Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to be Kosher by Laurel Snyder

A kosher pig? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

This book was provided to me by Random House Children's Books and the illustrator is David Goldin.

I found the idea intriguing. Even I know pork isn't kosher and I'm not Jewish.

Baxter is a curious pig. One day he is sitting on a bench waiting for the bus when the old man next to him mentions he can't wait for sundown because it was the beginning of Shabbat and they eat a special dinner. Then the man catches his bus and moves on.

Baxter thinks about this and heads back to the bus stop, hoping to meet the old man again. He doesn't, but he asks another man how he can be part of Shabbat. (Think of all that good food!) The man tells him that's impossible because he's not kosher. So Baxter goes on a quest to become kosher - by eating kosher foods!

Poor Baxter, pigs aren't kosher. But there is a special ending to this story that will make everyone smile.

Written for 4-8 year olds, this picture book is a good way to teach a young one about a different religion, or to let one who understands the religion have a good laugh. There is a glossary in back so it would be great to read aloud to a group and then discuss the meanings of the words in more depth at the end.

This book will be going on sale August 24th. Visit your local bookstore and pick up a copy. It's a cute, silly story that young ones will love.