Brand-New Bubbe

Review to come August 7th to blog and to Goodreads in September. (August is my vacation month in which I will be mostly taking a break from blogging, there will be posts, but I won't be fully active).

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I just couldn't resist this book when I spotted it on NG! I mean, that cover is just so sweet and I wanted to know the story behind it. 

In this book we meet Jillian who has recently gotten a new and nice stepdad, but you know what comes with that as well? A grandmother! She calls herself Bubbe and she is more than eager to make friends with Jillian. Jillian however isn't in the mood, and I could also understand. It must have been strange already to have a new father, but to also get a grandmother, especially when one has two fantastic grandmothers! 

I had a laugh at her plan, yes, it was mean, but again I could understand from where she was coming from. I am glad though that it didn't deter Bubbe and that Jillian's mom even had a chat with Jillian. I was already wondering if that would happen or if this one would just magically leave such important chats out as do some children's books about this theme. 

I am so happy with the ending and I was surprised to even see a great-grandmother there! That is so amazing, I wish I could have met my great-grandmother! I just loved Jillian's idea and I was so proud that she dared to take that step. That she went for it! Plus, there is a fun surprise in the last picture that just made me smile! 

The art was really fun, I love the style and the colours. It fits really well with this story and I definitely have to see if I can find more art by this illustrator!

Extra points to the recipes at the end! That really completed the book for me! Plus, I love the extra resources, and oh yes, that final picture was just the cutest. Congrats!!! 

All in all, a very sweet book about family and that you aren't replacing people, you are just adding them to your family. There is always room for more family! Recommended!

This one was really cute! I liked the family. The daughter is dealing with a new step grandma and feeling lots of emotions. But in the end the food helps win her over and she brings her whole family together!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

'Brand-New Bubbe' is a beautiful story about family. The front cover is absolutely stunning, with fantastic illustrations to match!

My only concern is that within this sentence, ''She smothered Jillian with bright red kissy lips', commas may need adding in-between bright, red, and kissy lips. I found no other concerns bar this one, and the sentence structure, and language really flowed within the story.

I loved the seamless way the story introduced the concept of different cultures, and what love and family mean. I adored the character of Bubbe, and I liked the ending where Jillian gathered everyone together.

Rated 3.5 stars

Thank you to netgallery for allowing me to read this sweet and delicious book.

Jillian's mother remarries, and that brings in a new grandmother, her Bubbe. She thinks that two grandmothers are quite enough, and doesn't want anything to do with her, despite how her bubbe tries to get her to realize that there is plenty of love to go around.

Bubbe gets Jillian to make matza ball soup with her, and when Jillian tastes it she realizes that soup is symbolic of what a family is, all bits of things that go together as one.

The recipe for the soup, as well as her two other grandmothers' soups are included in this very sweet picture book.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

This is amazing! Jillians feelings about getting a new bubbe were validated, understood, and addressed. I respect that liking her wasn’t forced. Everyone allowed her to take her time processing this new change. In the end once she gave bubbe a chance she realized she wasn’t so bad all on her own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

So adorable! The artwork is beautiful, the story is sweet, and sends a great message about families coming together! I especially love the recipes added at the end, such a nice touch.

This is a very sweet picture book about how family can grow and the only requirement for family is love. I also liked how each of the grandmothers have a different moniker - gram and noni, and now Jillian is getting a bubbe now that her mom has remarried. I also enjoyed the way food was used as means of growing closer and soup the metaphor for how family is a blending of “ingredients.” Overall this was really cute, and I really loved the illustrations.

This was so cute!! You can definitely never have to much love in your life! I loved how the author compared love to soup! It was so cute and this would definitely be a good read for a little kid!!

This book was perfect! it would be perfect for a lesson on the different types of families someone could have or even a cooking lesson. Will definitely add this to my classroom library!

This story about Jillian and her Bubbe. It was nice to see her finally warming up to Bubbe.
This book teaches children that family is not only by blood.
Thanks to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC!

Great read for all families, kids' book clubs, and schools. There's an old adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Well this goes for a little girl named Jillian as well, who does her best to ignore the new grandma (or bubbe) to the family. After all, she already has two grandmas and she loves them a great deal. She doesn't need a third grandma (her stepdad's mother).

