Mighty Micah
Jane Yolen author Steliyana Doneva illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Behrman House Inc.,U.S.
Published:22nd Feb '24
Should be back in stock very soon
"Reminds readers of the value of standing up to bullies."—Jewish Book Council
"Unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Judaic themed picture book collections." —Midwest Book Review"The colorful and lively illustrations portray the excitement and fun of Purim celebrations along with the seriousness of feeling in control and safe...Mighty Micah will be a popular Purim story!!" Association of Jewish Libraries
Micah loved the noise maker, called a gragger, that he used at his family's Purim party. With it they celebrated the defeat of the wicked Haman, a bully from biblical times who tried to get rid of the Jews. The gragger made him feel mighty! But on his way home, the gragger was lost. Micah was nervous that without it, he wouldn't be able to be brave, like Queen Esther who saved the Jews, and stand up to the bullies at his school. However, this gragger was powerful. It journeyed from a raccoon's hands, to a fish's mouth, to a heron's beak, back to Micah's front steps. Micah was so happy to have his gragger back! He took it to school and showed it to the class, so everyone could feel its mighty whirr, whirr, whirr, and they too could feel powerful and safe.
Also included is a note from the author with a brief summary of the story of Purim, and how it's themes of strength, courage, and safety can apply to all children today.
It’s the holiday of Purim, and a large, powerful-sounding grager gives a small elementary school boy a strong sense of security. Micah feels mighty and confident when he holds it in his hands and hears the fabulous noise it can produce. He knows the grager will subdue the frightening bullies in his life, the same way it was used to vanquish the name of evil Haman.
Reveling in how safe he is with this magnificent item in his possession, Micah sleeps peacefully and dreams of fine adventures. In the morning, he brings the grager to school, where an understanding teacher realizes its power to boost students' confidence. She offers it to the smallest child in the class, who then feels capable and competent. Micah discovers that true strength comes from inside, and that he can use this knowledge to help himself during difficult times.
The book’s color illustrations are reminiscent of Purim. An author’s note describes the history of the holiday and reminds readers of the value of standing up to bullies. It encourages us to think about the things we can do to make each other feel powerful and safe. —Helen Weiss Pincus, Jewish Book Council
Charmingly illustrated by Blarian artist Steliyana Doneva in full support of author Jane Yolen's picture book story celebrating the Jewish holy day/holiday of Purim, Mighty Micah will prove a fun and memorable read for children ages 3-6 -- and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Judaic themed picture book collections. Of special note is the inclusion by author Jane Yolen of a brief summary of the story of Purim, and how it's themes of strength, courage, and safety can apply to all children today. —Midwest Book Review
A Purim story that extols themes of courage, strength, and safety, this tale follows the adventures of Micah, a young boy who loves his mighty gragger. It makes him feel strong and brave like Queen Esther, and without it, he feels vulnerable and unsure of himself and fearful of the bullies in his class. On the way home from the family Purim party, the gragger is lost. But this gragger has its own power as it travels from a raccoon’s hands to the silver fish’s mouth to the graceful heron’s beak, which then eventually drops it right back at Micah’s house. Micah shows his class his mighty gragger and as they learn the Purim story, he recognizes the feeling of power and strength once again.
The colorful and lively illustrations portray the excitement and fun of Purim celebrations along with the seriousness of feeling in control and safe. The repetitive whirr…whirr…whirr of the gragger throughout the story will resonate with young children. A note is included with a brief discussion of Purim and how its themes apply to all children today. Although the term gragger is translated as noisemaker on the first page of the story, its purpose and use is not explained so that some basic knowledge of Purim is needed. Mighty Micah will be a popular Purim story!!—Rachel Glasser, Association of Jewish Libraries
- Winner of National Jewish Book Award 1989 (United States)
- Winner of Edward (Doc) E. Smith Award 1990 (United States)
- Winner of Golden Kite Award 1975 (United States)
- Winner of Ann V. Zarrow Award 1999 (United States)
- Winner of Caldecott Medal 1988 (United States)
ISBN: 9781681156293
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
32 pages