpaws. All the while, she hears the toomba toomba of distant drums. Finally, Miryam finds the source of the drumming: a group of dancers! She joins them as they celebrate Shabbat together in the village. In many ways, the setting is the star of this book. Authors Olitzky and Spilker mention details about the area ranging from the sound of the drum to particular foods. The brightly colored illustrations also give a strong feel of the village, showcasing everything from local clothing to mosquito nets to wildlife. In an appended letter, Gershom Sizomu, the chief rabbi of Uganda. explains a bit more about his community and their customs. A joyful peek into Jewish life in a place that is likely to be unfamiliar to many American readers. --Booklist

Miryam wakes to the sound of drums and is lured to the place where musicians and dancers are practicing. Along the way, her family and friends remind her to do tasks to prepare for Shabbat, and they sigh when she is forgetful. Clearly this is not the first time Miryam has been distracted. She is invited to perform with the dancers that evening. As Miryam twirls, skips and cartwheels, the lively prose and dynamic illustrations propel the reader from page to page, caught up in her exuberance. At first her family is hesitant about dancing, but Miryam encourages them to experience a new, joyful way to celebrate Shabbat.

The Ugandan character, Miryam, echoes the Miriam in the Exodus story, with her love of drums and dance, and her role of leading her community to dance with her. Although children may not catch this reference, it potentially builds a familiarity with the biblical Miriam.

Young readers' images of Jewish people will expand with this portrayal of the Abayudaya, Jews of color in contemporary Uganda. The familiar sight of Shabbat ritual objects - candlesticks, wine and challah - set in a rural African village provides a welcome view of Jews in a context outside the experience of most American Jews.

The Jewish content makes this book a strong contender for the Sydney Taylor Book Award. The rich back matter includes a note written by the chief rabbi of Uganda, a glossary of Lugandan words, and a recipe to cook plantains. This joyful, colorful, and well-designed book will make children and adults want to jump up and join in the dance. --Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Miryam, who lives in a small village in Uganda, wakes up Friday morning to the sound of drums and wants to dance. Her mother reminds her that Shabbat is coming and there is much she must do to help prepare for Shabbat. "Now is not the time for dancing," her mother scolds. While Miryam and her friend Aliza collect fruit from the mango and pawpaw trees for the Shabbat treat, Miryam hears drum beats and wants to dance, but she needs to run errands for her mother and has no time to dance. As Miryam draws water from the well and fills a jug so that her mother will have water for her challah dough, Miryam sees dancers practicing for the Shabbat celebration. The dancers invite Miryam to join them and learn the dances. On Friday night when the villagers are sitting outdoors and a table is set with a white tablecloth, candle sticks, a large Kiddush cup and challah, the dancers enter the village. Miryam joins them and the village has a new Shabbat experience. Miryam is a delightful character. Her optimism and joy jump off the pages. The brightly colored illustrations enhance the book; especially beautiful are the dancers' authentic costumes. Miryam's Dance teaches that there are many different kinds of Jews around the world, but we all share the gift of a joyous Shabbat. In a note, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, chief Rabbi of Uganda talks about Jewish Ugandan Shabbat customs such as singing, Shabbat dinner that includes Matoke (mashed plantains), smoked fish in peanut sauce, and fresh challah. The back matter includes a recipe for matoke and a few words in Lugandal. When you read this book aloud and the listeners get up and dance, join them! --Association of Jewish Libraries