Bubbe is, however, not easily brushed off. She's a loving, caring woman ready with hugs, kisses, gifts, and when all else fails--homemade soup. But Bubbe's soup is different from Jillian's delicious favorites--Noni's meatball soup and Gram's spicy gazpacho.

Once Jillian accepts that Bubbe is not so bad after all, she devises a plan to bring all of the grandmas together--through cooking naturally.

This story is a wonderful teaching opportune of acceptance and what makes a family. All three grandmas soup recipes are included in the back of the book.

Kids will throughly enjoy Sarah Aronson's well thought out story about family. Ariel Landy does a brilliant job with her fun and colorful illustrations.

Thank you to Charlesbridge and Net Galley for providing an ARC of this book.

A lovely story about adapting to a new family life. With the image and idea of families changing, this story is a great one to show little kids just how similar we all are.

Brand-New Bubbe is a wonderful story about how to blend a family (and how to make soup). While I was immediately won over by Bubbe, Jillian took more time after all, getting comfortable in stepfamilies takes time and this book is a great way to explore the big emotions that can come with this adjustment. Jillian's struggle to welcome Bubbe because of her fear that she would be replacing the grandmothers that she already has felt very real. The line "like soup, family was made with love" stuck with me. It shows readers that it is possible to blend a family and traditions and the result is always that there is more love to share. I highly recommend this delicious book.

Such an adorable book! I miss my Bubbes!

You will love this beautiful storybook because of the Bubbe of course, but also for the storytelling and the recipes!

The concept of acceptance and found family vibes is perfectly reflected in this story.

Love the amazing artwork. I just love the recipes given towards the end. Didn't I mentioned it already?!

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

I just reviewed Brand-New Bubbe by Sarah Aronson. #BrandNewBubbe #NetGalley

Brand new Bubbe is a new upcoming book of Sarah Aronson. It is a beautiful picture book for children. I am really thankful to Netgalley and Charlesbridge who gave me a chance to read this book.
It is a story of Jillian who in her childhood is introduced to her stepdad and she faces a new family. Jillian tries to adjust with new family and her bubbe.
It is interesting read to know how she manages herself and how she brings all family members altogether. I loved reading this book.
I personally recommend this book for little kids and requests mothers of kids aging 5-8 should gift this book to their kids. Happy reading!

Thanks to Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.
I found this to be a charming book about families, new families and bonding around food! Jillian is a young girl whose parents are divorced and her mother has remarried. Her step-dad is a good guy but she now has a new grandmother, and is upset as to why she now as 3 grandmothers and does not want to lose her other birth grandmothers. The first visit is a disaster, the second goes better and eventually all 3 grandmothers come and make their own traditional soups and the bonding of the new family happens. Good story, very understandable situation and bonding over soups is "souper"! Supported by good illustrations, it also comes with 3 soup recipes that I have already copied!! Fine effort by both author and illustrator, this is a wonderful book about blended families and what we all have in common.

"Family is more than blood."mom said, "give Bubbe a chance."
I love this wonderfully illustrated picture books, especially the message of the book is clearly sent out to the readers. It teaches us how to accept a new person in the family. Everyone deserves a chance.

Jillian has a new step-father and now there is Bubbe! She already has two wonderful grandmothers and doesn't think there is room in her family or her heart for another one. Jillian's mom wants her to try. Bubbe show her how to cook Matzo Ball soup and convinces her that a Bubbe is a good thing. But how does she convince her other grandmothers? Jillian invites all of the grandmothers to a cooking date and the family bonds over three wonderful soup recipes that the author shares. The art work is bright and cheerful and no one can resist the cover of the book! Jillian faces the problem of new family ties and the author gives a wonderful example of sharing family time in the kitchen.

Excellent picture book exploring blended families with different traditions and the complicated feelings that arise when meeting new family. There is a resource guide at the end of the book along with recipes from the cultures celebrated in the book. Even if the reader doesn't identify with the Italian, Hispanic, or Jewish heritage the universal story of blended families will appeal to preschoolers who are coping with big feelings.

A much needed addition to bookshelves to help kids work through the emotions of divorce and stepfamilies as well as balancing different cultural traditions within the family. A definite addition to library shelves.

"Brand-New Bubbe" is a really sweet story about introducing new family members and mixed families. The book validates the main character's feelings of fear, anger, and confusion in adapting to her new "Bubbe" while showing how rewarding it is to embrace and love new family dynamics.

