Hip hip hooray! This is the FIRST Perfect Picture Book Friday post of the New Year! And it’s fitting that it’s a brand-new book that just launched AND that it’s about a strong woman who made a difference…my favorite topic for nonfiction picture books! I’m also excited because the author, Bonni Goldberg, stopped by to share her inspiration for the story and also to offer a GIVEAWAY – a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat that can also be used as a virtual author visit…so, make sure you let us know in the comments if you’d like to be the lucky winner and if you’d like to use it as an author Zoom chat or as a virtual school visit.

DONA GRACIA SAVED WORLDS

Written by Bonni Goldberg

Illustrated by Alida Massari

Published by Kar Ben (December 5, 2023)

Ages: 5-9

Themes: Courage, Activism, Jewish history

Synopsis: From Amazon:
In 16th-century Portugal, even Doña Gracia’s Jewish name was a secret. But she and her merchant husband helped other secret Jews, by persuading the king to protect them during the Inquisition. When her husband died, many said no woman would be able to run their international business, but Doña Gracia did. Escaping Portugal, she helped other Jews do the same, smuggling them out of the country on her spice ships in the night. Only in Turkey was she finally able to live freely as a Jew, and to use her resources to build synagogues, hospitals, and schools. Doña Gracia saved worlds.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love learning about people who made a difference – activists who most of us have probably never heard of – and who children need to learn about to be inspired to be activists, too. If Dona Gracia were alive today, I’m sure her name would be in the news as someone fighting for the right for Jews and all people to be able to practice their religions and customs without fearing for their lives.
2. I love the beautifully well-written text that addresses very difficult topics in an honest, yet gentle way.
3. I love the glorious illustrations…the artist captured the time period perfectly…and put us right in the moment with the characters.

Mini-interview with author Bonni Goldberg:
ME: Hello Bonni! Thank you for stopping by. We all love hearing about the story behind the story. Can you share how the idea to write this book came about?

BONNI: Thank you for having me, Vivian. I’m excited to share this story with the world.
The inspiration for writing this book was my own introduction to Gracia during a mother-daughter Bat Mitzvah program I was attending with my daughter, Isabel. Even though a number of the other mothers were very learned about Judaism and Jewish history, none of them had heard of Gracia either. But I did know three things. Jewish educators were always looking for strong Jewish women to include in their curriculum. There isn’t nearly enough representation of Sephardic Jews in most of the history American Jewish children learn. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing while Gracia was being left out of our story. And even beyond the Jewish community, Gracia was one of the most powerful women alive during the Renaissance. She broke norms for the women of her time and took on kings and courts to protect others.

Also, everyone is welcome to download free activities and teacher’s packet (set to curriculum standards) on my website:www.bonnigoldberg.com

WOW! Thank you so much, Bonni! That just goes to show we need to be ready to find new story ideas EVERYWHERE. And a quick aside…if anyone is looking for a great resource for ideas, Tara Lazar is hosting her world-famous STORYSTORM Challenge. You must sign up by January 7 for 30+ days of fabulous blog posts filled with brainstorming gold: https://taralazar.com/2023/12/27/storystorm-2024-registration/

To connect with Bonni or to find out more about her books:
www.bonnigoldberg.com
www.facebook.com/bonnigoldbergbooks
www.twitter.com/bonnigoldberg
www.instagram.com/goldbergbonni

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Bonni shared a special recipe with us:
SEPHARDIC PINK RICE

Rice is a staple in the Middle East, and this recipe is especially favored by the the Greek Jews of Rhodes.

1 cup long grained white rice, washed
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups water
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 teaspoons salt

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a medium pot with a tight fitting lid, heat oil, rice and onion over medium high heat. Stir to coat rice with oil and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often until rice and onion are translucent. 
2. Add water, ketchup and salt. Stir once, lower heat and cover. Cook without peeking for 20 minutes. Uncover, fluff rice with a fork and let sit 5 minutes with the lid on slightly ajar to allow steam to escape.
~makes 3 cups cooked rice

PJ Library has a great website filled with activities, lesson plans, and of course, book suggestions. Here’s a link that explains how to prepare BIMUELOS, little round doughnut treats your kids will love to help prepare…and eat!

Follow this link for the recipe and more activities for the whole family:
https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/november-2022/kid-friendly-hanukkah-recipe-bimuelo

Please don’t forget, my friends, new books need our help. We can:
Buy them
Review them
Put them on our Goodreads WANT TO READ shelf
Tell everyone about them (please share this post on your social media)
Ask our local library to purchase copies for their collection

And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat for yourself or a 30-minute virtual school visit for your class.