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Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim
Young Esther has earned a special gragger (whirling noisemaker) by delivering charitable gifts on Purim, a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther. Now she is ready to carry her gragger in the festive Purim parade! Like the legendary Queen, Esther displays courage and wit when an older bully tries to steal her gragger. The lively cast of characters quibble and carouse in a bygone world of warmth, surprise, and generosity. There is even a parade for children only. The appendix helps readers understand the history of Purim, how it is celebrated today, what a “gragger” is, and how to make a simple noisemaker. Following the award-winning The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin , author Martha Seif Simpson and illustrator D. Yael Bernhard have again created a new toyshop tale of playful language and images that hint at ancient roots and hidden meanings, which are just waiting for young readers to find. This is a tale ideal for reading aloud for fun, but also for learning.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2019
About the author
Martha Seif Simpson
10 books10 followersMartha Seif Simpson is a retired Children’s Librarian and an author. She has four traditionally published picture books: What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day, The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah, and Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim. Her newest book is A Ring for a King: A Tale of King Solomon. A new Hanukkah book, I Will NOT Eat Latkes!, will be published in the Fall of 2026.
She enjoys talking about her books at conferences, libraries, schools and community centers. See her website, www.Martha-Seif-Simpson.com, to arrange a visit. You can also find her on Facebook at Martha Kidlit Author, on Twitter @MarthaSimpMLS, and on Bluesky @marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social.
She enjoys talking about her books at conferences, libraries, schools and community centers. See her website, www.Martha-Seif-Simpson.com, to arrange a visit. You can also find her on Facebook at Martha Kidlit Author, on Twitter @MarthaSimpMLS, and on Bluesky @marthakidlitauthor.bsky.social.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 2, 2025
A Little Tale Of Purim
The Jewish holiday of Purim falls this year on March 20-21, 2019. A lovely way of thinking about Purim is through this children's book, "Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim" written by Martha Seif Simpson and illustrated by D. Yael Bernard. Simpson and Bernard collaborated on a similar children's book a few years ago about the holiday of Hanukkah, "The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin", which I have read and reviewed on this site. The book is suitable for small children ages five and up.
As did the earlier book, "Esther's Gragger" looks for meaning in a minor Jewish holiday that is frequently given over to presents or, in Purim's case, to a party and raucous celebrating. The story is set in a toyshop in nameless village with a considerable Jewish population. (The children in the story wear modern clothes). An elderly man, apparently the same person in both books, owns a small toyshop. In both the Hanukkah and the Purim book, he is visited by a somewhat mysterious peddler who, in this book sells him some beautifully colored graggers to sell for Purim. A gragger is a noisemaker that is used when the name of Haman, the villain of the Purim story, is mentioned during the celebration in the synagogue.
In the story, a young boy wants to buy a gragger for his sister, Esther. The heroine of the Purim story, also named Esther, is depicted on the gragger. He asks the shopkeeper to put the gragger on hold for a few hours until he can return with the money. The shopkeeper reluctantly agrees. In the meantime, a bigger boy comes into the store and wants to buy the gragger, but the shopkeeper keeps his promise and refuses to sell. The boy turns out to be a bad bully. He corners Esther and her brother leaving the store and tries to wrest away the gragger. Esther bravely refuses, with the aid of the redoubtable shopkeeper and the brother. The shopkeeper sees and shares the meaning of the incident with Esther and with the reader: "Costumes are pretty and festivals are fun, but we must never be afraid to take a stand against cruelty."
The tale is beautifully told, with well-depicted characters, particularly the shopkeeper and the peddler, and lovely illustrations of the shop, the town, the people, and the toys. It is a delight in every way. After the story, there are short explanations of the Purim holiday and its customs, including the gragger.
This book is published by Wisdom Tales, which publishes books with spiritual themes from around the world for children. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me this book to review. This book will be of interest to Jewish families as well as to families from other religions and traditions who want to encourage an ecumenical spirit in their children.
