Review: One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story
One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story
by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Dial Books for Young Readers (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Buy at Bookshop.org
One Small Spark is an empowering story about seeing broken things in the world (e.g., a swing that is no longer attached to its chain, part of a dilapidated playground) and repairing them, alone or with help. The book’s hopeful premise and promise is that if everyone pitches in to help and, in their own way, lights one small spark, the world will be a better, brighter place. Written in sweet, lyrical language, the text addresses readers directly: "Imagine the world you want to live in. If that's not the world you see, will you create it?"
One Small Spark is an empowering story about seeing broken things in the world (e.g., a swing that is no longer attached to its chain, part of a dilapidated playground) and repairing them, alone or with help. The book’s hopeful premise and promise is that if everyone pitches in to help and, in their own way, lights one small spark, the world will be a better, brighter place. Written in sweet, lyrical language, the text addresses readers directly: "Imagine the world you want to live in. If that's not the world you see, will you create it?"
The many examples of positive action are vibrantly depicted with bright, sweeping reds and oranges in Victoria Tentler-Krylov’s stunningly vivid illustrations, as the palette morphs from grey to colorful over the course of the story. A mix of movement-filled closeups and long shots show diverse neighbors coming together to clean up and repair the playground, fill the Little Free Library, and create a welcoming space for all.One character wears a kippah, and challah is served at the volunteer snack table. Fluttering, colorful birds represent the growing joy of doing good.
Tikkun olam, or “repairing the world,” is a concept that is important in Judaism, particularly in the Reform movement. The overarching idea is that the world is not (yet) a perfect place – there are cracks in the world. However, by repairing the cracks, we can make the world better. The storyline is secular, but the overarching concept – highlighted in the book’s title and ending – is the beautiful Jewish concept of tikkun olam. An author's note explains the history of the concept and points out its universality. It is this reviewer’s hope that One Small Spark will help many young readers, their families, and their communities to light their own small sparks.
Reviewer Linda Elovitz Marshall is an award-winning author of more than two dozen fiction and non-fiction picture books. She studied cultural anthropology at Barnard College/Columbia University. After living on a farm, raising four children and a small flock of sheep, then pursuing a Ph.D. in anthropology, and owning a bookstore, Linda began writing for children. Her Jewish-themed books include THE POLIO PIONEER: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine, GOOD NIGHT, WIND, The MEXICAN DREIDEL (with Ilan Stavans) and BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine with illustrations by Ukrainian artist Grasya Oliyko (HarperCollins).
Tikkun olam, or “repairing the world,” is a concept that is important in Judaism, particularly in the Reform movement. The overarching idea is that the world is not (yet) a perfect place – there are cracks in the world. However, by repairing the cracks, we can make the world better. The storyline is secular, but the overarching concept – highlighted in the book’s title and ending – is the beautiful Jewish concept of tikkun olam. An author's note explains the history of the concept and points out its universality. It is this reviewer’s hope that One Small Spark will help many young readers, their families, and their communities to light their own small sparks.
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