From award-win­ning author Lesléa New­man comes a shi­va sto­ry about grief and remem­brance, Jew­ish cul­ture and con­nec­tion, and learn­ing how to sup­port a friend.

Some­thing Sweet is a beau­ti­ful and touch­ing pic­ture book for 5 to 8 year-olds that han­dles the dif­fi­cult theme of death with grace, humor, and hon­esty.

Lizzie’s nev­er expe­ri­enced shi­va before. When she and her mom arrive at Joshua’s house, Lizzie is deter­mined to cheer up her friend who is mourn­ing the loss of his grand­fa­ther.

But Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usu­al puz­zles or mag­ic tricks. He miss­es his favorite bak­ing part­ner. As Lizzie par­tic­i­pates in the Jew­ish cus­toms of shi­va, she begins to learn a new mean­ing of friend­ship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is some­one to lis­ten.

Some­thing Sweet bal­ances themes of pro­cess­ing grief, expe­ri­enc­ing anoth­er cul­ture, and learn­ing how to be a good friend — and does so with ten­der care.