The Remembering Box

by Eth Clifford, Donna Diamond (Illustrator)

Nine-year-old Joshua's weekly visits to his beloved grandmother on the Jewish Sabbath give him an understanding of love, family, and tradition, which helps him accept her death.

70 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Eth Clifford was born in New York City in 1915. She and her husband, David Rosenberg, started David-Stewart Publishing Company. Her first book for children was published in 1959 and since that time she wrote numerous books for children and young adults. She was also known as Eth (or Ethel) Clifford Rosenberg, and as published under the name Ruth Bonn Penn, and with her husband under David Clifford. Eth Clifford died in 2003

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars -- What a sweet, emotional story! Set in 1942 in NYC, the story focuses on nine-year-old Joshua Beck's relationship with his grandma Goldina. When he was five, he overheard his mom and dad talking about his grandma and worrying about her living alone. They had tried to get her to live with them, but she did not want to leave her apartment and her kitchen and her bed. Plus, she was also not sure that she would fit in their apartment with four children running around and two women sharing a kitchen! SO, Joshua spoke up and said he could stay with her and take care of her. That is how the tradition of his going to her place for Sabbath every week begins. Barring illness or Joshua getting into trouble, his father drops him off every Friday after school, and Joshua stays until sundown on Saturday. During his time with Goldina, not only do they celebrate the Sabbath, but they also talk as Grandma shares her past with him through items from the Remembering Box. Hair ribbons, a sock, photographs, a willow branch, a silver bell, and more spark stories from Goldina's trove of treasured memories. Thankfully, he had years of celebrating with her this way. Shabbat Shalom, Grandma Goldina. Shabbat Shalom.

[Linda Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

touching, heartfelt book; I cried at the end... even though I suspected the outcome.

Wonderful book for families to create their own remembering boxes to hold precious items from the lives of elders (parents/grandparents) who then tell the story associated with the item the child/grandchild chose.

Also offers an example of how to approach an elder who needs closer watching but wishes continue living independently: have one of the grandchildren visit weekly for a meal, stories and love.

[Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just lovely!

[Aliyia126 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a boy name Joshua he is a proangasits.He love spending time with hes grandma name Goldia she is also a proangsits.One day Joshua went jogging with hes grandma she got tired so they went home .She layed on the couch as soon as she got home then Joshua went home.Months later Joshua went home then monthes later Joshua came to grandma Glodia's house then she told him about Sabbaths and her uncle Shimon then she pulled them out of the remebbring box. Joshua tried to peek in it but the grandma said not so fast because she need to teach him about candle so when she die he would know how to make the candles.Then she open the box and showed him what was in it.Things she remeber about is in the rembering box like ribons her horse bells and more for her uncle long time ago.Joshua remind hes grandma to get ready for something after that grandma would not answer him hye stared for a log time because she didn't tough him how to light up the candles she die on the couch thats why she didn't answer him.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and moving story. The relationship between a grandmother and grandson is often overlooked in media and society. This is a wonderful departure from the norm.

I only wished it was a little longer and more detailed, but understanable given its target audience. Thank you Ms. Clifford for a great book and a fond memory.