What should you do when you find something that doesn’t belong to you? This month’s book for five- and six-year-olds, A Hen for Izzy Pippik, offers a Jewish twist on a finders keepers dilemma.
When Shaina finds a beautiful hen in a crate that has fallen off a truck, she wants to look after it until she can give it back to its owner, but the adults in her poor community would rather make a nice dinner. Shaina stands her ground and adopts the hen. By the time a surprised Izzy Pippik discovers his hen has been kept safe and sound for so long, Yevka has had chicks, the chicks have had chicks of their own, and the town has become famous – and prosperous – because of them. Shaina’s good deed is further rewarded: Izzy Pippik appreciates her honesty and gives her the chickens to keep.
The story of chickens overrunning a town is silly, but it has a serious side, and families can have a good discussion about what they would do in Shaina’s situation. By trying to return the hen to its owner, Shaina fulfils the commandment to return lost objects, hashavat aveidah, and in taking such good care of Yevka she fulfils the mitzvah of tzaar baalei chayim, caring for animals. A Hen for Izzy Pippik is based on a story from the Talmud about first-century sage Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa.
Last, but not least, are the illustrations. Charming and witty (both girl and hen sport a green “skirt”, a red “bow” and a black “plait”), they cleverly bring contemporary appeal to the tale’s historical setting and are sure to make families return to this book many times.
June 20, 2019