I was so excited to get my pre-order of Gitty and Kvetch in the mail! I’ve known Caroline for over a decade. Seeing her words in print is an amazing feeling. So proud and excited! Don’t worry, though, this review includes my honest thoughts on the story of Gitty and her BFF, Kvetch. Buy it on Amazon (affiliate) or on Bookshop or a bookstore near you.

My Reader Thoughts:

What I love about this story is that I see myself in both Gitty and Kvetch. I can be a bit of a perfectionist, like Gitty, and a pessimist, like Kvetch. I get super excited about my creative projects, like Gitty; I get grumpy when things go wrong, like Kvetch. The back-and-forth between these two characters is funny and sweet, but it’s also like watching two sides of myself talking to each other. Makes for a really engaging read.

My Writer Thoughts:

Most of my picture book manuscripts have a sprinkle of Spanish words in them. This book has more Yiddish words than I have Spanish words, but it’s still really educational to see how Caroline smoothly integrates these words throughout her story. There’s also a lot of dialogue, which is different from many PBs I’ve read. I have a manuscript that is dialogue heavy, so I can see myself using this as a mentor text in that respect.

My Teacher Thoughts:

Obviously, it’s a great book for introducing Yiddish words. But, it’s also a great story about overcoming disappointment and relying on a great friendship to get you through a storm. Having two very different characters also gives teachers the chance to introduce point of view to students, and the complexities that comes with that concept.

More Information:

Illustrator: Ariel Landy

Release Date: September 14, 2021

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Reading Age: 4-8

Overall Stars: 5/5

“Quit that kvetching! All hope is not lost!” – Kvetch

Gitty and Kvetch, Caroline Kusin Pritchard

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