Brand-New Bubbe by Sarah Aronson

I like this. We all know that food brings people together. In this story, soup brings families together perfectly.
I think “Brand-New Bubbe” will be a perfect addition to the blended library of a blended family. Classrooms could read this story in a unit of family life.

There are many reasons a child will have more than the traditional two grandmas. Change can be uncomfortable in the beginning. This lovely story helps children realize that when a family is blessed with extra grandmas, there’s plenty of love to go around. The lovely illustrations and the 3 soup recipes are a tasty addition.

Thank you Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the digital advanced reading copy of this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Brand-New Bubbe is the perfect recipe for a humorous, fun filled picture book.

Jillian has Noni and Gran. She doesn't need another grandmother and definitely not one that leave trails of red lipstick kisses on her face. NO! There is no room for matzo ball soup making Bubbe. But that all changes when Jillian's mom demands she spend time with Bubbe. Now Jillian has to figure out how to bring all of her grandmothers together and show them that she has plenty of love to go around.

Make room on your classroom bookshelves for Bubbe and Jillian. A brand new book about blended families and cooking. Perfect for our Pre-K to second grade classrooms with themes related to blended families, kindness, cooking, and problem solving.
BONUS....you even get three delicious recipes.

Jillian's family is growing by two - a new stepfather and bubbe (grandmother). Jillian doesn't want another grandma as she already has two!
Food can bring us all together and that's exactly what happens in this sweet and heartfelt book. A great way to introduce and explain to younger children about the ways families can change and grow.

This picture book is so lovely!

Jillian's mum remarries and she gets an entire new grandparent "call me Bubbe".
In this book, Jillian is determined to not like Bubbe, or to even get to know her, despite all of Bubbe's attempts to do so.
Jillian already has a Noni and a Gram - she doesn't want (or need) another grandparent.

But eventually, with the help of some extremely delicious soup, Jillian warms up to her.

This book is going to be a great resource for younger children whose parents may get remarried. It shows just how hard it can be to fit into a new family mould, and I especially loved Jillian's mum saying "Family is more than blood". Because it is!

This was just all kinds of wonderful and I ADORED the illustrations - they were fun, vibrant, and captivating.

An easy 5/5 stars from me.

What do you do when you already have two grandmothers, but a third one is in your life right now? This is the problem Jillian faces when her stepdad becomes part of the family…now she has his mother, aka Bubbe, to deal with. Things become uncomfortable fast. Is there a solution for this disharmony? I haven’t come across a book like this with such a family dynamic, and overall it’s a cute story. I read this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

What an adorable book with a reminder for everyone-family is more than blood. I loved that it showcases different nationalities and that we can all get along with some effort. Jillian's personality shows through with the words and illustrations of how hard it is to accept new people into our family and Bubbe's personality was so easy to love. This is such a cute book to share with elementary school children.

When Jillian's mom marries Michael, she gets a brand-new Bubbe who she's not so sure about. I love how this book dealt with combined families. It's not always easy to accept change and a bunch of new people who are suddenly in your life. Jillian's concerns felt valid, and her reactions realistic. I especially appreciated that it was clear her problem-causing came from concern for the other grandparents in her life. Bubbe's patience and love is just heart-warming as she gives room for Jillian to work through her feelings, and doesn't let Jillian's actions affect the love she's always giving.

A wonderful story that gently reminds what family is, and how we contribute to make them a place of love and acceptance.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC!

Brand-New Bubbe by Sarah Aronson tells the story of a young girl named Jillian who has a new step dad as well as a new Bubbe. Jillian seems happy with her step dad; however, she is not happy about having a new grandmother. She already has two grandmothers and doesn’t see the need for a third. Jillian decides she will protest having a new grandmother. Her mom explained to Jillian that family is more than blood. Jillian eventually spends time with Bubbe by making matzo ball soup together and discovers she likes Bubbe. This leads to Jillian being concerned that her other grandmothers will feel left out or like they had been replaced by a new grandmother. So she invites all three grandmothers to a Super Soup Celebration. The grandmothers all have a lovely time together making soups. Jillian decides that like soup, families are made with love and that there is always room for more. The back of the book has recipes for all of the grandmothers’ soups.