Robin Friedman
The Jewish holiday of Purim falls this year on March 20-21, 2019. A lovely way of thinking about Purim is through this children's book, "Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim" written by Martha Seif Simpson and illustrated by D. Yael Bernard. Simpson and Bernard collaborated on a similar children's book a few years ago about the holiday of Hanukkah, "The Dreidel that Wouldn't Spin", which I have read and reviewed on this site. The book is suitable for small children ages five and up.
As did the earlier book, "Esther's Gragger" looks for meaning in a minor Jewish holiday that is frequently given over to presents or, in Purim's case, to a party and raucous celebrating. The story is set in a toyshop in nameless village with a considerable Jewish population. (The children in the story wear modern clothes). An elderly man, apparently the same person in both books, owns a small toyshop. In both the Hanukkah and the Purim book, he is visited by a somewhat mysterious peddler who, in this book sells him some beautifully colored graggers to sell for Purim. A gragger is a noisemaker that is used when the name of Haman, the villain of the Purim story, is mentioned during the celebration in the synagogue.
In the story, a young boy wants to buy a gragger for his sister, Esther. The heroine of the Purim story, also named Esther, is depicted on the gragger. He asks the shopkeeper to put the gragger on hold for a few hours until he can return with the money. The shopkeeper reluctantly agrees. In the meantime, a bigger boy comes into the store and wants to buy the gragger, but the shopkeeper keeps his promise and refuses to sell. The boy turns out to be a bad bully. He corners Esther and her brother leaving the store and tries to wrest away the gragger. Esther bravely refuses, with the aid of the redoubtable shopkeeper and the brother. The shopkeeper sees and shares the meaning of the incident with Esther and with the reader: "Costumes are pretty and festivals are fun, but we must never be afraid to take a stand against cruelty."
The tale is beautifully told, with well-depicted characters, particularly the shopkeeper and the peddler, and lovely illustrations of the shop, the town, the people, and the toys. It is a delight in every way. After the story, there are short explanations of the Purim holiday and its customs, including the gragger.
This book is published by Wisdom Tales, which publishes books with spiritual themes from around the world for children. Wisdom Tales kindly sent me this book to review. This book will be of interest to Jewish families as well as to families from other religions and traditions who want to encourage an ecumenical spirit in their children.
Robin Friedman
January 31, 2020
My book was gifted to me to review for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 event (1/31/20)
“Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim” is a Jewish picture book illustrated by D Yael Bernhard and Martha Seif Simpson, published by Wisdom Tales. The story follows a curmudgeonly toyshop keeper who cannot stand the whirring sound of Purim graggers. However, the peddler who sells the graggers reminds the shopkeeper that “it takes a loud noise to drown out wickedness.” When a young boy comes into the shop and begs the shopkeeper to set aside a special Queen Esther gragger for his sister, the shopkeeper hesitantly agrees. A rude bully requests the Queen Esther gragger, but the shopkeeper decides to “honor his agreement to wait.” The bully begins to pick on the boy and his sister (aptly also named Esther), but the shopkeeper and the surrounding crowd whir their graggers all at once and shout, “Meanness is not welcome here.” After the bully is frightened away, the characters ponder how they “must never be afraid to take a stand against cruelty.”
This book is illustrated with gorgeous kaleidoscopic color. The rich and detailed images portray the excitement of the Purim holiday. The text is simple, yet poetic, as when Esther “[rewards the shopkeeper] with a smile bright enough to chase away the annoyances of his morning.” Not only does the story follow a logical narrative, but it also is interspersed with a number of moral lessons, such as an admonition against bullying and a call to speak up in the face of unkindness. This story will resonate with children ages 5 and up who are curious about this Jewish holiday, and it will teach them lessons on kindness along the way. Additionally, there is plentiful backmatter regarding the history of Purim, Purim practices, and even how to make your own gragger! This interactive text is one to reach for again and again when the Purim holiday comes around.
