Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- Grandma Rose's Magic by Linda Elovitz Mashall (Review)

 

Series: Shabbat

ISBN-10: 0-7613-5215-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-7613-5215-0

Pages: 32
Trim Size: 10 5/8 x 8 7/8
Reading Level: 2

Interest Level: PreK-2
Ages: 3-8

Buy now for only $13.46.  

Summary:

Every day Grandma Rose sews and every day she saves – for a set of beautiful dishes with pink and red roses and blue trim. And whenever she sews, something magical happens. A tale of generosity rewarded.

 

My Thoughts:

 "Must be magic!" is repeated throughout this story, as Grandma Rose surprises family and friends with shirts, skirts, bedspreads, blankets and so much more.  As people came to pick up their finished sewing product from Grandma Rose, they would pay her in change, which she would then keep in a jar.  Once she filled the jar, she counted it and had $200.  Grandma Rose headed to the bank to cash in her change for dollars.  She was hoping to use this money earned to buy dishes she saw at a big retailer that reminded her of her grandparent's.  But, when she arrived at the store, the dinner set was gone.  Not wanting to let her money go to waste, she picked up a bounty of food at the market and brought it home.  When she opened the door, she was greeted by everyone who she touched their lives and brought them together, through her magical sewing.  And, what did they each have in their hands?  -- an item from the dinner set she was saving up to buy.  Even though this book is written for Jewish children in mind, it can be enjoyed by families of all faiths, as it shares and important lesson in generosity.

It is not often that you find a book whose main character is a grandmother.  But, I enjoyed reading this book to Savannah, and seeing how this Grandma brought everyone together through her sewing.  The illustrations by Ag Jatkowska is beautifully done and really add to this heartwarming story.  This book will be read over and over again in our home, as my daughters get older.

About the Author:

Linda Elovitz Marshall raised her four children, a small flock of sheep, lots of zucchinis and countless rabbits on a farm in a historic farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River in upstate New York. A graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University, she has, in addition to writing and farming, taught early childhood and parenting education, owned a bookstore, taught English to people from other countries, and invented giftware. She likes inventing things – from toys to new words.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review. The views above are mine and mine alone.