1, 2, 3, Nosh with Me

PreS-Gr 1--Buckwheat, the family dog, takes readers on a counting journey from 1-10 with his favorite traditional Jewish treats in this delicious counting book. Challah, knishes, bagels, and latkes are just some of the dishes included. Illustrations accompany the simple text as each spread introduces a different food. Some foods are linked to special occasions, such as matzo at a seder or apples with honey at New Year's. Others are described in combination with complementary foods: bagels with a schmear or "sufganiyot, stuffed with tasty jelly." Buckwheat appears in many of the spreads; speech bubbles share Buckwheat's comments in others. Readers will have fun pronouncing words such as "hamantaschen" or "kugel." Symbols related to Jewish traditions are also depicted, such as dreidels, a menorah, and Shabbat candles. As Buckwheat explains, these are all foods that "are yummy in our tummy" and mean love and family. Back matter includes a simple recipe for challah, as well as directions on how to make a braid or coil from the dough. VERDICT A fun counting book that also introduces elements of Jewish culture, helpful for families already sharing these treats or for those learning more about the cuisine.--Suzanne Costner