#ReadYouWorld
“Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim” is a Jewish picture book illustrated by D Yael Bernhard and Martha Seif Simpson, published by Wisdom Tales. The story follows a curmudgeonly toyshop keeper who cannot stand the whirring sound of Purim graggers. However, the peddler who sells the graggers reminds the shopkeeper that “it takes a loud noise to drown out wickedness.” When a young boy comes into the shop and begs the shopkeeper to set aside a special Queen Esther gragger for his sister, the shopkeeper hesitantly agrees. A rude bully requests the Queen Esther gragger, but the shopkeeper decides to “honor his agreement to wait.” The bully begins to pick on the boy and his sister (aptly also named Esther), but the shopkeeper and the surrounding crowd whir their graggers all at once and shout, “Meanness is not welcome here.” After the bully is frightened away, the characters ponder how they “must never be afraid to take a stand against cruelty.”
This book is illustrated with gorgeous kaleidoscopic color. The rich and detailed images portray the excitement of the Purim holiday. The text is simple, yet poetic, as when Esther “[rewards the shopkeeper] with a smile bright enough to chase away the annoyances of his morning.” Not only does the story follow a logical narrative, but it also is interspersed with a number of moral lessons, such as an admonition against bullying and a call to speak up in the face of unkindness. This story will resonate with children ages 5 and up who are curious about this Jewish holiday, and it will teach them lessons on kindness along the way. Additionally, there is plentiful backmatter regarding the history of Purim, Purim practices, and even how to make your own gragger! This interactive text is one to reach for again and again when the Purim holiday comes around.
#ReadYouWorld
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February 4, 2020In Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim (Wisdom Tales Press), author Martha Seif Simpson offers a charming parable about standing up to bullying. Artist D. Yael Bernhard brings the story to life with gentle illustrations and warm colors.
Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim is set in a toy store on the Jewish holiday of Purim. The kind shopkeeper meets a peddler who sells him a set of beautifully-ornate graggers (Purim noisemakers). One is decorated with Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story. A boy named Ben enters the shop and begs the shopkeeper to hold on it until he can return with the money to buy it for his sister, also named Esther. While the boy is gone, the shopkeeper refuses to sell the gragger to a bullying customer, despite his offer to buy it for double the price.
Soon, Ben returns with his sister Esther. As they happily leave the store with the beautiful gragger, the bully confronts Esther and tries to snatch it away. Esther surprises the bully by bravely sounding her gragger, and soon, the shopkeeper and the rest of the neighborhood join in. Overwhelmed by their noisy display of solidarity, the bully runs away. The shopkeeper thanks Esther for reminding everyone of the spirit of Purim, and decides that he will “never again complain about the sound of graggers.”
Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim is designed to help children and families explore the holiday of Purim. The backmatter includes a retelling of the Purim story, an explanation of modern Purim practices, a description of graggers, and instructions for creating your own noisemaker. Children will understand and relate to the setup of the brave girl, the cruel bully, and the simple noisemaker that comes to symbolize the drowning out of cruelty everywhere. As the peddler reminds us early in the story, “it takes a loud noise to drown out wickedness.” This message about standing up to bullying, embedded in the Purim story, comes through loud and clear in the tale of Esther and her gragger.
I was asked to review Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 event.
Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim is set in a toy store on the Jewish holiday of Purim. The kind shopkeeper meets a peddler who sells him a set of beautifully-ornate graggers (Purim noisemakers). One is decorated with Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story. A boy named Ben enters the shop and begs the shopkeeper to hold on it until he can return with the money to buy it for his sister, also named Esther. While the boy is gone, the shopkeeper refuses to sell the gragger to a bullying customer, despite his offer to buy it for double the price.
Soon, Ben returns with his sister Esther. As they happily leave the store with the beautiful gragger, the bully confronts Esther and tries to snatch it away. Esther surprises the bully by bravely sounding her gragger, and soon, the shopkeeper and the rest of the neighborhood join in. Overwhelmed by their noisy display of solidarity, the bully runs away. The shopkeeper thanks Esther for reminding everyone of the spirit of Purim, and decides that he will “never again complain about the sound of graggers.”
Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim is designed to help children and families explore the holiday of Purim. The backmatter includes a retelling of the Purim story, an explanation of modern Purim practices, a description of graggers, and instructions for creating your own noisemaker. Children will understand and relate to the setup of the brave girl, the cruel bully, and the simple noisemaker that comes to symbolize the drowning out of cruelty everywhere. As the peddler reminds us early in the story, “it takes a loud noise to drown out wickedness.” This message about standing up to bullying, embedded in the Purim story, comes through loud and clear in the tale of Esther and her gragger.
