"At the Synagogue by Dia L. Michels is part of this publisher's Look What I See! Where Can I Be? series for young children. Big, colorful photos and minimal text lead us through Jewish holidays and lifecycle events through the eyes of a young toddler."
-Diana Brement
Books in Brief, JT News (the voice of Jewish Washington)
May 27, 2005 www.jtnews.com
"Baby, the doll, goes everywhere with her family--the author, her husband and their three children. Baby is always seeing some interesting Jewish ritual object, at first alone and then in context of its use at a holiday celebration, in a classroom, or in the synagogue. Baby and the reader observe and learn through richly colored and detailed photographs in these settings of a modern, liberal Jewish family enjoying their traditions. Sometimes Baby is hard to find, but she’s always there somewhere in the picture. A pleasant and realistic picture book for the very young, this is the fifth in the "Look What I See! Where Can I Be!" series."
-Judy Chernak
Children's Literature www.ChildrensLit.com
"A drowsy toddler opens her eyes and sees a Kiddush cup, a shofar, a lulav, and etrog, a Torah, a menora, a havdala candle in Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue by Dia L. Michels (photographs by Michael J.N. Bowles. Platypus Media, 32 pp. $16.95). Sharp color photographs and a simple text highlight the relevance of the objects to the Jewish communal life of the child and her family."
-Hadassah Magazine, December 2003
"This bright, simple book offers a glimpse at some important symbols of Jewish life. A small, square photo on a right-hand page shows an object associated with Jewish tradition--a Torah or a braided candle, for example. Opposite are a few words that encourage children to turn the page, where they will find a bustling double-spread scene in which the object again appears: a sanctuary with people crowded around a Torah that is open for reading; a braided candle being lit to mark the weekly Havdalah service. the idea is good, and the photos are warm and winning, each one showing the curious toddler-narrator participating in the ceremony."
-Stephanie Zvirin
Booklist October 2003
"The collaborative effort of author Dia L. Michels and photographer Michael J. N. Bowles, Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At The Synagogue is part of a highly recommended series of picturebooks written with the unique twist of being told from a baby's point of view. The two-page spreads alternate between a close-up segment of a photograph, and then the whole photograph which puts the intriguing close-up into context. A visual joy to page through, Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At The Synagogue uses this unique format to celebrate Jewish life, faith, and education."
-Midwest Book Review November 2003
"At the Synagogue, the fifth book in the playful Look What I See! series, might be a lovely Hanukkah gift for the whole family. Through the book's intriguing guessing-game format, local author Dia Michels takes youngsters inside a synagogue to learn about a Jewish wedding, Friday night services and holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Simchat Torah. Full-color photographs by Michael Bowles register both details and emotions as the author's three children participate in the ceremonies. A glossary entitled "About Jewish Life" makes this an especially noteworthy book for parents and educators hoping to acquaint youngsters with different cultures and religions."
-Mary Quattlebaum
Washington Parent
"Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue is a warm and vibrant journey through the symbols and traditions that a Jewish youngster will experience. This is a perfect book for librarians, educators and parents to use as an introduction to the variety of rituals embraced by Judaism for children of all faiths."
-Brett Isserow, Senior Rabbi
Temple Beth El Hebrew, Alexandria, VA
"This is a perfect book for the current time. Knowledge breeds tolerance and Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue presents knowledge in a most engaging manner. It is an excellent resource for classroom teachers. This is the kind of non-fiction material that piques a child's interest. The educational notes at the end are superb allowing teachers to support the reading experience. And, like all Platypus Media children's books, the Activity Guide is teeming with add-on material. The Guide is an invaluable resource for teachers."
-Maryam Abdul-Tawwab, Teacher
Watkins Elementary School, Washington, DC
"The fifth book in the series, In The Synagogue continues the Look What I See!tradition of using stunning photographs and simple text to share the joys of family life. In this book, the family spends a week in autumn in and around the Synagogue, partaking in holidays, festivals, life-cycle events, education and worship services. This book belongs in every school and library interested in exposing children to different cultures, traditions and religions."
-Debora Spivak, Instructional Specialist
New York City Public Schools, NY
"What I really appreciate about this book is that it exposes children to Jewish family life. So many books that seek to introduce kids to Judaism do so by sharing holiday traditions -- but what happens between holidays is just as important! By using the format of a baby's experiences day after day, Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue expresses the concept that you are Jewish every day of the year."
-Rabbi Daniel Price
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, Livingston, NJ
