PPBF: Maddie the Mitzvah Clown by Karen Rostoker-Gruber (Art by Christine Grove)

Title: Maddie the Mitvah Clown

Written By:  Karen Rostoker-Gruber

Illustrated By: Christine Grove

Published By: Apples & Honey Press, 2016
                           A division of Berman House and
                           Gefen Publishing House

Genre: Fiction 

Suitable For Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: Overcoming Shyness / Commandments (Judaism) 

Opening:  

Maddie was shy. So shy, that she felt she couldn't ask the waiter for extra cheese at her favorite restaurant.  

So shy, that she couldn't raise her hand at school, even if she knew the answer. 

And when she went to visit Grandma at the senior home, she couldn't talk to Grandma's friends. 

Brief Synopsis: From the publisher: Shy Maddie discovers that with the right costume and training from Giggles the Clown, she can make Grandma and her friends at the nursing home laugh. 

Why I Like This Book: I absolutely love both the story and art portrayed in this book and recommend it highly for children of any religion. Maddie has a universal problem and finds an absolutely clever and inspiring way to over come her character flaw. She is a believable and engaging character who many children will be able to identify with. While this satisfying and brightly-illustrated story nods to the Jewish faith in that Maddie does a mitzvah (good deed done as a religious duty), the plot boils down to a child wanting to overcome her shyness and make her Grandmother and friends laugh. 

It is no surprise to me that PJ Library has recently commissioned 20,000 of this wonderful book to be shared with Jewish families across the U.S. It's an absolutely wonderful book and everyone should take the time to read it, Jewish or not! 

For MORE about Karen Rostoker-Gruber and her books, click here:
http://www.karenrostoker-gruber.com/about/

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.