Good children’s books can make learning things like letters and numbers fun — and we were thrilled to find one that also adds a beautiful element of Jewish culture. It’s Uno Dos Tres: A Sephardic Counting Book, written by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Nathalie Belhassen, and published by our very own PJ Publishing.
This joyful book invites toddlers to count their way through fascinating papercut images of Sephardic treasures like oil candles, hand drums, and biskochos (traditional ring-shaped holiday cookies).
Along the way, kiddos are introduced to Ladino, the melodic blend of Spanish and Hebrew that Sephardic Jews (Jews of Spanish and Portuguese ancestry) have spoken for centuries. While the first few numbers (in the title) might look familiar from Spanish, readers will spot differences as the count grows higher.
We love the chance to share more Sephardic culture with PJ Library families — and Uno Dos Tres is a colorful, playful, and meaningful way for adults and even the youngest readers to celebrate it together.
More
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