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Soosie: The Horse That Saved Shabbat
Every Shabbat Jacob and his horse Soosie set out to deliver Ezra and Esther's delicious challahs to their Jerusalem neighbors. But what happens when Jacob is sick? Will everyone get their challah in time for Shabbat?
This heart-warming story highlights the important Jewish values of caring for animals and the sick. It is based on the history of Angel Bakery, the oldest commercial bakery in Israel. The charming illustrations capture picturesque turn of the century Jerusalem and its diverse group of residents. A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.
This heart-warming story highlights the important Jewish values of caring for animals and the sick. It is based on the history of Angel Bakery, the oldest commercial bakery in Israel. The charming illustrations capture picturesque turn of the century Jerusalem and its diverse group of residents. A free downloadable activity guide that highlights the themes in this book is available on the Kalaniot Books website.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 14, 2021
I received an ARC from the publisher for review.
This book evoked memories of my own Goldberg family's fruit peddling business on Milwaukee's West Side and my great-grandpa's horse, King. King knew the route so well, that he ambled along without any guidance from my great-grandpa. King even allowed Grandpa Louis to snooze between deliveries. So Soosie, The Horse That Saved Shabbat is a feasible tale about a horse that delivers challah in time for Shabbat. Alone! Without the help of Jacob, who usually greets customers. Why? Because one Friday, Jacob becomes ill. How will the people of Jerusalem get their challahs for Shabbat? No worries. Soosie saves Shabbat, traveling along the route and stopping to make the deliveries. I loved this beautifully written and illustrated picture book and highly recommend for all ages.
This book evoked memories of my own Goldberg family's fruit peddling business on Milwaukee's West Side and my great-grandpa's horse, King. King knew the route so well, that he ambled along without any guidance from my great-grandpa. King even allowed Grandpa Louis to snooze between deliveries. So Soosie, The Horse That Saved Shabbat is a feasible tale about a horse that delivers challah in time for Shabbat. Alone! Without the help of Jacob, who usually greets customers. Why? Because one Friday, Jacob becomes ill. How will the people of Jerusalem get their challahs for Shabbat? No worries. Soosie saves Shabbat, traveling along the route and stopping to make the deliveries. I loved this beautifully written and illustrated picture book and highly recommend for all ages.
January 27, 2021
Esther and Ezra are busy baking challah for families to eat at their Shabbat dinners. When the challah is ready Jacob and his horse Soosie go around the town with their wagon loaded to deliver fresh challah to the people. The cobblestone roads echo with the clip-clop of Soosie’s hooves. Up and down the streets they go greeting the many customers. The next day Jacob was ill. Esther and Ezra worried their delicious challah would not be delivered to the families. Jacob knew Soosie could take the wagon on the route. What do you think Soosie did?
This delightful story of friendship and Jewish culture is perfect for reading during Shabbat. Easy to read sentences and colorful illustrations will keep young readers engaged. Parents and teachers can use this as a tool to teach kindness to others and caring for animals.
This delightful story of friendship and Jewish culture is perfect for reading during Shabbat. Easy to read sentences and colorful illustrations will keep young readers engaged. Parents and teachers can use this as a tool to teach kindness to others and caring for animals.
February 3, 2021
What a charming story that takes on a new path in coming up with a fresh tale about Shabbat.
Every Friday, Esther and Ezra bake challahs for all the folks in Jerusalem. Then, Jacob the delivery boy, leads Soosie, the beloved horse through the street of Jerusalem to sell the Challahs. But what to do when a delivery boy gets sick just before Shabbat? That’s when Soosie saves the day.
Being familiar with the Jerusalem neighborhoods, Jacob trusts her to deliver the loaves on her own. In her author’s notes the author explains that this story is based on a true event that happened years ago at the Engel Bakery in Jerusalem.
