We love the intergenerational aspect of this story. Naomi and her grandmother have a lot to teach one another, and Naomi's cousins all help Bubbe prepare as well. Bubbe also tells Naomi about the evolution of bat mitzvahs, adding an incredible and fascinating historical aspect to their story. Overall, we cannot recommend this book enough. It's a sweet, touching way to honor and appreciate Bat Mitzvahs and family members of every age.
In celebration of Bubbe's Belated Bat Mitzvah, we've included a book trailer and guest post from the author below! Pick up a copy for your family here or at your local Judaica store!
"I never intended to write a children’s book – it happened
quite by accident.
My mother, Esther Silverman, at the age of 95 was studying
to become a Bat Mitzvah when I was asked if I would write a children’s story
about the event. My “instructions” were
to include a multi-generational theme and of course the Bat Mitzvah
itself. I am a preschool librarian and
I’ve read hundreds of picture books over the years and I can sense when a story
will entice and engage. Keeping those
story elements in mind, I decided to give it a try.
The first draft was very sentimental – no, that wouldn’t
do. I rewrote it and asked a Middle
School English teacher for her thoughts; it still wasn’t right. I went back to the keyboard for another
rewrite and this time I asked an established author for her opinion. She was
very direct, but I was not comfortable with her writing style criticisms. After thinking about the story again, I
suddenly found my own voice. Yes, I
would write the story from a young girl’s point of view, in this case a
great-granddaughter. Let Bubbe explain
the “evolution” of Bat Mitzvah of the women in the child’s family! Let the child dream about this event for
Bubbe! Let Bubbe imagine herself as a
Bat Mitzvah! And of course, let all the
great-grandchildren take part! The
illustrator, Valeria Cis, captured all these scenes in vibrant, expressive
illustrations.
My mother, on the other hand, has a different story to tell
of her Bat Mitzvah experience. While
reluctant at first to even consider such an idea, she pondered it and she
decided to give it a try. The studying,
at the very least, would keep her mind sharp.
She was, in the end, pleasantly surprised. She was affected by the remarkable young
women in her class. Many were Jews by
Choice, all juggling family and professional obligations at the same time. They
came with a curiosity, a modern world outlook and an intense spirituality. Esther
came to the group with all the values of a traditional Jewish upbringing,
living a full, rich, Jewish life. She tenderly
imparted so much to the group – her Jewish knowledge, her hands-on “recipe” for
Jewish living, and the wisdom of her years.
She was a wonderful role model for each and every woman in the
class. On their Bat Mitzvah day, not
only did these women prove their Jewish learning to all their family and
friends, but they gracefully showed their respect for each other. What a wonderful example for Bubbe’s grandchildren
and great-grandchildren to emulate!
Mazal Tov to Bubbe and to the b’not mitzvah on this
milestone!"
