Review: The Fisher Family Beach Project
The Fisher Family Beach Project (Golda & Ezra series)
by Hollie Michaels, illustrated by Claudio Cerri
Picture Window Books (imprint of Capstone Publishing), 2025
This early chapter book, an installment in the Golda & Ezra series, is about a blended family of four: Ezra, Golda, Ima and Aba. Ezra and Golda are step-siblings, and they have a pair of kitties named Bagel and Lox.
This entry in the series takes us to the beach with the family around the Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat. The reader can empathize with Ezra, who is a bit hesitant at first to participate in beach day due to all the stuff they have to schlep for their sandcastle contest, his dislike of getting sand in his hair, and his resistance to having to endure putting on sunscreen. As the family goes through the routine of getting themselves settled at the beach, they realize with a start that the beach is really messy– there is trash everywhere!
Luckily, Aba has gloves and trash bags in his car. The family and their friends get to work cleaning up the beach. Ima points out that this is a great way to spend Tu BiShvat, a day when Jewish people are extra mindful to take care of the Earth. After the big cleanup, the friends and family are able to make their sandcastle after all.
The Fisher Family Beach Project has a simple pace and structure that will be comfortingly familiar and engaging to young readers. Within this pacing of the story, there is a lot that happens to keep the reader intrigued. The illustrations are bright and interesting, bringing even more life to the lively story. The family members are described as having come from different backgrounds, and represent diverse skin tones. This is a realistic window into modern family life.
It is helpful to have the little “intro” page at the beginning to let us know who the characters are, so that we can better understand the structure of this family. This practical “Meet Golda & Ezra’s Family” intro page also helps us to know a little bit more about the characters’ backgrounds individually, so we can connect with them more deeply in the short chapters that follow– much like an intro song might function for a favorite television show.
The story doesn’t shy away from using Jewish vocabulary that many children (Jewish and non-Jewish) will be excited to recognize or learn. The use of these words and the natural way that Aba and Ima connect the beach day to the family’s Jewish practice feels natural. While the holiday, language, and Jewish values are components of the tale, the story development feels character and plot driven rather than didactic. A short one-page glossary is provided, as well as background about languages that Jewish people speak. Back matter also includes information about the Tu Bishvat holiday, some discussion questions, and a project idea.
The characters of Golda and Ezra will resonate with young readers from all backgrounds. The Fisher Family Beach Project will be an excellent addition to a community, classroom, or home library. Lots of topics are addressed here, and it will continue to be an adventure to explore this world in other books.
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