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.
Award-winning journalist and freelance writer, Helen Weiss Pincus, has taught memoir writing and creative writing throughout the NY Metro area to senior citizens and high school students. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Record, The Jewish Standard, and other publications. She recently added “Bubby” to her job description.
