Something Sweet
Lesléa Newman, author
Lesléa Newman has written more than 70 books and anthologies, including Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Massachusetts.
Read more about Lesléa.
Sarita Rich, illustrator
Sarita Rich is the illustrator of Havdalah Sky: A Poem for the End of Shabbat; Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour; and Hypnosis Harry. She is from northern Alaska and currently lives in Hawaii. www.saritarich.com
Read more about Sarita.
- Coming soon!
Kirkus Reviews
A child helps a friend grapple with the loss of a relative.
Lizzie’s mother is making brownies to take to Joshua’s house; Joshua’s grandfather has just died, and, as Mom explains, he and his family are sitting shiva, the Jewish period of mourning. At Joshua’s home, people explain various customs to Lizzie, like ritual handwashing and covering mirrors. Though informative, these moments sometimes feel a bit clunky, clearly intended to educate readers unfamiliar with shiva rather than advance the narrative. Rabbi Sarah arrives to lead prayers and hold space for the family to share stories about Joshua’s grandpa. The family’s dog, Queenie, provides moments of levity, keeping the serious topic from becoming overwhelming and demonstrating that it’s OK to laugh even amid grief. After, Lizzie sits with Joshua while he cries and recalls his grandfather telling him to nosh on something sweet every day, because life shouldn’t be bitter. Joshua decides to eat two brownies—one for himself, and one for his grandpa—representing the sweetness that exists even in times of sorrow. Newman handles the complexity of loss with care and authenticity in an age-appropriate way. Rich’s muted, expressive watercolors are well suited to the gently solemn tone of the story. Lizzie and Mom are brown-skinned, while Joshua and his family are lighter-skinned; their community is diverse.
A sensitive introduction to grief and to Jewish mourning rituals.
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-571-0
Ages: 5–8
Page count: 32
11 x 81/2
Publication date: March 24, 2026



