Category: Jewish Representation

Review: Can Sophie Change The World?

~ Devyn ~ Leave a comment

If you’re looking for a picture book about kindness, I have the perfect pick for you today. Can Sophie Change the World? by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace and Aura Lewis is a sweet picture book that celebrates empathy, kindness, and the Jewish tradition of mitzvahs.

Title: Can Sophie Change the World?
Author: Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Illustrator: Aura Lewis
Published: March 8, 2022
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Format: Picture Book

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Can Sophie Change the World? follows a young girl named Sophie who is trying to give her Grandpop the only birthday gift he wants; for her to change the world with mitzvahs. Sophie performs a mitzvah every day, but she doesn’t feel like she has changed the world. On his birthday, Grandpop helps her see the impact every small act of kindness can have on the world.

The illustrations by Aura Lewis are wonderfully bright and cheerful. The powerful lesson of positivity make Can Sophie Change the World? a timeless read, but the pastel color palette absolutely makes it feel like the perfect pick for a quiet spring afternoon.

Can Sophie Change the World? officially releases tomorrow (March 8, 2022), but you can preorder your copy today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Chronicle Books for sending me a review copy of Can Sophie Change the World?. I know I’ll be reading this to my little one for years to come for lessons on kindness and empathy.

About The Author:

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace is the creator of more than 20 books for children. She lives in Connecticut. To learn more about Nancy and her books, please visit www.nancyelizabethwallace.com.

About The Illustrator:

Aura Lewis is an author-illustrator of such titles as Gloria’s Voice, The Illustrated Feminist, and We the People. She lives in New York. Visit her at www.auralewis.com.

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The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought For Justice With Art

~ Devyn ~ 1 Comment

Did you know that today is World Art Day? Declared a holiday in 2012 by the International Association of Art, World Art Day is a day dedicated to celebrating art and creativity internationally. So in honor of this day, I want to share The People’s Painter by Cynthia Levinson with you all today.

This wonderful picture book biography details the life of Ben Shahn, a Jewish artist, immigrant, and activist who used his discerning sense of justice and artistic talent to bring awareness to social issues throughout his career – issues such as the executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti in 1927, the struggles of rural Americans during the Great Depression, and much more.

Beginning with his childhood in Lithuania, where Ben’s father was banished for demanding worker’s rights, The People’s Painter teaches young readers about Ben Shahn’s passion for justice. Following his immigration to America, we learn the ways Ben Shahn pushed back against his teachers’ ideas of art. The People’s Painter is not only educational, but a great resource to encourage children to expose injustice and stand up for marginalized communities the same way Ben Shahn did — by finding their voice and following it.

The illustrations by Evan Turk feature bold expressive paintings, drawing parallels to Shahn’s work, creating the perfect backdrop for his story.

The People’s Painter officially releases next week (April 20, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Cynthia Levinson is the author of The Youngest Marcher, and the winner of both the Crystal Kite and Carter G. Woodson awards. Please visit her website at cynthialevinson.com to learn more about her and her work.

Evan Turk is an author, animator, and Ezra Jack Keats Book Award–winning illustrator. To learn more about him and his work, please visit his website at evanturk.squarespace.com.

I would like to thank Abrams Books For Young Readers for providing me a copy of this wonderful book. I can’t think of a better title for World Art Day, and I’m so honored to share Ben Shahn’s story with you all today.

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