I was asked to review Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 event.
November 3, 2020
The noise of the graggers being played with by shoppers and children is really bothering the toyshop owner. Yet he still purchases additional graggers from the peddler.
After receiving the newer graggers from the peddler, a young boy hurryingly enters the toyshop and selects a gragger beautifully painted that has Queen Esther's name on it to give his sister who is also named Esther. With some reluctance the shopkeeper agrees not to sell it a few hours so the boy can return with adequate funds to purchase it.
Soon a very large boy arrives and rudely demands he be sold the Queen Esther gragger. When told he can not have that one, he bellows loudly and slams his hand on the counter demanding that specific gragger for himself. The shopkeeper is adamant to not sell it to this rude customer telling him that he is not welcome in the toyshop.
The young boy returns and buys the gragger after which the bully confronts him and tried to get the toy from the sister who by now is holding the gragger.
The story ends well with shouting and the noise of the graggers driving the bully away. A well written story about the celebration of Purim which is the celebration of Queen Esther's defiance of Hamman in Jewish history when Hamman sought to rid the kingdom of Jews. Hamman was defeated.
The story of Esther is important in the Biblical context for Christians as well as it is rooted in Jewish history. Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating Esther. The back pages of this children's book provide non-fiction information about Purim and graggers.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
After receiving the newer graggers from the peddler, a young boy hurryingly enters the toyshop and selects a gragger beautifully painted that has Queen Esther's name on it to give his sister who is also named Esther. With some reluctance the shopkeeper agrees not to sell it a few hours so the boy can return with adequate funds to purchase it.
Soon a very large boy arrives and rudely demands he be sold the Queen Esther gragger. When told he can not have that one, he bellows loudly and slams his hand on the counter demanding that specific gragger for himself. The shopkeeper is adamant to not sell it to this rude customer telling him that he is not welcome in the toyshop.
The young boy returns and buys the gragger after which the bully confronts him and tried to get the toy from the sister who by now is holding the gragger.
The story ends well with shouting and the noise of the graggers driving the bully away. A well written story about the celebration of Purim which is the celebration of Queen Esther's defiance of Hamman in Jewish history when Hamman sought to rid the kingdom of Jews. Hamman was defeated.
The story of Esther is important in the Biblical context for Christians as well as it is rooted in Jewish history. Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating Esther. The back pages of this children's book provide non-fiction information about Purim and graggers.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
April 19, 2019
It’s almost Purim and a small village was preparing for the celebration. A peddler had made plenty of gragger’s or noisemakers, that looked like various Purim heroes, biblical scenes and even one that looked like Queen Esther. The shopkeeper was annoyed by all of the children sampling graggers because they were so noisy. One little boy stopped by to purchase a Queen Esther gragger for his sister but was short the money and asked if the shopkeeper would hold it for him, and he said yes. Another boy came into the shop and demanded to purchase the gragger, but the shopkeeper denied him because of his rudeness. The next day the boy and his sister Esther bought the gagger and were very happy. Again, the rude boy is taunting them and attempting to take the gagger from them. What do you think happened next?
The story of the Purim celebration is about standing up to evil. In this story young readers will see a community stand up against bullying. Large print and basic sentence structure make this a perfect read for beginners. Colorful illustrations depict a lively community in celebration of the holiday. Parents and teachers can use this as a tool to teach tolerance. The back pages share the Purim tradition and how to make a gragger.
February 12, 2019
Brightly dressed children holding decorated noise-makers march across the cover of Martha Sief Simpson’s Esther’s Gragger. But before these children can parade for Purim, they’ll need to buy their noise-making graggers from the toy store. And before they buy them, they’ll have to try them all out, much to the annoyance of the toy store owner.
Parents and children, reading this brightly illustrated book with its well-chosen font and clear, comfortable text, will relate at once to the situation and the noise, even if their culture doesn’t include graggers and Purim. They’ll relate as well to the quiet bravery of one small girl who stands up to a bully, just as her royal namesake did in the original story of Purim. It’s a tale simply retold in the final pages of the book, where modern-day Purim practices are described, making good, clear use of traditional words, together with neat instructions for children to create their own noisemakers.
A pleasing story where honesty pays, rudeness doesn’t, and noise can drown out evil, Esther’s Gragger is highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
Parents and children, reading this brightly illustrated book with its well-chosen font and clear, comfortable text, will relate at once to the situation and the noise, even if their culture doesn’t include graggers and Purim. They’ll relate as well to the quiet bravery of one small girl who stands up to a bully, just as her royal namesake did in the original story of Purim. It’s a tale simply retold in the final pages of the book, where modern-day Purim practices are described, making good, clear use of traditional words, together with neat instructions for children to create their own noisemakers.
A pleasing story where honesty pays, rudeness doesn’t, and noise can drown out evil, Esther’s Gragger is highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was given a copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review.
June 24, 2020
A charming modern Purim story filled with Jewish tradition and a reminder for adults, as well.
When Esther's brother Ben finds he does not have enough money to buy a special gragger for his sister, he asks the shop owner to hold it for him. In the meantime, a pushy boy tries to bully the shop owner into selling the same gragger, the shop owner is satisfied with his choice to honor his promise to Ben. Simpson's text reads like that of a practiced storyteller. It is nicely paced and the reminder to stand up to bullies is well-made. The illustrations by Durga Yael Bernhard are colorful and friendly, in a primitive style that is approachable and filled with detail.
Backmatter includes a short essay on the history and importance of the festival of Purim and current celebration practices today, what graggers are, and how to craft your own noisemakers.
Recommended for grades PreS-3.
When Esther's brother Ben finds he does not have enough money to buy a special gragger for his sister, he asks the shop owner to hold it for him. In the meantime, a pushy boy tries to bully the shop owner into selling the same gragger, the shop owner is satisfied with his choice to honor his promise to Ben. Simpson's text reads like that of a practiced storyteller. It is nicely paced and the reminder to stand up to bullies is well-made. The illustrations by Durga Yael Bernhard are colorful and friendly, in a primitive style that is approachable and filled with detail.
Backmatter includes a short essay on the history and importance of the festival of Purim and current celebration practices today, what graggers are, and how to craft your own noisemakers.
Recommended for grades PreS-3.
May 1, 2019
"Esther's Gragger" is a children's fiction about Purim celebrations. Several children want the same gragger, or noisemaker, for the children's parade. When a bully tries to take it away from the girl, Esther, she stands up to him. The story provided information about the Jewish festival of Purim as well as a nice story about standing against bullies. The illustrations were colorful and of the same style as the cover. There was nonfiction information at the back of the book about what Purim is, Purim practices today, what graggers are and how to make one. Overall, I'd recommend this charming book.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
February 21, 2019
Wonderful story. Loved it.
April 22, 2023
A great little story about standing up to bullies, but also introducing Purim. Pretty text heavy on each page and at times the illustrations felt a smidge uneven, but overall this is a wonderful celebration of Esther and the Purim story. The back matter was really informative, I learned a lot about Purim traditions and Esther’s story too. I’ll recommend this to my staff looking for Jewish stories and holiday books about other Jewish celebrations.
March 23, 2019
Highly readable typeface.
April 27, 2019
4.5 stars. 28 pages
March 3, 2026
Esther's Gragger is a delightful Purim story that reflects the merriment of costumes and graggers, but reminds us what the noise is all about. Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from the evil Haman, the advisor to King Ahasuerus. During the celebration, children will dress in costumes and during a retelling of the story they will use a gragger , or noisemaker to drown out Haman's name.
Parents will identify with the toyshop owner in Martha Seif Simpson's story. He could do without all the noise from people who play with the graggers in his shop. A young boy wants to buy a special grogger with a likeness of Esther for his little sister who was named after her. Anyone who has worked in retail understands when the shopkeeper is reluctant to keep the noisemaker on hold. Before the youngster returns, an older boy demands that the shopkeeper sell him that gragger, but he refuses to reward the boys rudeness. The shopkeeper is happy to sell the gragger to the younger boy and his sister when they return. However the bully tries to take it away. Just like the noisemakers are used to drown out evil during the Purim story, the graggers are used to drive away the bully.
