Review Detail

“Sweet Babe! A Jewish Grandma Kvells” by Robin Rosenthal has readers join an excited Bubbe (grandmother) who finds much nachas (joy) in her grandchild. The book touches on Yiddish phrases, while also sharing a love of family and the power of “l’dor v’dor” (generation to generation).

The grandmother in the story is watching her grandchild. She loves using phrases such as “bubbeleh” to talk to the baby. Her terms of endearment and the games she plays seem to make both her and the baby happy. She enjoys talking to the baby in Yiddish, using words like “punim” (face), “keppie” (head), “henties” (hands), “pulkies” (chubby baby thighs), and “verklempt” (overwhelmed with joy and pride). The story, while simple, brings the joy of being Jewish and loving one’s family front and center.