Listen Sh'ma

Author Alyson Solomon and illustrator Bryony Clarkson, the same team who created Thank You: Modeh Ani, are back with the equally lovely picture book Listen: Sh'ma. The cover with its sweet sleepyheads tucked into beds against a starry sky (continued on the end papers) lets us know that this is a bedtime story. A note in the front tells us that sh'ma means "listen" in Hebrew and the book is inspired by the Jewish prayer about oneness and love, traditionally said before going to sleep (as well as in the morning and on other occasions).
The book breaks down the word sh'ma into its individual soothing sounds and relates them to a young child's comforting bedtime routine: a warm bath, fresh jammies, cuddles, and many more moments of calm and contentment. The various families' collective voices send prayers and songs for peace and love out into the night and the universe.
The simple, yet lyrical, text is appropriate for the youngest readers. The brightly-colored and appealing art, a combination of cut-paper collage, acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencil, complement the text well. If you look closely, you will see that the illustrator also breaks down the word sh'ma into its individual letters—shin, mem, ayin—and floats them on the pages. The book includes characters of different skin tones, ethnicities, abilities, and ages.
In the back matter, the author—a rabbi—offers an interpretation of the prayer's meaning and an understanding that its meaning might evolve as we do. She explains that the sounds of the world around us are echoed in the word sh'ma. We just need to listen closely. The book concludes with a literal translation of the prayer.
Jewish content is an integral part of this story, as the Jewish prayer "Sh'ma Israel" forms the core of this book. The author has done an excellent job of tying together family bedtime rituals with the sounds and meaning of this prayer. Since this book is written in an uncomplicated, clear manner and provides reader-friendly explanation in the back matter, it is accessible to non-Jewish readers, although Jewish readers will have a particular interest in Listen: Sh'ma. This book will be a welcome addition to a Jewish preschool classroom, synagogue collection, or a home library.—Belinda Brock, The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

The sh’ma is the foundational prayer of the Jewish people. It is the first prayer a child learns because it embodies the love and emotional attachment to G-d by every Jew on his own level. It is as accessible to the young child as it is to the adult. We are commanded to teach it to our children every day when we "lie down and rise up" so that it becomes a constant reminder of the absolute unity of G-d in our religion.

Rabbi Alyson Solomon cleverly introduces the sh’ma to children in her latest picture book, Listen Sh’ma. "Sh’ma" literally means "listen" or "hear." Solomon stretches out the sounds of the sh’ma and links them to the sounds and feelings of familiar bedtime rituals. The first syllable "shhh" shows children over several pages splashing in a warm bath, zipping into fresh jammies, enjoying bedtime stories, and warm milk. "Mmmm" is the sound of belly breaths and hugs right before sleep. "Ahhh" is the "sound of smiling joyfully, in bed at last" and "stretching long legs under cozy covers." Solomon invites the lap sit reader to both hear and feel this important prayer that has implicit in it "the sound of singing songs of love and prayers for peace."

The beautiful illustrations by Bryony Clarkson were created using a combination of cut paper collage, acrylic and watercolor paint, and color pencil. They perfectly complement the author’s message of calm, joy and love. The characters in each spread represent a cultural mix of humanity (including an adult in a wheelchair) that underscores the universality of the sh’ma.

Listen, Sh’ma can be paired with Rabbi Solomon’s previous picture book, Thank You: Modeh Ani. Both are essential purchases for all homes with young children and school and synagogue libraries.—Association of Jewish Libraries

The Sh'ma is one of the oldest and most foundational prayers of the Jewish religion. It implores us to listen. "Listen Sh'ma" by author Rabbi Alyson Solomon and artist/illustrator Bryony Clarkson provides a gentle introduction for young Jewish children to help them sound out the very beginning of the prayer and to begin to glimpse its meaning. By slowing down the first word (shhh, mmm, ahhh) this quiet picture book helps them hear the sounds of the world around us and within us.

Ideal as a bedtime read, "Listen Sh'ma" from Apples & Honey Press is a very highly recommended and enduringly popular pick for Jewish families, daycare centers, preschool, and community library bed-time picture book collections for children ages 2-4.—Midwest Book Review