This is a great read aloud with lots of sounds like, Clip-Clop, imitating the sounds the wagon makes as it rides on the cobblestone streets, and Clink-Clank, imitating the sounds of the coins tat the folks drop into the tin bank after buying the challahs. The loving relations and trust between Jacob and Soosie is endearing. It is apparent that the author is familiar with the city of Jerusalem and its unique neighborhoods. The illustrations are gorgeous, depicting people with diverse skin tones. The author’s notes at the end about Shabbat and the people of Jerusalem are an added bonus.
Every Friday, Esther and Ezra bake challahs for all the folks in Jerusalem. Then, Jacob the delivery boy, leads Soosie, the beloved horse through the street of Jerusalem to sell the Challahs. But what to do when a delivery boy gets sick just before Shabbat? That’s when Soosie saves the day.
Being familiar with the Jerusalem neighborhoods, Jacob trusts her to deliver the loaves on her own. In her author’s notes the author explains that this story is based on a true event that happened years ago at the Engel Bakery in Jerusalem.
This is a great read aloud with lots of sounds like, Clip-Clop, imitating the sounds the wagon makes as it rides on the cobblestone streets, and Clink-Clank, imitating the sounds of the coins tat the folks drop into the tin bank after buying the challahs. The loving relations and trust between Jacob and Soosie is endearing. It is apparent that the author is familiar with the city of Jerusalem and its unique neighborhoods. The illustrations are gorgeous, depicting people with diverse skin tones. The author’s notes at the end about Shabbat and the people of Jerusalem are an added bonus.
February 8, 2021
Read an eARC to differentiate between 296 and 636.1, definitely more of a Jewish book than a horse book.
July 19, 2021
Cute! But I wonder if kids (haha maybe it was just me) would be curious to know when this was in Jerusalem's history! According to information in the back, it was when Eretz Yisrael was part of the British Empire, but it could have easily been when it was part of the Ottoman Empire??? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
February 16, 2021
In the Jewish faith, Shallat is celebrated at sunset on Friday evening and ends when the three stars can be viewed on Saturday. It is a time to rest and a time to offer blessings.
Long ago, in Jerusalem, early every Friday morning, Ezra and Esther would open their bakery and spend the day making challah bread for all the people of Jerusalem. Once the wagon was full of the bread, Jacob and his faithful horse, Soosie, would then deliver the bread to everyone. One Friday morning, Jacob is ill and can’t make the deliveries. Who could possibly deliver all the bread before sundown?
As Jacob and Soosie deliver challah to the people, there is a repetitive nature to the story that children will quickly pick up. With the use of onomatopoeias like “Clip” and “Clop” younger children will enjoy interacting and reading the story as well. The illustrations show the old Jerusalem and the diverse people who live there. Soosie, the horse, is also full of pride and joy at her accomplishments as shown by her illustrated expressions. There is even an adorable grey kitty that graces the pages.
For those who celebrate Shabbat or for others that like to teach their children about other cultures and religions, this is an excellent folktale based on a story told many years ago in one family’s Jerusalem bakery.
Long ago, in Jerusalem, early every Friday morning, Ezra and Esther would open their bakery and spend the day making challah bread for all the people of Jerusalem. Once the wagon was full of the bread, Jacob and his faithful horse, Soosie, would then deliver the bread to everyone. One Friday morning, Jacob is ill and can’t make the deliveries. Who could possibly deliver all the bread before sundown?
As Jacob and Soosie deliver challah to the people, there is a repetitive nature to the story that children will quickly pick up. With the use of onomatopoeias like “Clip” and “Clop” younger children will enjoy interacting and reading the story as well. The illustrations show the old Jerusalem and the diverse people who live there. Soosie, the horse, is also full of pride and joy at her accomplishments as shown by her illustrated expressions. There is even an adorable grey kitty that graces the pages.
For those who celebrate Shabbat or for others that like to teach their children about other cultures and religions, this is an excellent folktale based on a story told many years ago in one family’s Jerusalem bakery.
May 17, 2021
What a charming Shabbat story! With a "clip" and a "clop", Soosie saves the day by delivering challah to all the families in the neighborhood. This must-read book is a sure to become every child's favorite and destined to be read aloud again and again and again!
June 30, 2022
There's lots to like about this story. Obviously, it teaches a little about the shabbat and the making of challah. And ... there's a strong message of kindness, kindness toward other people and toward animals.
February 5, 2021
Leave it to Tami Lehman-Wilzig to tell an enchanting story from the kernel of an historical event. Thank you for serving up this delightful slice of challah history.
April 2, 2021
Long ago, when Jerusalem was still a small town, there was a bakery. The bakery specialized in challah, and made enough for the entire community. Jacob was the bakery’s delivery boy who drove the cart that was pulled by Soosie, the owners’ horse. The two traveled in the early morning along the cobblestone streets of Jerusalem, delivering challah. As each family paid, the coins dropped into the metal bank with a clink-clang. They did the same route, day after day, month after month. But then one day, Jacob was too sick to make the deliveries. Jacob was certain that Soosie, the horse, could make the deliveries all on her own. So they put a note on the cart and sent her on her way. Soosie stopped at each place, accepted the money in the bank, and walked on. Back at the bakery, they worried about whether Soosie could do it all on her own. Three hours passed, and finally Soosie was home again with an empty wagon and a bank full of coins.
Inspired by the history of Angel Bakery in Jerusalem, the author created a gentle folktale about dependability, challah and Shabbat. The author explains the details of Shabbat in her author notes, including the importance of animal rights as a part of Shabbat. Her writing pays homage to folklore capturing the same repeating elements as Jacob and Soosie make their regular rounds. She also uses plenty of sounds in her writing, emphasizing them and inviting participation.
The illustrations are light-hearted and merry. From the bustling bakery to the stable next door to the many people of Jerusalem they interact with. The entire book has the same quiet humor and good-natured belief in one another.
Paying homage to folklore and Jerusalem, this Jewish picture book is full of the warmth of bread and community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Inspired by the history of Angel Bakery in Jerusalem, the author created a gentle folktale about dependability, challah and Shabbat. The author explains the details of Shabbat in her author notes, including the importance of animal rights as a part of Shabbat. Her writing pays homage to folklore capturing the same repeating elements as Jacob and Soosie make their regular rounds. She also uses plenty of sounds in her writing, emphasizing them and inviting participation.
The illustrations are light-hearted and merry. From the bustling bakery to the stable next door to the many people of Jerusalem they interact with. The entire book has the same quiet humor and good-natured belief in one another.
Paying homage to folklore and Jerusalem, this Jewish picture book is full of the warmth of bread and community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
October 27, 2025
"Soosie: The Horse That Saved Shabbat" (2021) is not only a wonderfully entertaining story rooted in a beautiful history, but one that particularly resonated with me on a personal level.
You see, my immigrant great-grandfather "drove" a horse-drawn bakery wagon in downtown Toronto in the early 20th century, and my father still talks about his excitement as a small child at visiting the horses and being allowed to sit on the bright red-painted wagon.
So upon reading "Soosie", of course I fell in love with this story inspired by Angel's Bakery, a real-life institution in Jerusalem since its establishment in 1927, which also initially delivered its bread with two trucks and a horse-and-cart. As quoted directly from Angel family scion Danny Angel, "The horse-and-cart was more efficient than the trucks because the horse knew the route as well as the driver, so there was no problem when the driver was off sick!"
And that is exactly the premise of this funny, sweet, fictionalised story, about a horse named Soosie (literally a diminutive of "soos", or "horse" in Hebrew) who takes over the driver's route when he is sick, all by herself, to ensure that everyone gets their challah in time for Shabbat.
With wonderfully colourful, expressive artwork, and back matter delving further into the history of Angel Bakery, Shabbat, the population of Jerusalem, and some info on the Jewish exhortation to take care of animals, this is truly a great storytime choice.
You see, my immigrant great-grandfather "drove" a horse-drawn bakery wagon in downtown Toronto in the early 20th century, and my father still talks about his excitement as a small child at visiting the horses and being allowed to sit on the bright red-painted wagon.
So upon reading "Soosie", of course I fell in love with this story inspired by Angel's Bakery, a real-life institution in Jerusalem since its establishment in 1927, which also initially delivered its bread with two trucks and a horse-and-cart. As quoted directly from Angel family scion Danny Angel, "The horse-and-cart was more efficient than the trucks because the horse knew the route as well as the driver, so there was no problem when the driver was off sick!"
And that is exactly the premise of this funny, sweet, fictionalised story, about a horse named Soosie (literally a diminutive of "soos", or "horse" in Hebrew) who takes over the driver's route when he is sick, all by herself, to ensure that everyone gets their challah in time for Shabbat.
With wonderfully colourful, expressive artwork, and back matter delving further into the history of Angel Bakery, Shabbat, the population of Jerusalem, and some info on the Jewish exhortation to take care of animals, this is truly a great storytime choice.
July 15, 2024
Every Friday morning the elderly bakers rise and make enough challah for everyone's Shabbat. Then the delivery boy takes the horse and wagon through the town, stopping in each neighborhood to sell the challah. The book has repeated refrains about the boy and the horse that kids will soon be chanting along with the reader. Kids will also enjoy the repeated onomatopoeias with the sounds of hooves on the cobblestone and coins clinking in the money box. When the delivery boy is too ill, he is sure that the horse knows the way and Soosie is sent out on her own with a note on the seat along with the money box. When Soosie finally returns home with an empty wagon and a full moneybox, she has certainly earned her Sabbath day of rest. This sweet tale reinforces the ideals of hard work, dependability, kindness to animals and a childlike belief in honesty. Wilzig's charming story is accompanied by bright colorful illustrations by Menahem Halberstadt. The horse is adorable and the people have bright friendly faces and skin tones that show the ethnic diversity of the Jewish people. According to the authors note, this book is based on a true story. The back matter also includes a description of Shabbat, blessings and a note about the diversity reflected in the illustrations. This cute Shabbat book would make a fine addition to any young Jewish family library. But with the author's explanatory note, anyone would have the background needed to appreciate this story.
January 19, 2021
When I first picked up Soosie: The Horse that Saved Shabbat, I wasn't sure what the point of the story was, but it grew on me and I realized that a large part of it was actually the relationship between Jacob and his horse. Jacob is a young boy who delivers challah throughout Jerusalem. He has a very special relationship with his horse Soosie, a play on soos, the Hebrew word for horse, and you can tell that they have a way of communicating with each other as only true friends could share. When Jacob is sick and the couple who bake the bread are too old, Jacob realizes that Soosie knows the route by heart and they let her go on her own to do the deliveries. Of course, a happy ending with Soosie delivering all of the bread takes place and everyone has earned their day of rest. Not only was the relationship between human and animal special, but according to the back matter, this was actually based on a true story when a baker did send his horse to make his deliveries. Sometimes we don't give animals the credit they deserve for their brilliance and love.
February 2, 2021
We loved reading Soosie the horse that saved shabbat to our grandchildren. In today’s world with all the calamities our children are exposed to Soosie is a story that builds the confidence that somehow our world will stay steady and consistent with everyone paying attention to how to get it done. In this story we find Soosie the horse who is loved and cared for by everyone. Jacob proudly brings the challah to waiting customers who seem to be grateful for the delivery. We learn that Soosie is the best friend of Jacob and will carry out the delivery when Jacob is ill. The childlike confidence that Soosie will of course do the route and then save the day is the belief that somehow all will be good and the Shabbat will be preserved.
