Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Annelie Geissler
Categories
Children’s picture books

ONE SMALL SPARK

Victoria Tentler-Krylov Ruth Spiro

A Tikkun Olam Story

A young girl is inspired to make a difference in this thoughtful and lyrical exploration of the Jewish philosophy tikkun olam or repair the world.

Imagine the world you want to live in. If it's not the world you see, will you create it? So begins a young girl's journey to solve a problem she notices one rainy day while walking to school. In that moment, the small spark inside her grows and then connects her to others who are inspired to make a change and help the world become a better place. This lyrical and very personal text from beloved author Ruth Spiro, with breathtaking and imaginative illustrations from Victoria Tentler-Krylov, explores the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or taking part to repair the world. It's sure to inspire young readers to nurture their own small spark, taking action today that will change the world tomorrow. Ruth Spiro is the author of the popular Baby Loves Science series and the Made by Maxine series. She lives with her family in Chicago. Victoria Tentler-Krylov grew up in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and studied architecture and urban design at Cooper Union and Columbia University. She has illustrated several acclaimed pictured books and lives with her family just outside Boston.

Available products
Book Published 2024-08-27 by Dial Books for Young Readers

Comments

Tentler-Krylov, ever an exuberant, choreographic chronicler of city life, fills digitally enhanced watercolor spreads with bright colors and a host of energized, roll-up-their-sleeves characters who not only rejuvenate their public space but make new and deeper connections with each other as they do so. Spiro doesn't directly name the Jewish concept of tikkum olamHebrew for "repair the world"until the very end of the work's blank verse text, which nevertheless vividly evokes the concept's galvanizing power throughout.

Readers are reminded that they should be motivated not by gratitude or praise, but by the desire to improve the world. Above all, children are reassured that while effecting change isn't always easy, it's possible through collaboration, creativity, and practice.The artwork is spectacular. Each good deed is represented by a swirling, bird-filled plume of color. As more acts of kindness and community accumulate, the sparks swirl together to transform a drab world into a joyful riot of color.A stunning reminder that we all have the power to make the world a better place.

A lovely picture book sure to inspire the youngest changemakers to create the world they want to live in, and a reminder that cultural and even religious adages or tenets are worth pondering and enacting. Recommended for all collections.