{"id":9071190769901,"title":"Something Sweet","handle":"something-sweet","description":"\u003ch6\u003eComing March 24, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSomething Sweet\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eA Sitting Shiva Story\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/leslea-newman\"\u003eLesléa Newman\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarita-rich\"\u003eSarita Rich\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eSometimes the best thing you can do is listen.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLizzie is determined to cheer up her friend who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. But when Lizzie and her mother arrive at his house for a shiva call, Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usual puzzles or magic tricks. He misses his grandfather.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs Lizzie participates in the Jewish customs of mourning for the first time, she begins to understand a new side of friendship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is someone to listen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSomething Sweet\u003c\/i\u003e balances themes of processing grief, experiencing another culture, and learning how to be a good friend—and does so with tender care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/popo-the-xolo\"\u003ePopo the Xolo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-spread.jpg?v=1754671078\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1754671078\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLesléa Newman, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLesléa Newman has written more than 70 books and anthologies, including \u003ci\u003eWelcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail\u003c\/i\u003e, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/leslea-newman\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Lesléa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarita Rich, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarita Rich is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eHavdalah Sky: A Poem for the End of Shabbat; Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour;\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHypnosis Harry\u003c\/i\u003e. She is from northern Alaska and currently lives in Hawaii. www.saritarich.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarita-rich\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Sarita.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoss, comfort, and rituals of remembrance intertwine in Newman and Rich’s relational introduction to the Jewish tradition of sitting shiva. Warmly rendered digital and watercolor compositions anchor the reader as young Lizzie and Mom visit the home of a friend, Joshua, who has lost his grandfather. Lizzie’s first shiva offers a natural framework for introducing Jewish mourning customs: “My mom and dad covered all the mirrors so we can think about Grandpa instead of ourselves,” Joshua notes. But the narrative also deals in universal themes—the title refers not only to the baked goods that Lizzie takes to the house but also to Joshua’s memories of his beloved, funny grandfather, and to the loving-kindness of showing up for others in times of grief. Compassionate and accessible, this story assures readers that solace can be found even in sorrow. A contextualizing author’s note concludes. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5–8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA child helps a friend grapple with the loss of a relative.\u003cbr\u003e\nLizzie’s mother is making brownies to take to Joshua’s house; Joshua’s grandfather has just died, and, as Mom explains, he and his family are sitting shiva, the Jewish period of mourning. At Joshua’s home, people explain various customs to Lizzie, like ritual handwashing and covering mirrors. Though informative, these moments sometimes feel a bit clunky, clearly intended to educate readers unfamiliar with shiva rather than advance the narrative. Rabbi Sarah arrives to lead prayers and hold space for the family to share stories about Joshua’s grandpa. The family’s dog, Queenie, provides moments of levity, keeping the serious topic from becoming overwhelming and demonstrating that it’s OK to laugh even amid grief. After, Lizzie sits with Joshua while he cries and recalls his grandfather telling him to nosh on something sweet every day, because life shouldn’t be bitter. Joshua decides to eat two brownies—one for himself, and one for his grandpa—representing the sweetness that exists even in times of sorrow. Newman handles the complexity of loss with care and authenticity in an age-appropriate way. Rich’s muted, expressive watercolors are well suited to the gently solemn tone of the story. Lizzie and Mom are brown-skinned, while Joshua and his family are lighter-skinned; their community is diverse.\u003cbr\u003e\nA sensitive introduction to grief and to Jewish mourning rituals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-571-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5–8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: March 24, 2026 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2025-10-07T12:05:39-04:00","created_at":"2025-08-08T12:39:00-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures"],"price":1899,"price_min":1899,"price_max":1899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":48514317844717,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"45710","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":44674337013997,"product_id":9071190769901,"position":1,"created_at":"2025-08-08T12:37:56-04:00","updated_at":"2025-08-08T12:37:57-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":468,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077","variant_ids":[48514317844717]},"available":true,"name":"Something Sweet - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1899,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623545710","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":36398617624813,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.282,"height":468,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36398617624813,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.282,"height":468,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077"},"aspect_ratio":1.282,"height":468,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003eComing March 24, 2026. Pre-order today!\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSomething Sweet\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eA Sitting Shiva Story\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/leslea-newman\"\u003eLesléa Newman\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarita-rich\"\u003eSarita Rich\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eSometimes the best thing you can do is listen.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLizzie is determined to cheer up her friend who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. But when Lizzie and her mother arrive at his house for a shiva call, Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usual puzzles or magic tricks. He misses his grandfather.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs Lizzie participates in the Jewish customs of mourning for the first time, she begins to understand a new side of friendship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is someone to listen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSomething Sweet\u003c\/i\u003e balances themes of processing grief, experiencing another culture, and learning how to be a good friend—and does so with tender care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/welcoming-elijah\"\u003eWelcoming Elijah\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/popo-the-xolo\"\u003ePopo the Xolo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-spread.jpg?v=1754671078\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" class=\"cvr-border-gray\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-cover.jpg?v=1754671077\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/something-sweet-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1754671078\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLesléa Newman, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLesléa Newman has written more than 70 books and anthologies, including \u003ci\u003eWelcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail\u003c\/i\u003e, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/leslea-newman\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Lesléa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarita Rich, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarita Rich is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eHavdalah Sky: A Poem for the End of Shabbat; Daddy, Me, and the Magic Hour;\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHypnosis Harry\u003c\/i\u003e. She is from northern Alaska and currently lives in Hawaii. www.saritarich.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarita-rich\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Sarita.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoss, comfort, and rituals of remembrance intertwine in Newman and Rich’s relational introduction to the Jewish tradition of sitting shiva. Warmly rendered digital and watercolor compositions anchor the reader as young Lizzie and Mom visit the home of a friend, Joshua, who has lost his grandfather. Lizzie’s first shiva offers a natural framework for introducing Jewish mourning customs: “My mom and dad covered all the mirrors so we can think about Grandpa instead of ourselves,” Joshua notes. But the narrative also deals in universal themes—the title refers not only to the baked goods that Lizzie takes to the house but also to Joshua’s memories of his beloved, funny grandfather, and to the loving-kindness of showing up for others in times of grief. Compassionate and accessible, this story assures readers that solace can be found even in sorrow. A contextualizing author’s note concludes. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 5–8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA child helps a friend grapple with the loss of a relative.\u003cbr\u003e\nLizzie’s mother is making brownies to take to Joshua’s house; Joshua’s grandfather has just died, and, as Mom explains, he and his family are sitting shiva, the Jewish period of mourning. At Joshua’s home, people explain various customs to Lizzie, like ritual handwashing and covering mirrors. Though informative, these moments sometimes feel a bit clunky, clearly intended to educate readers unfamiliar with shiva rather than advance the narrative. Rabbi Sarah arrives to lead prayers and hold space for the family to share stories about Joshua’s grandpa. The family’s dog, Queenie, provides moments of levity, keeping the serious topic from becoming overwhelming and demonstrating that it’s OK to laugh even amid grief. After, Lizzie sits with Joshua while he cries and recalls his grandfather telling him to nosh on something sweet every day, because life shouldn’t be bitter. Joshua decides to eat two brownies—one for himself, and one for his grandpa—representing the sweetness that exists even in times of sorrow. Newman handles the complexity of loss with care and authenticity in an age-appropriate way. Rich’s muted, expressive watercolors are well suited to the gently solemn tone of the story. Lizzie and Mom are brown-skinned, while Joshua and his family are lighter-skinned; their community is diverse.\u003cbr\u003e\nA sensitive introduction to grief and to Jewish mourning rituals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-571-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5–8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication date: March 24, 2026 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}