Out and About: A Tale of Giving

by Liza Wiemer, Margeaux Lucas (Illustrator)

Overview

In this inspiring story, we follow Daniel as he tries to find out where his parents are going and what’s inside the mysterious boxes they’re carrying. Daniel’s imagination runs wild—could there be a new baseball and glove inside? A giant birthday cake? A new toy car? As it turns out Daniel learns much more than what’s in those boxes—he learns the true meaning of giving. This universal message is a beautiful way to share Jewish traditions with all readers. A note explains the concept of tzedakah and addresses what it means to give and how to give in a way to respect those we want to help.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798986396545
Publisher:	Kalaniot Books
Publication date:	08/15/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.93(w) x 10.97(h) x 0.34(d)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Liza Wiemer is an award-winning educator with over twenty years of teaching experience. Her second young adult novel, The Assignment, was published by Delacorte Press and has received numerous honors, including being named a 2021 Sydney Taylor Notable Book. To date, The Assignment has also been published in Russian, Polish, Italian, and Korean. Liza has had two adult nonfiction books published and several short stories included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. A graduate of UW-Madison, Liza has two married sons and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, Jim.Illustrator, Margeaux Lucas, is based in New York. Her work has been used in books, plays, posters, greeting cards, jewelry, games, and toys.

Editorial Reviews

2023-05-24
Daniel becomes curious about his parents’ mysterious early morning outings.

After observing his parents carrying boxes in the snow on several occasions, Daniel asks his mother and his older siblings, Ezra and Leah. He’s told that his parents “went out and about.” Not satisfied with this vague answer, Daniel is determined to discover the truth, but after overhearing a conversation between his neighbor Mrs. Cohen, who recently lost her job, and his mother, he realizes that his parents have been secretly leaving the Cohens food and other necessities before the weekly Shabbat observance. Daniel remembers a time when his grandmother was ill and a box of treats was left on the family’s porch without a card; his mother explained, “Surprise acts of kindness are the best.” The Maimonides quote that opens the book—“Giving is most blessed when the donor remains completely anonymous”—feels particularly fitting now as Daniel joins his father early the next morning, carrying a box to the Cohens’ porch with a simple note: “Shabbat Shalom.” Though simple, the story imparts an important lesson, one that young people will easily pick up on. Soft, lovely illustrations depict an observant Jewish home with several Judaic objects prominently displayed amid snowy winter suburban scenes. The author’s note explains that Maimonides was a 12th-century rabbi known for his “eight levels of Tzedakah,” or giving. Characters are tan-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A beautiful and thoughtful message woven into a brief yet poignant story. (Picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews