I Say Shehechiyanu - Softcover

Monika Filipini grew up in the beautiful old city of Thorn, Poland surrounded by cats and many other animals that are her main inspiration. After earning her B.A. and M.A. in Illustration in the United Kingdom, she lives in Thorn with her fiance and two cats.

"Rocklin (Fleabrain Loves Franny) and Filipina (the Adventures of Alonzo the Chicken series) follow a girl as she expresses thanks for things big and small throughout the year. Her appreciation is conveyed through the blessing of Shehechiyanu ('Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion'). The girl uses the prayer to mark ceremonial events in Jewish tradition, such as saying a blessing upon eating a new fruit in the New Year or lighting the Hanukkah candles on the holiday's first night. Other times, the prayer is spontaneous, sweetly childlike, and from the heart, as when her baby brother takes his first step and when she hears a bird singing in the spring. Vibrant, playful watercolor drawings depict each Shehechiyanu occasion with humor and excitement, while the concise text communicates just what being thankful is all about. Children (and others) will appreciate both the message and the accompanying illustrations as they learn to recognize how many opportunities life presents for Shehechiyanu." -- Publisher's Weekly

"Shehechiyanu is a Jewish blessing expressing thanks when something happens for the first time or when it happens again after a long time. Here a young girl considers the seasonal occurrences she appreciates in her own life. In autumn, round challah, new clothes, and eating in her family's sukkah are causes for celebration. Winter brings Hanukkah candles, dreidels, and snow; spring signals Purim costumes and Passover seders; and summer suggests playing outside, birthdays, and plans for fall. Rocklin's simple text will help religiously observant young listeners recall their own family experiences, while Filipina's colorful, cartoon-style artwork will trigger visual memories of these events. An additional story element involves the narrator's baby brother, who develops from an infant to a toddler during the year, reminding listeners that this blessing can apply to secular events as well. The words to this prayer are included in English and Hebrew, making this a good choice for religious schools and observant families with young children." -- Booklist Online

"A little girl experiences a year of joyous events and traditions. The Hebrew word 'shehechiyanu' is a special blessing for a new experience or one that reoccurs after a long period of time. Beginning with the Jewish New Year in autumn, this happy child savors the special foods of Rosh Hashanah, as well as a new school year, a new baby brother and a meal in the sukkah. In winter, she blesses her baby brother's first tooth, a beautiful full moon and the cozy warmth of her home as she spins the dreidel, lights a Hanukkah candle and welcomes guests for Shabbat dinner. Spring and summer bring returning birds, flower buds, a Purim costume, matzo at Passover and new accomplishments. Her little brother's rites of passage as he says her name, takes his first step toward her and reaches his first birthday are even more deserving of blessings. This unnamed girl is warmhearted, generous and utterly charming as she embraces every moment and sees goodness and joy all around her, all expressed, with great enthusiasm, in simply stated declarative sentences. Filipina's lovely, warmly hued illustrations beautifully complement and greatly enhance the text with detailed depictions of all the happy events. Readers not familiar with the traditions may wish there were a glossary or parenthetical pronunciation guide, though. A sweet year for all." -- Kirkus Reviews