The author uses children in her story to show the importance of standing up to evil. The young Esther stands up to the bully just as her namesake spoke out against evil long before. The book is perfect for Purim, but can be appreciated by children of any faith. The afterward includes background on the holiday, current customs and graggers. She even includes instructions for making your own noisemaker.
Parents will identify with the toyshop owner in Martha Seif Simpson's story. He could do without all the noise from people who play with the graggers in his shop. A young boy wants to buy a special grogger with a likeness of Esther for his little sister who was named after her. Anyone who has worked in retail understands when the shopkeeper is reluctant to keep the noisemaker on hold. Before the youngster returns, an older boy demands that the shopkeeper sell him that gragger, but he refuses to reward the boys rudeness. The shopkeeper is happy to sell the gragger to the younger boy and his sister when they return. However the bully tries to take it away. Just like the noisemakers are used to drown out evil during the Purim story, the graggers are used to drive away the bully.
The author uses children in her story to show the importance of standing up to evil. The young Esther stands up to the bully just as her namesake spoke out against evil long before. The book is perfect for Purim, but can be appreciated by children of any faith. The afterward includes background on the holiday, current customs and graggers. She even includes instructions for making your own noisemaker.
January 11, 2026
When Ben wants to buy a special gragger for his sister Esther to swirl in the Purim Day Parade, he faces a few obstacles, including a neighborhood bully. But with the help of a kind shopkeeper, Ben and Esther learn the true meaning of Purim and stand up for themselves and others. And the shopkeeper learns that the loud sounds of the graggers will drive away cruelty. Beautiful illustrations complement the text in this lovely tale.
February 1, 2023
A lovely tale of a shopkeep, a bully, and a girl named Ester living up to her namesake. This book gives wonderful exposition about the holiday and its traditions, so it is perfect for Jews and newcomers alike.
In a story parallel to the events of the first Purim, a curmudgeon shopkeeper is getting quite tired of the gragger's noise, and it's not even Purim yet. From his window, he watches as the young leader of the Purim Parade is confronted by a bully and stands up for herself, even in the face of danger. As the neighbors come together, they drown out the nare-do-well in the raash of their graggers, we are reminded of the story of Purim once again.
In a story parallel to the events of the first Purim, a curmudgeon shopkeeper is getting quite tired of the gragger's noise, and it's not even Purim yet. From his window, he watches as the young leader of the Purim Parade is confronted by a bully and stands up for herself, even in the face of danger. As the neighbors come together, they drown out the nare-do-well in the raash of their graggers, we are reminded of the story of Purim once again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
My son LOVED this book, and we've read it many times since we received it from Martha! I thought it was a little wordy for a children's book, but my son has a pretty good attention span for books and really enjoyed the story. I love how much it taught him about Purim, and can't wait to put it back out for Purim festivities!
My only qualm is that the "mean little boy" looked like a grown man, but that's now Martha's fault seeing as she's only the author.
I was asked to review Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 event.
My only qualm is that the "mean little boy" looked like a grown man, but that's now Martha's fault seeing as she's only the author.
I was asked to review Esther's Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim for the Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2024 event.
September 23, 2024
Purim is a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther, and Esther is going to lead a parade with her noisemaker, a toy called a gragger. This is no ordinary parade but a way of giving back to the community by delivering gifts. When a bully wants to take Esther's gragger away, she uses her wits, just like Queen Esther to outwit him. Readers will learn more about the history of Purim and how it is celebrated. The backmatter also includes how to make your own gragger! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
February 23, 2024
Esther stands up to a bully who wants the "Esther Gragger" that the toy shop owner was holding for her. Good connection between the Esthers who had the courage to stand up to bullies. The book has some flaws. The pages are far too text dense. There was no mention of Haman, the bully in the Purim story- not even in the afterword.
May 3, 2022
I honestly couldn't finish this book. The illustrations were not pretty, and maybe the story is good, but the font was so distracting and pissed me off that I had to stop reading. I didn't like the overall layout of the book either.
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