Little Sophia has a good friend in Mrs. Goldman. Mrs. Goldman knit baby Sophia her first hat, and she also knit her favorite one with kitten ears and matching mittens. Mrs. Goldman made a dinosaur sweater for her dog, Fifi, and she knit hats for all the neighbors, too—but not for herself. When she and Sophia walk Fifi, the only one whose keppie is freezing—and whose ears are turning red—is Mrs. Goldman.
So, although Sophia is not very good at knitting, she decides to surprise her friend with a handmade hat. She drops first stitch and then another, and finally when the hat is done, there are so many holes in it that it resembles a monster hat! Sophia can’t give such an unsightly cap to kind Mrs. Goldman. Luckily, she has an idea. Sophia’s one specialty is crafting pom-poms, a skill she learned from Mrs. Goldman. Maybe she can put her pom-pom expertise to good use. When the hat is finally finished, not only does it keep Mrs. Goldman’s keppie warm, but Mrs. Goldman loves it. Being able to do something for a dear friend is, indeed, a mitzvah.
Michelle Edwards’ gentle story, paired with G. Brian Karas’ lively illustrations, will delight anyone who has ever tried to make something special for a friend. The addition of a few Yiddish words and the joys of a multigenerational friendship give this story a special resonance, and the instructions for making pom-poms and a Sophia hat will have readers begging for yarn.
Billie B. Little is the Founding Director of Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, a hands-on museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
