Sitting Shiva
A little girl grieves the loss of her mother, but she can’t grieve alone.
When her friends and family arrive at her house to sit shiva, laden with cakes and stories, she refuses to come downstairs. But the laughter and memories gradually bring her into the fold, where she is comforted by her community. By the end of the book, she feels stronger and more nourished, and she understands the beautiful tradition. Then, when sees her father sitting alone, she is able to comfort him in his time of need. Sitting Shiva is a beautiful, heartfelt story about grief and loss, but also about comfort and community. It shows that no matter what religion you practice, we are all more similar than we are different.
A note from the author explains the ritual of sitting shiva, a seven-day period of mourning for the death of a family member observed in Jewish homes.
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News & Interviews
- Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour! Interview with Erin Silver, author of SITTING SHIVA
- Listen to The 2023 Sydney Taylor Book Awards podcast
Reviews for Sitting Shiva
- “This had me sobbing at my desk. Genuinely hope this one never needs to be checked out, but I’m glad our parenting collection at least now has a really solid option for Jewish children dealing with grief.”
– Jessica, Goodreads - “Explains the Jewish mourning period in a gentle, easy-to-understand, caring manner…Simple and accessible…Carefully phrased, evocatively illustrated, and emphasizes time spent with family and friends.”
– Jewish Book Council - “Shows great empathy for a child’s feelings when coping with loss. That Silver does this task in a unique and emotional way that manages to convey the traditions associated with the practice of sitting Shiva is admirable. Highly Recommended.”
– CM Canadian Review of Materials - “With its lovely, warm illustrations and perfectly pitched storyline, provides an accessible introduction to shiva for readers of all ages…A sensitive, powerful treatment of a child’s grief.”
– Kirkus, Volume XXVIII, No. 17, January 7, 2022