Baila has an important job in her European Jewish community: she is the klopper, the one who wakes the sleepy townspeople up and ensures that they rise in time for their early-morning prayers. Despite the playfulness of her signature rhyming couplets, Baila takes her job — and the morning prayers — seriously. Since no one is eager to wake up and begin the day, Baila devises an ingenious scheme designed to get each of them up and out. She pits the residents against each other to satisfy all their needs and wishes.
Bright, colorful illustrations depict a small town and its lively inhabitants. An author’s note provides further information about the klopper’s significance and includes photographs of small-town Europe during the early 1900s.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.
