Overview

From award-winning author Lesléa Newman comes a shiva story about grief and remembrance, Jewish culture and connection, and learning how to support a friend. Something Sweet is a beautiful and touching picture book for 5 to 8 year-olds that handles the difficult theme of death with grace, humor, and honesty. Lizzie’s never experienced shiva before. When she and her mom arrive at Joshua’s house, Lizzie is determined to cheer up her friend who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. But Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usual puzzles or magic tricks. He misses his favorite baking partner. As Lizzie participates in the Jewish customs of shiva, she begins to learn a new meaning of friendship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is someone to listen. Something Sweet balances themes of processing grief, experiencing another culture, and learning how to be a good friend—and does so with tender care.

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9781623545710

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Reviews

A child helps a friend grapple with the loss of a relative. Lizzie’s mother is making brownies to take to Joshua’s house; Joshua’s grandfather has just died, and, as Mom explains, he and his family are sitting shiva, the Jewish period of mourning. At Joshua’s home, people explain various customs to Lizzie, like ritual handwashing and covering mirrors. Though informative, these moments sometimes feel a bit clunky, clearly intended to educate readers unfamiliar with shiva rather than advance the narrative. Rabbi Sarah arrives to lead prayers and hold space for the family to share stories about Joshua’s grandpa. The family’s dog, Queenie, provides moments of levity, keeping the serious topic from becoming overwhelming and demonstrating that it’s OK to laugh even amid grief. After, Lizzie sits with Joshua while he cries and recalls his grandfather telling him to nosh on something sweet every day, because life shouldn’t be bitter. Joshua decides to eat two brownies—one for himself, and one for his grandpa—representing the sweetness that exists even in times of sorrow. Newman handles the complexity of loss with care and authenticity in an age-appropriate way. Rich’s muted, expressive watercolors are well suited to the gently solemn tone of the story. Lizzie and Mom are brown-skinned, while Joshua and his family are lighter-skinned; their community is diverse. A sensitive introduction to grief and to Jewish mourning rituals. —Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Lesléa Newman has written more than 70 books and anthologies, including Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Massachusetts. Sarita Rich is the illustrator of Havdalah Sky: A Poem for the End of Shabbat; Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour; and Hypnosis Harry. She is from northern Alaska and currently lives in Hawaii. www.saritarich.com

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