The Bedtime Sh'ma, Paperback

by Sarah Gershman, Kristina Swarner (Illustrator)

The sages of Jewish tradition understood the power of bedtime and wisely put together a Jewish "good night book" in the form of the Kriat Sh'ma al haMitah , the Bedtime Sh'ma. This beautifully illustrated adaptation of the Kriat Sh'ma is a wonderful introduction to one of the oldest and most fundamental of Jewish prayers.

Genres: Jewish, Childrens, Judaica, Judaism

Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We absolutely love this book. It's the last book we read before putting our son to sleep. At the end, we sign the shema together and down he goes. It's a wonderful ritual that we've established for our family. As he gets older, we'll add more verses of the shema - which are helpfully included in the final pages of the book.

I intend to give it to friends as a baby gift, just like it was given to us.

[Shark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short children's book is a meditation on going to sleep peacefully. It is based on a traditional Jewish bedtime prayer and blessing. It is a delight and a wonderful addition to a child's bedtime routine.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little gem of Jewish prayer for kids. It's so soothing that I am reading to myself before I go to bed! I guess it's a baby step towards saying the actual prayer(s).

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so beautiful and so calming and so gentle and so kind. I should probably buy this book and read it every night. I can get so sad at night. I can get afraid and lonely and scared. This book, and the shma on which it's based, can be such a comfort. I need to find a shma practice. I think this would help me and this book could be so helpful for so many people, kids and grownups!

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

New nightly book, very lovely.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I just gave it as a baby gift, and the recipient was also in love with the illustrations.

The text is more or less an adaption of the classic sh'ma prayer, without a lot of additional commentary (there's one interesting page of commentary at the end of the book). It's not exactly geared down to toddlers, but I actually appreciate that it is simply a traditional translation, with gorgeous, mystical illustrations. My daughter loves to look at the pictures while we read it, and I like that we can snuggle up together, and she can hear the traditional text while she oohs and aahs over the illustrations. The pictures are somewhat Chagall-esque and ethereal; they capture the spirit of a bedtime prayer.

The cd that is sometimes sold along with this book is also so gorgeous and worth adding to your collection.

PJ Library sends it to one age group of kids, so some people will be exposed to it through their free program, but I think it's really nice for younger babies as well. It is a paperback, not a board book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books in children's Jewish literature, it also works well for Christian children. This bedtime story works as a prayer for children preparing for bed. Questions are asked about their day, providing great opportunities for reflection. Comfort and nurturing is provided throughout the book to help the little ones feel comfortable going to sleep at night. The illustrations have soft warm glow to them that also helps relax and calm the young reader. This book could be used in a classroom to teach about different cultures and to encourage students to reflect on their day.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audience: Students and teachers in grades 1-6 as well as classes studying religions (specifically the Jewish religion).

Appeal: The book is an adaptation of the Sh'ma prayer. Teachers may need to take care with the religious theme of the book (dependent on district regulations). The back of the book includes full-text psalms and poems written in both Hebrew and English.

Award: 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Award

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I thought at first that this adaptation of a traditional text was too cute and too artistically fashionable. But now it seems to be exactly what we need. I think I will want to read it to my son every night for the foreseeable future.

[Rachelle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book! It's so beautiful and gives my daugher peace of mind about her world before going to bed.

[Micah Stav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Jacobs gave me this book when I was first born. I did not read it until the summer of 2011, and I was immediately obsessed.