The Blue Butterfly of Cochin

The Blue Butterfly of Cochin is the story of the ancient Jewish Indian community's mass immigration to Israel in the 1950s. We follow Leah as she struggles to come to terms with leaving her beloved India and moving to the newly-formed country of Israel. Accompanied by a magical butterfly and through dream-like illustrations, both Leah and the reader, are transported from the lush Indian coastline to the awesome beauty of the Israeli desert.

K-Gr 3-Leah and her family are emigrating from their Cochin community in India to Moshav Nevatim, Israel, in this historical picture book about storytelling and the meaning of home. Leah loves her synagogue and sharing stories with children, while butterflies fly around her. She whispers of her sadness and excitement to one as they're moving to Israel, and the butterfly lets her know, "Cochin will always be with you, in your heart and in your stories." Full-bleed spreads show bold colors throughout, and each scene is a showstopper. A single tear rolls down Leah's cheek while the blue butterfly sparkles on her shoulder, blue billows surrounding the outskirts as her home is off-center right, with a detailed Shabbat lamp and mezuzah in the foreground. Leah and her family arrive safely to their new home and she discovers that despite its many differences, she will thrive because Cochin is in her stories. Written with the Jewish Indian Heritage Center and the Cochin Heritage Center, the back matter includes a history of "The Jews of Cochin" and glossary. VERDICT An excellent purchase for all libraries.--Rachel Zuffa "School Library Journal"
Leah, a young Jewish girl living in Cochin, India, is a storyteller. She loves her community and its religious traditions. When the community moves to the new state of Israel, she misses her home. A new friend, an olive grove, and a magical blue butterfly help her realize, "If those olive trees could make this new land their home, surely I can do the same...but India will remain a part of me forever." The story, while specific to a unique community, has a universal message, with which any child who has had to leave a home, school, or community could identify. The information about the Cochin community is presented appealingly, with additional historical background material and a glossary, at the end of the book. What makes this book shine are the illustrations, featuring lush, intensely colored paintings, rich with decoration. The illustrator is herself an Indian Jew, originally from Mumbai. The illustrations will hold children's interest as they listen to the story, and make this book a pleasure for adults to read aloud. While the community is not labeled as Orthodox, the synagogue, traditions, and dress are consistent with Orthodoxy. This title is highly recommended for homes and all synagogue, school, and public libraries.--Hillary Zana, Retired teacher and school librarian "Association of Jewish Libraries News and Reviews"
In this important and touching picture book, Mizrahi shares the history of Jews from Cochin, India, highlighting their magnificent ancient synagogue and the Jewish community's traditions. As the Cochin Jews get ready to move to the land of Israel, a magical blue butterfly reminds a girl named Leah that even though we may need to leave things behind, we carry our stories and must pass them on to others. Readers will learn much from the backmatter. The stunning illustrations were done by artist Siona Benjamin, whose work was featured at the Milwaukee Jewish Museum in fall 2022. Perfect for all ages.--Liza Wiemer "The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle"
In this warmly illustrated, emotional book, a young storyteller and her family prepare to emigrate from their ancient Cochin community by the sea in India to Moshav Nevatim in the Israeli desert. Leah's parents say they are "coming home" to Israel, but Leah doesn't want to leave the familiar traditions or surroundings of Cochin. A blue butterfly reassures her that the stories of Cochin and the Torah will travel inside her. On the kibbutz, however, Hebrew doesn't yet feel right on Leah's tongue. She misses the chanting sounds of Malayalam, and the air in Israel is so dry. Leah is wistfully drawing the blue butterfly one day when an admiring neigh-bor stops by and brings her to a grove of olive trees, where butterflies gather. Her new friend tells her that, like the trees planted by kibbutz dwellers, she, too, will be able to flourish and make this place her home. With the return of her magical butterfly friend, Leah now knows how to begin. Originally from Buenos Aires herself, educator Ariana Mizrahi creates a narrative of displacement that reads clearly and compactly. She reassures the young girl at the same time that she acknowledges her loneliness and feelings of loss. In exciting, double-page spreads, Siona Benjamin's illustrations reflect her own experiences growing up Jewish in India. Swirling clothes, dancing braids and leaves, scenes inside an ancient synagogue, and an inviting olive grove all offer a glimpse of life into mid-twentieth-century India and Israel.--Sharon Elswit "Jewish Book Council"
THE BLUE BUTTERFLY OF COCHIN by Ariana Mizrahi, illustrated by Siona Benjamin, follows Leah, who immigrates from her beloved home in India to Israel. Along the way, she is escorted by a lovely blue butterfly who gives her hope. Featuring gorgeous illustrations, THE BUTTERFLY OF COCHIN is a spectacular book that utilizes Nanographic printing, a cutting-edge technique that makes the illustrations pop with color.--Barbara Bietz "Jewish Books for Kids"

Ariana Mizrahi is a writer, teacher, director, and doctorate candidate in education leadership and innovation at The Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University in New York City. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ariana enjoys reflecting on her diverse background as a proud Hispanic Jew. Ariana is also the Director of Hebrew Language Instruction at Yeshiva Har Torah in Little Neck, New York. Ariana lives in Brooklyn New York with her husband and three children.

Illustrator Siona Benjaminis a painter from Mumbai, now living in the United States. Her work reflects her background as a Jew raised in a Hindu and Muslim India. Siona has a MFA in painting and a second MFA in theater set design. She was awarded two Fulbright Fellowships, one in India and a second in Israel. She has exhibited her work in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Siona does private and public art commissions, while also selling and exhibiting in galleries and museums. In 2021 she illustrated the children's picture book, I Am Hava: A Song's Story of Love, Hope and Joy by Freda Lewkowicz.

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