Children's Fiction New Experience
Bitter and Sweet
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books Ltd
- Initial publish date
- Oct 2018
- Category
- New Experience, Friendship, Jewish
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781554989959
- Publish Date
- Oct 2018
- List Price
- $17.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781773066509
- Publish Date
- Oct 2018
- List Price
- $9.99
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 4 to 7
- Grade: k to 2
- Reading age: 4 to 7
Description
For Hannah, moving to a new city feels bitter, but can she find the sweetness, too?
When Hannah’s family has to move, her grandmother tells her how she felt leaving the old country — it was both bitter and sweet. As Hannah leaves her friends behind and tries to get used to a new house, she only feels bitterness. Was her grandmother wrong about the sweetness?
Hannah starts to feel better about the move when she sees her new house in the soft light of the Shabbat candles. When a new friend reaches out with a special gift, Hannah realizes that sweetness can come from unexpected places and that she can even create some herself.
Featuring art by acclaimed illustrator Kyrsten Brooker, this story subtly conveys a universal message — while life can be full of challenging moments, sweeter ones can be found and created. An author’s note is included on the concept of bitter and sweet in Jewish culture.
Key Text Features
author’s note
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
About the authors
SANDRA V. FEDER is the author of two acclaimed picture books. Bitter and Sweet, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker, was a PJ Library selection, and The Moon Inside, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro, has been translated into French, Chinese and Korean. She’s also the author of three early chapter books — Daisy’s Perfect Word, Daisy’s Defining Day and Daisy’s Big Night, illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Sandra lives in Northern California.
Sandra V. Feder's profile page
Kyrsten Brooker’s distinct, inventive illustrations have appeared in popular and award-winning picture books, such as When We Go Walking by Cari Best, Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia C. McKissack, and Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter, which J. Patrick Lewis praised in a New York Times review saying, “Kyrsten Brooker uses collages so adroitly and with such brio that you feel like reaching in and putting an arm around each of these elegantly drawn characters.” She lives with her family in Alberta, Canada.
Editorial Reviews
[Kyrsten] Brooker's illustrations are a marvel.
Kirkus Reviews
Moving houses is often a challenge for young children; this sensitive story addresses their fears and suggests a positive method of dealing with change. Many references to Jewish customs . . . help flesh out the commingling of bitter and sweet.
Quill and Quire
While telling a familiar story about the difficulties of moving, the quietly expressive text offers a clear view of Hannah’s emotions and a hopeful, yet practical perspective on making things better. . . . [I]nsightful.
Booklist
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