cover image It’s a… It’s a… It’s a Mitzvah

It’s a… It’s a… It’s a Mitzvah

Liz Suneby and Diane Heiman, illus. by Laurel Molk. Jewish Lights, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-58023-509-9

Lively illustrations help convey the importance of doing a mitzvah (literally, God’s commandment, and more broadly understood as a good deed) in a feel-good volume introducing young readers to this fundamental Jewish concept. Mitzvah Meerkat accompanies bears, beavers, kangaroos, and other friendly creatures as they make the most of every opportunity to help each other and improve the world. As groups of animals resolve their problems, Mitzvah Meerkat cheers them on. When one zebra complains that another zebra is taking too long with the hula hoop, a third zebra chimes in that “there’s no need to start a fight. Give Zoe one more minute. You can have my turn.” The Meerkat then observes, “it’s a mitzvah to help make peace.” Pleasant dialogue and humorous illustrations provide clear-cut situations in which even the youngest participants can learn to do a mitzvah. Ages 3–6. (July)