This is a cute story about how to blend families. I like that the focus was on grandparents because there are already books on accepting step parents and step siblings. This would be perfect to share with children when they are going to be introduced to a new grandparent.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars

Jillian’s mom gets remarried, and her new stepdad comes with a brand-new (to her) grandma. And Jillian isn’t impressed. She’s already got two grandmas, and doesn’t see why she needs another one. But her new grandma, Bubbe, works hard to win her over. With a (not so gentle) nudge from her mom and stepdad, she agrees to give Bubbe a chance. Jillian feels a bit guilty though, because she worries that loving her new grandma will make her other grandmas feel left out. So she comes up with a plan to bring her whole family together. What could go wrong?

My little review gave this five (really really big) stars and I give it 4 1/2. The book is not only beautifully illustrated, it’s got a wonderful story that is so great for helping kids embrace blended families, and teaching all children that learning to love someone new doesn’t mean the people you already love will be loved less. It’s a delightfully multi-cultural book with three very different and fun grandmas, and I love that Sarah Aronson used the word “kvetch” in a kid’s book.

As an added bonus, the author includes three recipes that are mentioned in the book in the back. We didn’t make any of them but I get hungry every time I read the book!

I was provided an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks to the publisher and the author for providing it to me.

This is such a sweet book about bonus grandparents, remaking of families and learning to open your heart to new people who may just make your life happier, even if you don't think you need it. Jillians Mother remarries and she finds herself with a new person in her life in the form of her step parents mother, who asks to be called Bubbe. Through kindness, patience and bonding Jillian learns there is always room in your heart for new family & love. A great book to read with kids, especially those that may be blended families or have the potential to be future blended families. Such a lovely story.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Brand-New Bubbe is a really cute story about family and acceptance. The girl in the story is pleased her mum has met someone new after separating from her dad, but doesn't understand why she needs another grandmother (Bubbe) when she already has two. Mum chats to her and tells her to give her new Bubbe a chance. Reluctantly the girl does and they end up bonding over Bubbes soup along with her other two Bubbes and her great grandmother too!
This is a great book for children with found families and to teach all children about how different and unique all families are.

A celebration of all the love a family can give, in whatever form family shows itself. I loved this book so much - grandmothers are so special and kids with "non-traditional" families will see that the more family they have just adds to more love and more wonderful things to learn and experience.

What do you do when a new grandparent comes into your life? Jillian likes her new stepdad, but he comes with his mother--Bubbe. As far as Jillian is concerned, she already has the requisite number of grandmothers, Gram and Noni and neither needs nor wants Bubbe in her life. Bubbe tries to connect with Jillian and finally wins her over when all three grandmothers come over to Jillian's house where each makes her favorite soup!

Includes recipes for Matzo Ball Soup, Italian Wedding Soup, and Gazpacho.

I'd recommend this book for anyone with children from pre-school through Grade 2, but especially for those who have a blended family. Five Stars!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is about a little girl who has a new grandmother to go with her other two, and she is not very happy about it and doesn't know how to react. Fun soup recipes at the end of the book.

Something I never imagine before is recomposed family. When your parents separate and one of them remarried, you will have a new family. In Jillian's case, a new grandma. And a new family member is not as easy as it seems. This book told the story of love, and how you can always love another members of your new family. Maybe a little bit of a fantasy, having new members that love you unconditionally, but we have to give them a chance.

This picture book is adorable and fits so well with our modern families (blended, reconstituted, and with so many different origins). I love the content and the idea that there is always more room for love in a family, and that varying traditions can blend together into a beautiful whole. Very sweet and bright and colorful- it would make a great addition to a family library and my synagogue library as well.

This story had wonderful illustrations and an amazing message; family does not always have to be the people that are related to you by blood. The story really helps to show a young child’s perspective of how it might be difficult to accept new people into your life. Greatly enjoyed.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jillian's mom got re- married, and besides a step- dad, she also got a step- grandma. She treated Jillian like she's one of her own, smothering with her with big kisses, trying to play with her all the time, and offering her home- cooked meals. Jillian thought she didn't need a new grand mom, but mom told her "family is more than blood". By giving Bubbe a chance, Jillian discovered there's always room for another person in your heart.

A cute book with great art and a sweet story. I really, really appreiate also seeing normal Jewish charecters living normal lives. A realistic approach to joinging families without shaming the nerves around the sitaution. A few small typos but nothing that took away from the story.

Jillian isn't too sure of her new bubbe (grandmother) when she's already got two others! But along the way she learns that family is more than blood and you can never have enough family (or soup!).

