Gathering Sparks Hardcover – August 3, 2010

We are reading this and Schwartz’s other book Before You Were Born to our little girl on the regular. We have other Jewish books that talk about holidays, etc but these offer a more spiritual and tender aspect of Judaism.

This is a beautiful book, both in the words and the illustrations. After we'd borrowed it from the library, we had to buy a copy for ourselves, as well as for an adult in our family that is always giving and doing good deeds for others. She was quite moved and loved it as much as we did. Excellent message, we love this one!!

Author Howard Schwartz and illustrator Kristina Swarner have worked together to present the kabbalistic story of creation and our purpose in life with beauty and gentleness--a wonderful story to read aloud to a special child in your life.

This was given as a gift ... the children (under 5 years) have made it their favorite book to have read to them.The parents are pleased with it as well!

This book fits perfectly into my introduction to Tikkun Olam and why the Diaspora occurred. Beautifully illustrated and lovely, lyrical verse.

As they look at the night sky, a child asks his grandfather where all the stars came from. Grandfather's answer is that "before people were created, God sent vessels carrying light sailing across the sky, which broke into sparks." He tells his grandson that the stars are part of these sparks, and "now it is the job of the human race to perform acts of loving kindness to gather those sparks of light and return them to their proper place," giving the boy such age-appropriate example as planting a tree, helping your baby sister, and being kind to animals as causing sparks to rise up and help form a peaceful world. A note at the end of the book explains the concept of the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam: that for every good deed we do, a little bit of the world will be repaired. Since the God in this book is not designated as being the God of any specific religion, Gathering Sparks can be used to communicate this message with those from every background.The book is gorgeously designed. Kristina Swarner's luminous, full-page mixed-media illustrations glow in muted colors, accenting the dreamy quality of Howard Schwartz's poetic text, which is based on a 16th century Jewish teaching about repairing the world. The award-winning author and illustrator have each written and illustrated many children's books and collaborated on Before You Were Born ( Roaring Book Press, 2005). Meant for ages 3- 6, this beautiful book is perfect for parents, grandparents and teachers to read with their children and students, and is highly recommended for all ages. Winner of a 2011 Sydney Taylor Book Award. Andrea Davidson

In the beginning, according to the 16thcentury myth by Rabbi Isaac Luria, God sent forth light in fragile vessels that shattered, scattering sparks everywhere. People were created to collect those hidden sparks and so repair the world, a concept that fuels the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam. Nowhere is the grand sweep of the Ari's tale more intimately told for children than in this luminous new picture book, where Schwartz's lyrical text glows inside Swarner's soft mixed-media spreads. The book opens with cozy conversation between a grandfather and his granddaughter under a night sky. She asks the universal question, "Where did all the stars come from?" His answer extends the Ari's story in a compelling, easily understood metaphor. Swarner`s vessels are mysterious, masted ships that sail festively out across a deep blue sky. The stars in heaven are light from those vessels, but other sparks still need to be found on earth. With each good deed she can do, the grandfather tells her - planting trees, helping her baby sister, being kind to animals, loving someone - the granddaughter releases another spark to become a star up in the sky. She will make the world a better place. Bit by bit, with each individual helping, the vessels and the world will become whole. In an afterword, Schwartz further explains the source of the story and the resonance of tikkun olam. This book will be treasured by religious schools and families alike. For ages 4 - 8. Sharon Elswit