Review: Fanny's Big Idea

Fanny's Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born

by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Alyssa Russell

Rocky Pond Books, 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

2025 is the 100th year of Jewish Book Week in America and we have a brand new biography of Fanny Goldstein, the woman who started it all. Immigrating to the United States from Russia to avoid persecution, her family arrived in Boston where she attended school and the North End Settlement House. Both institutions were designed to assimilate the immigrant population but Fanny felt that people should be proud of and learn about their homelands, maintaining their heritage. She remembered the words of her grandmother, "The more you know about someone's life, the harder it is not to like them." She carried this message as a beacon through her career as a librarian, becoming the first Jewish person to head a branch library in the United States. From her position she hosted the first Jewish Book Week, encouraging people from the wider community to learn about Jewish life through books, food, and activities. The event was a tremendous success, and has taken place every November ever since (expanded from Jewish Book Week to Jewish Book Month). Backmatter includes more information about Fanny and Jewish Book Week and a bibliography.

While the book does not represent any particular Jewish community nor highlight any religious observance, it speaks to universal Jewish culture. The theme of being proud of our personal heritage is an important message for all in our challenging times, making this a worthwhile resource for amplifying this ideal.

 

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Reviewer Suzanne Grossman is happily retired after 30 years as a children’s library media specialist. She had the opportunity to share books, tell stories, and encourage the joy of reading with thousands of children. The moment when a child enters a story, experiences life as a character does and walks through the setting the author has created is magical. She is honored to have the opportunity to be part of the Sydney Taylor Shmooze, working to bring the best of the newest Jewish children’s literature into the lives of young readers. Having the gift of time, she now enjoys writing picture books and sharing them with children. Happy reading everyone!