About this item
Is Dalia’s little blue box magic—or is the real magic the generosity that helps her fill it? When Dalia learns about tzedakah, the Jewish tradition of charity and caring, she creates a tzedakah box where she can keep the money she’s saved to help those in need. Her little brother Yossi is curious about the Hebrew letters painted on the box. "Are those letters magic?" he asks. They must be because Dalia tells him she's putting a big yellow comforter, a butterfly bush, and a banana cream pie inside of it! How ever will she do it? Though there may be joy in receiving, Dalia’s story serves as a powerful reminder that the greatest joy of all comes from giving generously to others.
About the Author
I was born in New York City and continue to live there. I received a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design and began my professional career as an animator. My film Album was shown at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Venice Biennale. I also worked on numerous TV commercials and television shows. I received a 1996 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction and had an honor story in The Best American Short Stories 1991, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, won a Literal Latte Fiction Award in 1998 and has had stories in Boulevard, the Northwest Review, New Letters, the Alaska Quarterly Review, Quarter After Eight, Ascent and other publications. My stories have been selected for several anthologies. I have also written and illustrated eleven children??s books. My books received the Parents Choice Award and the Bank Street Award among other honors. Today is the Birthday of the World was released by Dutton in April, 2009. The Castle on Hester Street was reissued in a special anniversary edition by Simon & Schuster in 2007 and is the only book in the forty year history of the Sidney Taylor Award to be honored twice. I taught children??s book writing and illustrating at the Parsons School of Design and haven given writing and art workshops for children throughout the city.
