100 Rooms Book Review

100 Rooms
Written by Haya Shenhav
Illustrated by Yirmi Pinkus
Expected publication by Kalaniot Books: May 7, 2024

Mom's Review

100 Rooms beautifully and humorously illustrates the idea that too many possessions weigh one down. Based on Jewish teaching, this bright picture book shows a man who builds an excessively large house, to his own detriment. He may have enough space and belongings to have a room exclusively for curtains and another exclusively for beds, but he can't block out the light when in bed at night. Because the message is communicated with such humor and hyperbole, the reader can absorb the lesson without feeling judged. Shenhav and Pinkus strike the perfect balance between a heavy message and light tone.

100 Rooms certainly resonated with me, who has a tendency to acquire - and hold onto - things I don't need. I could certainly identify with the main character's feeling of freedom when he unburdened himself. I think this book could be a great conversation starter or the impetus to move toward a less materialistic existence one may have been considering but not yet embarked upon.