"The busy Siegels each have a consistent and well-drawn personality, as well as having some silly traits, and showing a grandmother with dementia. They share joy, laughter, and love, along with an appreciation of Jewish foods and holiday celebrations all around the dining table..."
Read the full Jewish Book Council review HERE
"In “Once Upon an Apple Cake,” the children’s book debut for author Elana Rubinstein, you get a zany, charming story of the meaning of family and the strength of Jewish tradition. Not to mention a terrific recipe, too."
"In this humor-filled, heartwarming chapter book, readers meet Saralee, an endearing 10-year-old Jewish girl whose cute-looking nose possesses the unusual superpower to sniff out scents and flavors. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, Saralee, whose family owns a restaurant, is excited to bake her zayde’s (grandfather in Yiddish) popular apple cake with a mystery ingredient that even Saralee can’t figure out. Trouble lay ahead when a new family opens a restaurant and threatens to take over the apple cake business..."
Read the full JTA review HERE
"Saralee narrates her own tale in lively, direct language that emphasizes her kind, pragmatic, and earnest nature. Her multigenerational family (Zadie, Bubbie, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but evidently no parents for Saralee) is secure in their Jewish traditions, accepting of one another’s eccentricities, and genuinely loving..."
check out the full Kirkus Review HERE