Grandma Rose's Magic

February 15, 2012
Can sewing make magic? Yes, if it's done by kind-hearted Grandma Rose. Every day she sews, and every day she saves to buy a beautiful set of dishes, just like the ones her grandmother used on Shabbos. She sews for everyone: a skirt for Mrs. Feldman, a blue tablecloth for Mrs. Cooper, a hat for Mrs. Segal and a shirt for Mr. Cohen. For each item, she stitches something extra (rose-shaped buttons for the skirt, a set of napkins for the tablecloth and so on), as if by magic. When her jar of coins reaches $200, she goes to the store to buy the pretty pink-and-red-rose dishes with blue-and-gold trim. Oh no, the department store does not have them! Sadly, she uses her money to buy food for a special meal and returns home. Surprise! Each of the people for whom she sewed is there, holding a piece of her beloved china. The attractive illustrations (reminiscent of Emma Chichester Clark) add Jewish references to situate the story firmly within its community. A well-stitched tale about generosity for people of all faiths. (Picture book. 4-7)

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February 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-Grandma Rose sews wonderful clothing and linens for her friends and family. The grateful recipients comment on the surprise touches she always adds to her pieces, but she just says, "Must be magic." She saves the money she earns to buy a set of pretty dishes like the ones her own grandmother used on Shabbos (the Jewish sabbath). A moment of crisis comes when the dishes are no longer available at the department store, but she arrives home to find that her family has bought her the coveted china and has gathered to celebrate her generosity. This is a pleasant (if somewhat saccharine) story, but children hoping for a tale of magic will be disappointed. Those seeking Jewish content may also be disappointed to find it limited to that one mention of Shabbos, although Grandma Rose could be used as an example of "a woman of valor." Bright, cheerful paintings in a mildly retro style show an iconic grandmother, complete with half-moon glasses and white bun. All in all, this is a rather girly story both thematically and visually, and the lack of any real action may limit its appeal.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2012
Preschool-G Grandma Rose works wonders with a needle and thread, often surprising friends and neighbors with handmade gifts. When she does jobs for paying customers, whether hemming a skirt or making a wedding tablecloth, she always adds a little something extra. Must be magic, she says. Saving for a special set of dishes like ones she remembers from Shabbos as a child, Rose is chagrined to discover the coveted dishes are no longer in the department store. But the magic she sowed has a way of coming back, and the community bonds together to reward Rose's kindness. Jatkowska's bright, splashy drawings are filled with patterned fabrics and introduce children to the accoutrements of the tradean old-fashioned Singer machine, wooden spools of thread, dress patterns, and a dressmaker's form, all of which may excuse the dated portrayal of the white-haired, pince-nez-wearing granny. Children and grandmothers alike will enjoy the satisfying if predictable ending to this feel-good story where generosity is a two-way street.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)