I fully plan on giving bubbe's matzo ball soup recipe a try myself.

Thank you to Net Galley for making this book available in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a sweet book. Jillian's mom is getting re-married and her new bonus dad comes with a Bubbe. I love that Jillian works through all of her emotions and eventually realizes that family is more than blood.

I also love all the soup recipes at the end of the book, who doesn't love a tasty soup.

This lovely picture book will be published in August 2022 and I'm lucky to have read it through NetGalley. Thank you.

When a new addition to the family comes to visit, a young girl isn't so sure about her. "I already HAVE Noni and Gram." But Bubbe makes the best matzo ball soup. "But my other grandmas make soup, too." Mom finally introduces a new concept to the child: Family isn't only blood relatives. You can make up a family of all kinds of people, brought together by love.

I love this message and the recipes at the end of this book! It's true, we are all one family - if we see through a lens of love. Sarah Aronson brings this brand-new Bubbe for us all to love.

This was a fantastic story in terms of blended families! It’s hard for kids to process parents being divorced and then remarrying on its own, but then throw in the new family members? Oy! It’s even harder! This is a really great representation of how to ease into it without overwhelming the kids. It’s normal for kids to have a hard time adjusting, but given time, they absolutely will. It definitely made me cry at the end!

This is a charming novel about a girl with a lot of grandmothers, and how changing your family can be hard! But sometimes, it’s good for new things to happen, and for kids who have families that aren’t all related by blood. ALSO THERE IS A RECIPE IN THE BACK. Obviously this ticks it up to five stars for me. It’s a great addition to any library, especially for kids who are going through family changes.

Jillian finds herself in a jam. Her mother has remarried, and her beloved stepfather comes with some baggage: his mother, now looking to be Jillian’s Bubbe (“grandmother” in Yiddish).

Jillian’s having none of it. She believes it would be disloyal to the two grandmothers she already has: Noni and Gram. This picture book is a wonderful way to teach children that love isn’t like pie; there’s always more! Plus the book ends with three wonderful soups, one from each grandmother. Shtik naches! (What a joy!)

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Charlesbridge in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super sweet story! I wish it was a tad longer, like there was space for a bit more to happen, but overall I enjoyed it. The illustrations were beautiful and the recipes at the end were a very nice touch.

The main character gets a new grandma after getting a stepdad. There are several yiddish words the reader could struggle with. The character feels another grandma is not needed. Finally grandma is given a chance even though they already have 2 grandmas already. It could be a feeling many readers have experienced.

Thank you to the author, Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely children's book with great illustrations about family, and how change in families can be hard. Food, and more specifically soup, plays a central role in showing how love can help to blend families and traditions - and as a result, there is more love to share. I loved the way different cultures were introduced into the story, and the recipes at the back of the book are a huge plus. Highly recommend!

I loved this book, it is so cute and sweet. As someone from a blended family, I can totally relate to the apprehension of meeting new family additions. I really adored how food, specifically soup, brought all three grandmothers together.

Jillian has a great family - she has a mom, a dad, a really nice stepdad and a Noni and a Gram whom she loves dearly. But along with her stepdad Michael comes his mom, her brand-new Bubbe and she just isn’t sure there is room for another grandparent. Despite Bubbe’s best efforts to charm her, Jillian worries this new Bubbe will make her Noni and Gram feel replaced and hurt. When Bubbe shows up with all of the fixings for her famous matzo ball soup, Jillian has a delicious idea that may just blend all of the important people in her life into one happy family.

This book is such a great celebration of blended families and does a fantastic job navigating the conflicted feelings that children may face as their families grow and change. We loved how the story was tied together with a fun culinary theme and how that subtly explored the many diverse backgrounds that made Jillian’s family unique.

Such a lovely story showing the importance of family and how good food can help bring people together!

I adored all of the illustrations and found the style so cute and welcoming. I also loved the fact that there were recipes included at the end and may have to attempt these myself!

I'm a big fan of Sarah Aronson's work, and Brand-New Bubbe did not disappoint. This story is a must have for kids with blended families. Love is at the heart of any family, and you can feel the love in every page. Highly recommended for caregivers, teachers, counselors, etc.

Loved this little book. Succinctly explored and validated the main character’s feelings of trepidation at having a new relative like this, while also allowing for growth. Also helping to normalize late in life remarriage as a concept for children.