Sing Along Alef Bet

by Mama Doni, Rinat Gilboa (Illustrator), Eric Lindberg (With)

Overview

Musician’s Mama Doni and Eric Lindberg’s upbeat and charming lyrics form the text for this rollicking trip through the alef bet. Readers can sing along as they watch a sister, brother and their animal friends jump, climb, swing, and twirl through each letter. Gilboa’s illustrations are sophisticated and charming, with hidden Hebrew words, textures and color that will delight both adult and child readers. A fantastic and fun introduction to the Hebrew a,b,c’s.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681155098
Publisher:	Behrman House, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/06/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

04/04/2016
Mama Doni is the stage name of singer-songwriter Doni Zasloff, and a song written and performed with her husband, Lindberg, introduces the Hebrew alphabet in this upbeat adaptation. Gilboa’s multi-textured patchwork collages focus on a pair of siblings, who often interact with the Hebrew letters on each page. “Alef is for aba and ima./ That’s a dad and mom./ Bet is my bayit,/ at home where I belong,” reads the opening spread; on the page at left, the boy uses a large alef like a slide while on the facing page, the bet is incorporated into the façade of the family’s house. Fabric patterns and golden tones in the artwork create a sense of warmth throughout, like stepping into a home where welcoming candles glow. An app with a recording of the song is available for download. Ages 2–5. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Mama Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg are two of the most talented, creative and joyful artists I’ve ever known. The work they do with and for children is gorgeous and inspired.  You will absolutely love this book, as my children and I do.  

— Neshama Carlebach, world renowned Jewish songwriter and recording artist 

With Sing-Along Alef Bet, Doni and Eric have taken their extraordinary gifts to engage Jewish children to an entirely new level. There is no doubt this magic blend of Mama Doni’s art, music and story will impact the lives of thousands!   

 -Rick Recht, top touring Jewish musician and PJ Library Spokesperson

From the Publisher

2016-02-02
An effervescent run through the sounds and characters of the Hebrew alphabet, with a free musical track available via download. Typical of song lyrics transcribed to print, the rhymes and rhythms sometimes sound better than they read: "Nun is for na'al—that's my shoe. / Samech is for sus. That means horse in Hebrew." Also, the audio version includes a fast alphabetical chorus that is not included in the book, except once at the end in a spread of untranscribed characters. There's no lack of energy, though, in the language or the illustrations. Incorporating a large Hebrew character into each paint-and-collage scene, Gilboa portrays a light-skinned, red- and black-haired family in, mostly, modern dress dancing through domestic settings with pets, flowers, food, and finally a Torah scroll (for "Tav"). A closing note to adults suggests ways of sharing the contents. Children new to the language may flounder; those with a handle on their alef-bets already will happily sing along, and they'll probably pick up some new words along the way. (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews