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Purim Goodies
Purim Goodies is a beautifully illustrated children's book that tells about the many assorted ingredients related to the Purim Holiday and the importance of giving. The book also includes a Recipe for baking Hamantaschen as well as a glossary of Yiddish terms used throughout the story! Who could resist the tempting smell of fresh-baked Purim goodies? Kleineh Adella and Groyseh Adella just can t. And so ... they nibble on the torte, dip into the pudding, pinch the mandelbrot and ... even though they don t mean to ... completely gobble up the hamantaschen. But when these mischievous young maids attempt to deliver the Purim goodies to the families of their employers best friends ... oy vey, oy vey, there are only leftovers on the tray! Seasoned with humor, sprinkled with Yiddish words, sweetened with luscious illustrations and a delicious hamantaschen recipe, this book is sure to whet your appetite.
- GenresPicture Books
36 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Amalia Hoffman
14 books23 followersAmalia Hoffman is an author, illustrator and storyteller.
My Monsterpiece (Yeehoo Press) is the winner in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award Picture book (Ages 0-5)
All Colors (Schiffer Publishing, 2019) is one of School Library Journal best board books, 2019.
The Brave Cyclist (Capstone Publishing, 2019,) illustrated by Chiara Fedele) is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and a Bank Street College Selection Book.
Dreidel Day (Kar-Ben Publishing Group, 2018) is a PJ Library book and received the PJ Library Author Incentive Award
She’s also author/illustrator of Astro Pea (Schiffer Publishing, 2019.)
Amalia’s article, Queen Esther and I was published in Highlights Magazine for Children, March, 2016.
Amalia designed and illustrated Rose Bud, an oversized book with pop-up elements for Israel’s children’s theater "The Train."
Other books include, The Klezmer Bunch and Purim Goodies, Gefen Publishing House.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 15, 2019
Based upon a short story by Sholem Aleichem - a late nineteenth, early twentieth-century Russian-Jewish author, whose stories about Tevye the Milkman were the inspiration for the film, Fiddler on the Roof - Purim Goodies follows the tale of two maids, Groyseh (big) Adella and Kleineh (small) Adella, who are dispatched by their respective employers to deliver shalach manes - the gifts of food given at Purim. When the two Adellas meet up during the course of their errands, however, they are tempted by the goodies entrusted to them, and end up gobbling them down! Soon the intended recipients and their families, having received half-empty plates, are convinced that they have been insulted, and refuse to speak to one another...
Despite the low star rating, there were things that I liked about Purim Goodies. I appreciated the fact that the author(s) assume that the reader already knows about the story of Purim, and understands the customs that accompany it. This makes it a great selection for Jewish children, who probably don't need another tale explaining the story of Esther to them. I also enjoyed Amalia Hoffman's artwork, which had a quirky, "scratchy" appearance, and a humorous quality that kept me entertained.
But the social critic in me couldn't help but notice that here we have two servants, dressed in the cast-off rags of their employers - Groyseh Adella is wearing the too-large shoes of her employer's son, while Kleineh Adella appears in a worn-out coat that is so ragged, its lining is compared to overcooked noodles, hanging down in tatters. So when Rabbi Meir resolves the crisis, reminding the warring wives that it is absurd to argue over how much strudel, taigelach and hamantaschen they have, when there are truly hungry people in the village, a part of me wanted to step in and remind him that charity begins at home! Provide your employees with decent clothing and a decent wage, before lecturing anyone else on ethics...
Other readers might interpret this part of the story differently, so I still encourage them to take a look at Purim Goodies, if they're in the market for Purim storybooks. As for me, I find myself wondering if this one discordant element can be laid more at Sholem Aleichem's door, than Amalia Hoffman's. I'll have to try her The Klezmer Bunch and see...
Despite the low star rating, there were things that I liked about Purim Goodies. I appreciated the fact that the author(s) assume that the reader already knows about the story of Purim, and understands the customs that accompany it. This makes it a great selection for Jewish children, who probably don't need another tale explaining the story of Esther to them. I also enjoyed Amalia Hoffman's artwork, which had a quirky, "scratchy" appearance, and a humorous quality that kept me entertained.