Jeff Soffer, LCSW-child therapist
Jeff Soffer, LCSW-child therapist
March 6, 2021
Soosie The Horse That Saved Shabbat is a charming new picture book that takes us back to a nascent Jerusalem, where the genial town folk depended on the delicious challahs baked by Ezra and Esther, delivered by young Jacob and an intuitive horse named Soosie. The delightful, folksy art depicts a friendly community of Jews from all over the world who look out for one another. Soosie is the heroine of this story, as she runs the route without any humans when a problem arises. Readers of all ages will root for Soosie to save Shabbat for all of Jerusalem and find her way back home to her beloved family. I know that I certainly did, and I am sure that this beautifully written and illustrated tale will be a favorite story requested by children to be read again and again.
February 2, 2021
This author and illustrator have worked gracefully together to create a beautiful book full of warmth and tradition. I especially appreciate the little details in each illustration that lend themselves to discussion beyond the printed text. My five-year-old granddaughter is especially interested in books set back in time, as this one is. She was enchanted by the story, the clothes, the special relationship Jacob has with his horse, and her imagining of the secret words between them. For emerging readers, the CLIP, CLAP, CLINK, CLANG sounds of Soosie’s hooves present a chance to practice.
December 10, 2021
This is a cute book that can help kids learn about Shabbat--and how wonderful animals are! As a horse-girl, I can tell you that a good horse absolutely would be able to deliver the challah on its own, although they might stop to nibble some grass along the way now and then! A sweet story that makes me want to try some challah bread! A brief author's note in the back goes into more detail about Shabbat, Jerusalem, and the inspiration for this story.
February 20, 2025
Really cute (story and art) book about Soosie, the horse, that I could see being fun to read aloud (with all the clip-clops and clink-clangs).
Setting: It takes place in Jerusalem under the British Mandate (a guess from the art).
Plot: When Jacob, the delivery boy, is sick, Soosie saves Shabbat by delivering challah to all her customers on Friday *all by herself.* <3
Overall vibes: Very cute.
Setting: It takes place in Jerusalem under the British Mandate (a guess from the art).
Plot: When Jacob, the delivery boy, is sick, Soosie saves Shabbat by delivering challah to all her customers on Friday *all by herself.* <3
Overall vibes: Very cute.
August 27, 2021
The story of a horse that delivered the baker's Sabbath bread throughout Jerusalem when the normal delivery boy was too sick to do it.
The illustration style reminds me of a cartoon (like The Animated Stories from the Bible).
Also shows the goodness of people as they paid for their challah even though there was no person there to ensure that they did.
The illustration style reminds me of a cartoon (like The Animated Stories from the Bible).
Also shows the goodness of people as they paid for their challah even though there was no person there to ensure that they did.
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January 22, 2021
A wonderful story about Shabbat, challah, the Jewish community, and Soosie. I appreciated the addition of the glossary to aid in the cultural aspect of the book. I certainly think this would be a fun storytime read.
January 31, 2021
My grandchildren loved this book. They love animals and Soosie really appealed to them.
February 1, 2021
My son and I really enjoyed this book. He thought it was funny and enjoyed following along with the sounds of the horse and the driver. What a nice way to get excited about Shabbos!
Want to Read
March 26, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
June 12, 2021
Soosie saves the day when Jacob is too sick to deliver the challah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2022
Wrote about this one in a recent article for Moment magazine: https://momentmag.com/new-jewish-kidlit/
February 23, 2024
Sweet well written story about the horse who delivers the challahs in Jerusalem when the delivery boy gets sick. A great Jewish story to share with families or Hebrew school.
March 2, 2021
My 4.5 year old son and I LOVED reading Soosie: The Horse That Saved Shabbat. The whimsical eye-catching illustrations instantly transport the reader to a time long before technology and modern conveniences, and the writing brings this period to life from the first page. Throughout the story we hear, literally, the sounds of these villagers' lives from long ago. The story itself is simple and sweet, appropriate for a variety of ages, and fun for both parents and grandparents to read. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews