Long ago in Jerusalem, bakers Esther and Ezra woke early each morning to make challah. “By the time the sun had come up, the couple had baked enough challah for all the families in Jerusalem to bless and eat at their Shabbat dinners.” Their young delivery boy, Jacob, would hitch their horse, Soosie, to the wagon and make his way throughout the city. “Clip-Clop” went Soosie’s hooves on the cobbles; “Clink-Clang” went the coins into the tin bank on the wagon to pay for the bread. On a morning Jacob is too sick to do the deliveries, he suggests they send Soosie on her own with the wagon full of bread and a note asking people to pay as usual. He’s sure Soosie has walked the route so many times she’ll know the way. “Clip-Clop”: Across the city Soosie makes her deliveries. “Clink-Clang”: People read Jacob’s note and put money in the tin bank. The delightful story with a folkloric feel is set in the early 20 ^th century and inspired by a famous bakery in Jerusalem. That history, and information about Jerusalem and Shabbat, are included in the end matter of a tale set against stylized illustrations. (Ages 4-8)

"Blessing the challah at the Friday night dinner signals the beginning of Shabbat. In the early 20th century, the city of Jerusalem is still a small town. Bakery owners Esther and Ezra bake the challahs before dawn on Friday mornings to be ready by daylight for delivery to Jewish families. Jacob, their reliable delivery boy, loads the cart, hitches up their horse, clicks his tongue to her, and off they go. Jacob and Soosie make several stops along the road for people waiting to select their loaves and place payment in a little tin bank affixed to the side of the cart, exchanging greetings of "Shabbat Shalom" as they go. One memorable Friday, Jacob is very sick, but he and the bakers are confident that Soosie can do the job on her own."--Provided by publisher.