A BOOK ABOUT BUPKES

Can nothing ever be something? Can something come from nothing?

Bupkes is a Yiddish word defined on the first pages of this book as “nothing,” “zero,” and “zilch.” Accompanying artwork drives home the point as a young girl named Zoe gestures at the air; in another image, her dog sniffs at…well, nothing. On another page, a magician directs Zoe into a curtained box, then, on the next page, opens the curtain to reveal that the box is empty: “Bupkes!” Then the narration takes on a philosophical tone, because “bupkes…can be tricky.” Zoe and her mom fill their baskets with vegetables from a lush garden until there is nothing left. Is this bupkes? The garden is empty, but the elderly neighbor to whom they’ve given the bounty of veggies is happy. A series of vignettes follow. Zoe picks up trash in the park, leaving nothing but a clean park with smiling kids, and she and her dad enjoy themselves while emptying the kitchen of dirty dishes, leaving it sparkling. Joyful, bright, loose-lined illustrations will help young readers understand that the idea of nothing can “feel like everything.” It’s a difficult concept to grasp, but it’s effectively conveyed here, and the message is comforting. Zoe and her parents are light-skinned; their community is a diverse one. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Thoughtful, tender, and charming. Definitely not bupkes.