But the social critic in me couldn't help but notice that here we have two servants, dressed in the cast-off rags of their employers - Groyseh Adella is wearing the too-large shoes of her employer's son, while Kleineh Adella appears in a worn-out coat that is so ragged, its lining is compared to overcooked noodles, hanging down in tatters. So when Rabbi Meir resolves the crisis, reminding the warring wives that it is absurd to argue over how much strudel, taigelach and hamantaschen they have, when there are truly hungry people in the village, a part of me wanted to step in and remind him that charity begins at home! Provide your employees with decent clothing and a decent wage, before lecturing anyone else on ethics...
Other readers might interpret this part of the story differently, so I still encourage them to take a look at Purim Goodies, if they're in the market for Purim storybooks. As for me, I find myself wondering if this one discordant element can be laid more at Sholem Aleichem's door, than Amalia Hoffman's. I'll have to try her The Klezmer Bunch and see...
February 21, 2013
First of all, the author happens to my mom, but I've always loved this book and was in the privileged position to see it made. I was especially privileged to get plenty of tastes of the hamantaschens produced from the recipe in the book. They are truly delicious.
I love the illustrations and the story of two woman who couldn't resist the temptation to nibble on their shalach manes. We're a family of consumate nibblers. There's a nice mix of yiddish phrases and a glossary in the back to help you out. My yiddish knowledge is embarrassingly awful, but it was fun to try to guess the meaning of the phrases and then check the back to see if I was correct.
I love the illustrations and the story of two woman who couldn't resist the temptation to nibble on their shalach manes. We're a family of consumate nibblers. There's a nice mix of yiddish phrases and a glossary in the back to help you out. My yiddish knowledge is embarrassingly awful, but it was fun to try to guess the meaning of the phrases and then check the back to see if I was correct.
March 18, 2013
Purim Goodies is a heartfelt, engaging, and approachable retelling of a lovely Purim tradition with whimsical illustrations and a story that entices the senses.
If you ever have the chance to see Amalia retell Purim Goodies, take the whole family. She is a great storyteller who gets the children involved in the act. They learn, have fun, and sometimes even get to walk away with a Purim goodie bag!
If you ever have the chance to see Amalia retell Purim Goodies, take the whole family. She is a great storyteller who gets the children involved in the act. They learn, have fun, and sometimes even get to walk away with a Purim goodie bag!
March 21, 2024
Purim Goodies is a funny Purim story, sweet as hamantaschen.
Based upon a short story by Sholom Aleichem, Amalia Hoffman has retold the story in her picture book for all to enjoy. Hoffman is a consummate storyteller. Her metaphoric descriptions lead to colorful descriptions. She paints the world and characters with her words as well as her illustrations. And those illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The muted pastel watercolors provide an old fashioned homey mood to match the setting. Each page is full of humorous details. From houses with faces to little children peeking though a hole in the page, each little detail invites the reader to spend time looking for more. I loved the drawing of the fiddler on the roof, a subtle nod to the original author of this tale. Aleichem was renown for his stories that reflected early life in Eastern European Jewish villages. The story is about two servants who are both delivering Shalach Manes, Purim Goodies to each other's homes. The girls can not resist the enticing aromas and end up delivering half empty trays. The women receiving the treats are insulted by the merger offerings and start to feud. Eventually all is resolved.
The story takes place in a Jewish village during the holiday of Purim, but the themes of friendship, forgiveness and restitution, and charity are appropriate for any at any time of the year and can be enjoyed by anyone. The author adds flavor to the story with several Yiddish words. But she mentions this at the beginning of the book and points the reader to the glossary in the afterward. Yiddish is a dying language and I was only familiar with about half the terms. However, Hoffman use of the terms is so natural that the context clues make the glossary almost unneeded. Many Purim picture books have an afterward that offers a recipe for the traditional Purim cookie hamantaschen. Hoffman's recipe includes not one, but two different fillings.
This is a book that would delight any Jewish child and be enjoyed for years to come.
Based upon a short story by Sholom Aleichem, Amalia Hoffman has retold the story in her picture book for all to enjoy. Hoffman is a consummate storyteller. Her metaphoric descriptions lead to colorful descriptions. She paints the world and characters with her words as well as her illustrations. And those illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The muted pastel watercolors provide an old fashioned homey mood to match the setting. Each page is full of humorous details. From houses with faces to little children peeking though a hole in the page, each little detail invites the reader to spend time looking for more. I loved the drawing of the fiddler on the roof, a subtle nod to the original author of this tale. Aleichem was renown for his stories that reflected early life in Eastern European Jewish villages. The story is about two servants who are both delivering Shalach Manes, Purim Goodies to each other's homes. The girls can not resist the enticing aromas and end up delivering half empty trays. The women receiving the treats are insulted by the merger offerings and start to feud. Eventually all is resolved.
The story takes place in a Jewish village during the holiday of Purim, but the themes of friendship, forgiveness and restitution, and charity are appropriate for any at any time of the year and can be enjoyed by anyone. The author adds flavor to the story with several Yiddish words. But she mentions this at the beginning of the book and points the reader to the glossary in the afterward. Yiddish is a dying language and I was only familiar with about half the terms. However, Hoffman use of the terms is so natural that the context clues make the glossary almost unneeded. Many Purim picture books have an afterward that offers a recipe for the traditional Purim cookie hamantaschen. Hoffman's recipe includes not one, but two different fillings.
This is a book that would delight any Jewish child and be enjoyed for years to come.
September 8, 2012
Purim Guddies is a whimsical and delightful retelling of a story by
Sholem Aleichem, which both a parent and a child would enjoy. Two
maids, Small Adella and Big Adella, are sent by their respective
employers to deliver Purim baked goods. However, the maids are tempted by the smell of the pastries. A nibble here and a nibble there, and the two gobble most of the torte -- the Mandelbrot and the
Hamantaschen pastries. The recipients are insulted when they see the
half empty baskets and they stop talking to each other. The town’s
rabbi restores peace, and he gives the two couples proper perspective:
You have to be grateful for what you have.
This story reminds me of a personal anecdote. My aunt once had a cook who would fry fish for dinner. The cook couldn't resist its smell, and when the guests arrived there was very little fish left. "Did I eat it
all?" the cook wondered. "How is it possible? But I eat only small
portions, like a bird."
Ms. Hoffman is a great story teller, and her muted illustrations are
stunning. I tried the hamantaschen recipe that complements the story,
and found it to be a true Purim treat. Although this is a holiday
book, the idea behind it is universal and an educator or a parent
could have a discussion with children about the value of giving,
forgiving, humility, and friendship.
Sholem Aleichem, which both a parent and a child would enjoy. Two
maids, Small Adella and Big Adella, are sent by their respective
employers to deliver Purim baked goods. However, the maids are tempted by the smell of the pastries. A nibble here and a nibble there, and the two gobble most of the torte -- the Mandelbrot and the
Hamantaschen pastries. The recipients are insulted when they see the
half empty baskets and they stop talking to each other. The town’s
rabbi restores peace, and he gives the two couples proper perspective:
You have to be grateful for what you have.
This story reminds me of a personal anecdote. My aunt once had a cook who would fry fish for dinner. The cook couldn't resist its smell, and when the guests arrived there was very little fish left. "Did I eat it
all?" the cook wondered. "How is it possible? But I eat only small
portions, like a bird."
Ms. Hoffman is a great story teller, and her muted illustrations are
stunning. I tried the hamantaschen recipe that complements the story,
and found it to be a true Purim treat. Although this is a holiday
book, the idea behind it is universal and an educator or a parent
could have a discussion with children about the value of giving,
forgiving, humility, and friendship.
February 16, 2013
Since I enjoyed the "Klezmer Bunch" I was pleased to find Purim Goodies also by Ms Hoffman. Again the beautiful illustrations and the story didn't disappoint me. I have read some Shalom Aleichem and this book like him reflects accurately Jewish life and humor in Eastern Europe. I haven't tried the recipes but I'm sure they work. I highly recommend this book.
February 9, 2013
Beautifully illustrated adaptation and retelling of a classic Sholem Aleichem tale of tradition, joy, temptation and redemption. The illustrations resonate with a love and delight of the joys of the holiday as well as its deeper meaning.
February 20, 2013
Purim Goodies is a delightful tale of two households that learn to share -- even the delicious Purim cakes! It captures the lively feel of this Jewish holiday both in the text and especially in the beautifully detailed illustrations. The story tells well as a read-aloud and is even fun to act out.
February 19, 2013
Loved this book.
Well thought out in addition to the beautiful artwork
by this terrific artist.
Well thought out in addition to the beautiful artwork
by this terrific artist.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews