The Mitzvah Fairy

by Danielle Joseph, Christine Battuz (Illustrator)

Overview

The Mitzvah Fairy wakes up early to spread joy. He fluffs his wings. Then he grabs his crown and wand. First stop: Bubbe and Zayde's house. Bubbe has the sniffles so the Mitzvah Fairy swoops in with chicken soup. "This will make you feel better, Bubbe," he says. Next, he zooms over to his neighbor's garden where he waters the plants and fills the birdfeeder. At the end of a busy day, the Mitzvah Fairy has one more thing to do―give his dad a great big hug. An author's note matches up the mitzvahs in the story with Jewish values.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798765626993
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Danielle Joseph is the author of numerous picture books and young adult novels, including the award-winning picture book I Want to Ride the Tap Tap. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa and now lives in Maryland with her family and dog Ringo. Danielle believes in the power of kindness and spreads joy wherever she can.

Christine Battuz studied drawing and painting in Italy. Her many illustrated children's books include Something New for Rosh Hashanah. Working internationally, she speaks both English and French. She lives in Quebec.

Editorial Reviews

"will be relevant to all families who encourage the joy of performing good deeds." —Sydney Taylor Shmooze

From the Publisher

2024-11-09
With a crown, wings, and a star wand, a young Jewish boy transforms into the Mitzvah Fairy.

After breakfast, the boy loads supplies into his wagon and leaves with his father and small gray dog to do good deeds for relatives and neighbors in need of cheering up. His bubbe (grandmother in Yiddish) has a case of the sniffles; she proclaims his chicken soup “delicious!” Mr. Gordon’s leg is in a cast, so the boy waters the plants and fills the bird feeder. The thoughtful child notices trash in the park and asks his dad, “Don’t we need to treat the earth with kindness too?” When his dad agrees, the two pick up the garbage and recycle what they can. The boy spots lost coins and asks if he can add them to the blue tzedakah box (a charity box, adorned with Hebrew letters). He also moves a ladybug to a safer spot where it can’t be harmed by pedestrians. Though many readers will appreciate this quiet, matter-of-fact tale of a young everyday hero doing his best, it’ll have special resonance for those familiar with Judaism. Featuring characters with oversize heads and textured backgrounds with cozy details, Battuz’s art sets a warm tone. Characters are light-skinned. The book concludes with a matching game and a list of Hebrew phrases for the Jewish values incorporated into the story.

A tale gently infused with kindness and compassion.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews