As Big As An Egg: a Story About Giving

Plot

From Scientific American
Even the poorest should help those less fortunate, as is shown in As Big as an Egg: A story about giving: Set in the then Soviet Union during World War II, it tell of Chaim's efforts to avoid sharing his bit of bread with the sick who are unable to stand in bread lines. A magical something in his house nibbles nightly at his hoarded bread until he begins, once again, to earn Bubba Hinda's blessing, "Zol zein tzu mitzvah," by giving to others. Also out to teach a lesson, this book, at least, makes it fun.
From The New Yorker
G-d's messengers take mysterious forms. The story takes place in Russia during World War II when food was scarce. After standing on a long line following a hard day of work to obtain his ration of bread, Chaim is stopped by Bubbe Hinda who is collecting donations of bits of bread for poor people. Chaim breaks off a piece of bread as big as an egg and drops it into the sack. Unwilling to contribute again, he avoids Bubbe Hinda and keeps the whole loaf of bread, securing it after dinner and covering all the mouse holds to protect it from mice. But for three mornings he finds a piece missing as big as an egg and spies a mouse's tail disappearing. Finally, he understands and donates thereafter, as big as two eggs, after which the mouse runs out of the house and his bread is no longer robbed. This is an appealing well-told story that reads like a folk tale although it is based on a true story. It has two child-pleasing repetitive refrains: a Yiddish blessing and the as big as an egg, and well composed, drawn and painted evocative illustrations.