Review: With a Needle and Thread

With a Needle & Thread: A Jewish Folktale from Cuba

by Jennifer Stempel, illustrated by Libi Axelrod

Kalaniot Books, 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

Reminiscent of the traditional folktale "Something From Nothing," a young girl learns to sew from her grandmother, carrying this skill through life as she uses remnants of her outgrown childhood dress for beautiful creations: a baby blanket for a bris, a tallit for a bar mitzvah, and a chuppah cover for her own wedding. Finally she enlarges a tablecloth for shared meals by enlisting everyone to bring whatever scraps they can. Although this is a land of hardship and scarcity, we experience the love and close dependence within this small remnant of a Jewish community. Here nothing goes to waste, recycling is of the essence.
Backmatter includes a glossary, map of the island, a recipe for a traditional chicken dish, and a brief history and a description of Jewish life in Cuba. The book is being published simultaneously in English and Spanish.

The illustrations and the text immerse us in the Cuban Jewish community. Many Spanish expressions are interwoven skillfully, requiring no translation. We visit the narrow streets of Santiago de Cuba with open doorways giving us glimpses into daily life. Many smijas (smichcot) are enjoyed including a baby naming and bar mitzvah. While there are no images of Judaica there are candles being lit and a few kippot.

This book is a great resource for a study of small Jewish communities around the world, lovely for whole class, small group or individual reading. Especially fun for grandmother-grandchild sharing. 

 

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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!