A chain of good deeds, a mitzvah chain, starts with one young boy’s spontaneous idea and soon a whole neighborhood is a happier, livelier, more productive place than ever before. As each neighbor has a problem solved, he or she sees how easy it is to help another and the circle of kindness keeps going ’round and ’round.
The lesson is basic but the presentation is not didactic or preachy; it is shown with sparkle and glee. The illustrations add to the fun with deep color, expressive faces, and adorable animals on each page slyly observing the proceedings.
A brief paragraph at the end of the book tells the reader more about the concept of “mitzvah.”
Recommended for ages 3 – 8.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.
