With a Needle and Thread

A Cuban-Jewish girl and her abuelita transform a beloved dress into treasured symbols of community and tradition. A heartwarming tale of resilience, creativity, and celebration—stitched together with love, faith, and a little lo que sea. Romi lives with her abuelita in the small Jewish community in Santiago de Cuba. They don’t have much here, but with a little imagination and lo que sea, they’ll make it work-- so an outgrown dress becomes a blanket becomes a prayer tallis becomes a wedding chuppah and ultimately becomes a symbol at the center of this community’s celebrations. Author, Jennifer Stempel has woven her own Cuban Jewish heritage into this heartwarming folktale. Readers will delight in Libi Axelrod’s detailed illustrations which highlight the rich traditions of this unique community.