International Educational Exchange: An Assessment of its Nature and its Prospects (Publications of the International Social Science Council, 18) - Hardcover

Klineberg, Otto

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1681155230 ISBN 13: 9781681155234

Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton, 1976

Synopsis

Join Maddie as she discovers her confidence when she decides to become a mitzvah clown in order to bring smiles to the faces of Grandma and Grandma s friends.
When Maddie sees Giggles the mitzvah clown perform at her Grandma s senior home, she decides to join in! She puts on a big red nose and learns how to make balloon animals, sing songs, and most importantly, bring smiles and happiness to Grandma and Grandma s friends. Along the way, Maddie learns how to overcome her shyness, too, and become a more confident and happy mouse.
A cheerful picture book, young readers will enjoy watching how the illustrations begin in black and white, and evolve into full and exuberant color as Maddie gains her confidence. A family note at the end includes discussion starters and a description of the Jewish values found in the tale.
'An Excellent read-aloud. The illustrations are as endearing as the story . . . Highly Recommended for ages 3-7.' The Jewish Book Council

About this title

About the Author

Karen Rostoker-Gruber is an award-winning children's book author and humorist. Her book Farmer Kobi s Hanukkah Match (with coauthor Rabbi Ron Isaacs) was a 2015 National Jewish Book Award Finalist. Karen is also a ventriloquist and performs with Maria, her puppet, in schools and libraries. She lives in New Jersey.

Christine Grove is an illustrator of children's books. She received her MFA in illustration at the end of 2011 and has been illustrating ever since. Christine lives in North Georgia with her family and her treasured collection of 2H pencils.

Review

Maddie, a young mouse, loses her shyness when she realizes that she can make others laugh.She sees the joy on Grandma's friends' faces as Giggles the Mitzvah Clown performs at their senior home. He includes Maddie as he makes balloon hats, entertains with juggling, songs, and dances, and, most importantly, talks with everyone. She asks: "Can shy mice become mitzvah clowns?" and Giggles assures her that anyone can learn. Initially mostly gray-toned, the paintings with collage elements include more and more bits of color as Giggles introduces Maddie to the tools of the trade (balloons, rainbow wig, red nose), changing to full color as she takes on her new role. She dons a red wig, pink tutu, and purple, squeaking shoes, names herself "Squeakers," and begins her visits. Her confidence buoyed by her activities in disguise, she finally makes the biggest change of all: she speaks as Maddie herself to Grandma's friends. What seems like a didactic story improves along the way as the engaging illustrations involve readers and Maddie's transformation takes place. In real life, young people (usually teens) can learn to be mitzvah clowns and bring joy to others in this special way. This activity and other ways to do good deeds are described in "A Note to Families," but no specific references are provided. A different way to give back to the community (and help oneself), this cheery outing should not be confined to its Jewish context. (Picture book. 5-7) --Kirkus Reviews

The sadness of shyness and the seriousness of mitzvot mix in a charming picture book. This warm animal tale introduces children to the kindness of visiting the aged...The ending is happiness all around: for Grandma and friends, for the Mitzvah Clown who tutored Maddie and mostly for Maddie who finds inner strength, self-confidence and the will to do good in the world. The illustrations are as happy, energetic and bouncy as the characters they portray. The story opens in grey tones when Maddie is shy, then explodes into riotous color when she works toward her goal and conquers shyness through disguise. --Association of Jewish Libraries

Clowns and Purim often go together, but becoming a mitzvah clown is a new thing. Some national Jewish youth-oriented organizations are encouraging teens to clown around (in costume) at adult senior homes and children s hospitals instead of engaging in typical mitzvah-themed activities such as visiting soup kitchens. They say that entertaining others in this way also helps shy teens become more comfortable in social situations in general. This picture book expands on that idea through the story of Maddie, a shy mouse who loses her inhibitions after learning the art of clowning when she performs the mitzvah of bikur cholim (visiting the sick) at a senior convalescent home. --The Jewish Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton
• Publication date: 1976
• ISBN 10: 1681155230
• ISBN 13: 9781681155234
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272