Review: The Mitzvah Fairy

The Mitzvah Fairy

by Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Christine Battuz

Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Claire Freeland

 

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Known only as the Mitzvah Fairy, a young boy dons his wings and crown and grabs his wand ready to perform good deeds in this sweet, concept picture book. His mom has a small role, but it is his dad who looks after the Mitzvah Fairy on this particular day, making for a lovely father-son duo who perform acts of kindness. The Mitzvah Fairy brings chicken soup to his Bubbe, assists his infirm neighbor with chores, picks up recyclables at the park, finds coins on the ground and donates them to the family tzedakah box, and rescues a ladybug from getting squashed. Finally, to end their busy day of giving and kindness, the Mitzvah Fairy hugs his dad.

The illustrations add to the sweet flavor of this book. There are candy striped backgrounds and a pastel color palate. The parents and child appear to be white. The drawings are charming and bright. There are adorable pets on most pages.

Backmatter lists the Jewish values found in the book in English and transliterated Hebrew. The child reader is asked to match the values to small pictures taken from the book. The list of positive actions are part of many families’ belief systems, Jewish or not. Perhaps this book, therefore, will be relevant to all families who encourage the joy of performing good deeds.

 

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Reviewer Claire Freeland is a Baltimore, Maryland based children's book writer. She has co-authored seven books, published by Magination Press, that guide children and teens in new ways of thinking about feelings and behaviors, and introduce the science of psychology. Her current work focuses on Jewish-themed board and picture books.