MADDIE THE MITZVAH CLOWN

Name: MADDIE THE MITZVAH CLOWN
Author: Karen Rostoker-Gruber
ISBN: 978-1-68115-523-4

by Karen Rostoker-Gruber ; illustrated by Christine Grove ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2017

Describing a different way to give back to the community (and help oneself), this cheery outing should not be confined to...

bookshelf

Maddie, a young mouse, loses her shyness when she realizes that she can make others laugh.

She sees the joy on Grandma’s friends’ faces as Giggles the Mitzvah Clown performs at their senior home. He includes Maddie as he makes balloon hats, entertains with juggling, songs, and dances, and, most importantly, talks with everyone. She asks: “Can shy mice become mitzvah clowns?” and Giggles assures her that anyone can learn. Initially mostly gray-toned, the paintings with collage elements include more and more bits of color as Giggles introduces Maddie to the tools of the trade (balloons, rainbow wig, red nose), changing to full color as she takes on her new role. She dons a red wig, pink tutu, and purple, squeaking shoes, names herself “Squeakers,” and begins her visits. Her confidence buoyed by her activities in disguise, she finally makes the biggest change of all: she speaks as Maddie herself to Grandma’s friends. What seems like a didactic story improves along the way as the engaging illustrations involve readers and Maddie’s transformation takes place. In real life, young people (usually teens) can learn to be mitzvah clowns and bring joy to others in this special way. This activity and other ways to do good deeds are described in “A Note to Families,” but no specific references are provided.

Describing a different way to give back to the community (and help oneself), this cheery outing should not be confined to its Jewish context. (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-68115-523-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Apples & Honey Press

Review Posted Online: Jan. 31, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
A CROWDED FARMHOUSE FOLKTALE
by Karen Rostoker-Gruber ; illustrated by Kristina Swarner

- BOOK REVIEW
FARMER KOBI'S HANUKKAH MATCH
by Karen Rostoker-Gruber & Rabbi Ron Isaacs ; illustrated by C.B. Decker

- BOOK REVIEW
FERRET FUN
by Karen Rostoker-Gruber & illustrated by Paul Rátz de Tagyos

bookshelf

DEEP IN THE SAHARA

by Kelly Cunnane ; illustrated by Hoda Hadadi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 8, 2013

Poetic language, attractive illustrations and a positive message about Islam, without any didacticism: a wonderful...

bookshelf

Lalla, a little Mauritanian girl, gets her heart’s desire when she shows her mother that her faith is important to her.

Lalla sees her mother, her big sister, Selma, her cousin Aisha, her grandmother and all the other women in her West African town all wrapped in malafa, the colorful veils that wrap from head to toe. She wants to look beautiful and grown-up too, but each female family member tells her that wearing the malafa is more important than beauty, mystery, being a mature woman and even tradition. When Lalla figures out for herself that the malafa is central to the religious practice of Muslim women in her region, then her mother joyously wraps her in “a malafa / as blue as the Sahara sky / as blue as the ink in the Koran / as blue as a stranger’s eye.” The author notes that she changed her opinion regarding the wearing of veils for religious reasons when she lived in Mauritania and wrote this book to share the joy she observed. The collage illustrations done by an Iranian artist show the colorful cloths of “lime and mango,” the beautiful women wearing the veils in different ways and the details of the houses.

Poetic language, attractive illustrations and a positive message about Islam, without any didacticism: a wonderful combination. (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-375-87034-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random

Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
CHIRCHIR IS SINGING
by Kelly Cunnane & illustrated by Jude Daly

- BOOK REVIEW
FOR YOU ARE A KENYAN CHILD
by Kelly Cunnane & illustrated by Ana Juan

bookshelf

THE EIGHTH MENORAH

by Lauren L. Wohl ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 4, 2013

bookshelf

This evenly paced story explores a common dilemma in Jewish families—that of multiple menorahs—and gives a little boy the opportunity to do some independent problem-solving.

One more menorah may be just one too many for Sam’s household, and at Hebrew school, Sam complains about the menorah-making activity. “My family has seven menorahs! Maybe I can make something else.” Undaunted, the teacher encourages Sam to make one anyway, so Sam resolves to give it to Grammy. Grammy’s weekly phone call reveals that Hanukkah will be quite different in her new building, as open flames are not permitted in the apartments—just in the community room. Even so, everybody just uses the electric menorah. After some reflection, Sam decides his newly created menorah will be the perfect Hanukkah surprise for his grandmother and her condo neighbors, and on the first night, he gives it to her so she can share it and light it in the community room with her friends. Childlike illustrations in muted soft colors depict a particularly appealing Hebrew school classroom and a modern elderly city dweller in striped socks and pink slippers. The dialogue-heavy text is delightfully natural: “Nuh uh,” Sam replies during a guessing game with Grammy. Sam and his Grammy are a simpatico pair, one readers of all ages will be able to relate to. (Picture book. 5-7)