Image of the Week: Esther's Gragger
I'm pleased to announce the publication of Esther's Gragger, my newest picture book written by Martha Seif Simpson and published by Wisdom Tales Press. This is my fourth book for Wisdom Tales, including Martha's first title The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin, which has the same setting – a toyshop in Prague – and the same shopkeeper.
This time, the main character is a brave girl named for the famous Queen Esther, who saved the Jewish people from persecution in the royal kingdom of ancient Persia. As a reward for her acts of charity, young Esther is given a special gragger, or noisemaker (also spelled grogger) for the Purim holiday parade – but she must first stop a big bully who tries to steal the gragger from her. Esther stands up to the bully with courage, and the shopkeeper learns an important lesson, too.
The back of the book contains a wealth of information about Purim – so much that the story had to be shortened. As a Jewish educator, I wanted more focus on Esther's good deeds, known in Hebrew as misloach manot, or the giving of food portions to the poor. There was no room in the text, so I used the endpapers of the book to show several vignettes of Esther going door to door with her basket. Likewise, it seemed important to let young readers know that the bully, though banished from the toyshop for behaving badly, was unharmed – and at the end of the story even welcomed back (along with a better attitude) to join the Purim parade. Esther leads, holding her gragger aloft like a queen's scepter. With no words, a well-placed image conveys the message. I enjoy the challenge of revealing a character or showing an outcome solely with pictures.
This is a wonderful book for sparking discussion with children about everything from busting stereotypes to speaking truth to power. The legacy of Queen Esther lives on in her plucky young namesake, who in turn models courage and compassion, hopefully for many readers to come.
Special thanks to my dear friend Elise Gold for lending photos of her beautiful daughter and son – Maya, of cherished memory, and Adin – as models for Esther and her brother.
You can order a signed hardcover copy of Esther's Gragger from my webstore, or find it on Amazon. $21.95 includes shipping. See here to read more about the book and peek inside.
Thank you for your interest
in my books and art!
D Yael Bernhard