Rabbi RocketPower in the Media

Vive Magazine, Nov./Dec. 2008

Rabbi Rocketpower and the Mystery of the Missing Menoarahs: A Hannukah Humdinger (Oak Leaf Systems, $9.95), written by Rabbi Susan Abramson and Aaron Dvorkin, is an exciting illustrated children's mystery that the whole family can enjoy together. The book's comic-book like illustrations by Ariel DiOrio are the icing on top of the cake. Special bonus features include easy, scrumptious recipes for latkas and sufganiyot, as well as instructions for the dreidel game.

The Reporter, November 7, 2008

"Abramson does an excellent job melding the Judaic lessons with the funny and nonsensical plots"

See the full review ...   http://www.thereportergroup.org/article.aspx?aID=575

The Newsletter of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL), Sept/Oct 2008

For children who prefer the ease of reading comic books or watching TV to the more cerebral pleasure of reading good books, this humorous story about a family of superheroes is just the ticket.  And for teachers in Jewish schools with time between lessons to fill with something both educational and entertaining, it will be welcome.  It’s about a family of Jewish superheroes and their surly cat, Purr, who fight evil.  The villains are some rodents from outer space who steal all of the hanukkiyot in the neighborhood just as Hanukkah is beginning.  Its authors are quick with the quips and puns so the simple story bubbles with the kind of obvious yucks that kids are accustomed to from Disney movies and cartoons.  Folded into the story is some information about Hanukkah and following it are some recipes, instructions for playing the dreidel game, and a glossary.  The black and white illustrations are a good match for the writing, being simple, undemanding, and a little goofy.  Like many books inspired by comics, Rabbi Rocketpower…is unlikely to expand a child’s horizons or arouse anyone’s curiosity about the wider world but it does provide some wholesome fun.

Linda R. Silver, Cleveland, OH

The Mensch family are Jewish superheroes.  Mom’s a rabbi who flies (“Oy, vay! Up, up and away!) and saves the day with her shofar and yad.  Her son Aaron discovers the problems for mom to solve.  Dad, a computer scientist, helps out with his weird inventions.  Purr is their arrogant talking cat whose escapades provide an excuse for the family to explain Jewish customs and observances.  After a witty comic strip opening that introduces the family, the story unfolds:  Aliens called Trayfinators, who speak and walk backwards, and do the reverse of what we do as Jews – e.g. they blow out their Shabbat candles – have invaded the Temple’s Oneg Shabbat and are adding ham to the challah and bacon bits to the chocolate chip cookies.  With everyone’s help, the Mensch family saves Shabbat.  While an adult may tire of the repetitive humor motif, this is a funny, lively book for youngsters; Rabbi Abramson’s son is a co-author, and the illustrations are done by a senior in high school.  Challah recipes, gender-neutral Shabbat prayers, and a glossary of Jewish words are included.  While the story presents a joyful attitude toward the celebration of Shabbat, the explanations of Jewish observance include no mention of commandments to do them as mitzvot. 

Susan Berson, Denver, CO

From a "fan email" ...

So creative!  Great stuff!  I am going to be buying more copies to donate to our Temple lending library if I get the “ok” from the librarian.
 
How soon can you come up with more???  We need the whole series!
 
Happy Hannukah to you and your family.

Miriam M