By COLlive reporter
Does your child dislike brushing their hair?
Then let them meet Mimi.
Mimi does not like to brush her hair even if it means that she can’t go to some of her favorite places. She finally gives in when her father offers to take her to a very special place…
The charming tale of “Mimi’s Messy Hair” was written some 30 years ago by Aydel Lebovics OBM, a resident of Montreal and a popular children’s book author.
“I can’t count the amount of times people will tell me, “Your mother is the one who wrote ‘The Teeny Tiny Yarmulkah’? That was my favorite book as a kid!” says her daughter, Rochel Rosenberg.
“The book ‘What Will the World be Like?’ makes the idea of Moshiach real to kids and is loved by children and adults alike. Her two Sukkos books, ‘Zaydies Special Esrogim’ and ‘The Wind and the Sukkah’ are equally enjoyed by all.”
Mrs. Lebovics tragically passed away 15 years ago at the young age of 49, leaving over her family, many friends and scores of people of all ages who have been inspired by her 4 books that remain classics until today.
She also left behind 6 unpublished stories in a drawer in her home. Her brother, Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Director of Chabad of South Broward in Florida, has urged family members to get them published.
“It’s Pidyon Shevuyim! (redemption of captives),” Tennenhaus told his nieces and nephews upon the revelation of the masterpieces which were collecting dust. “They must be shared with the Jewish world.”
Each story had a personal touch. In fact, Rosenberg was the subject of the book “Mimi’s Messy Hair.” “This story was written about 30 years ago and was inspired by me, since I couldn’t stand brushing my hair!” she says.
“My mother wrote ten children’s stories. For various reasons, only four were printed,” Rosenberg said. As for the family, “we got busy with other things and 15 years passed and it still hadn’t been done.”
Finally, with the financial support of family and friends and the help of Chanie Sudak of Judaic Mosaic, Mimi’s Messy Hair was turned into an adorable book for young children ages 2 to 5.
After a year and a half of preparation, the book is finally published, complete with bright colorful pictures and laminated pages. It is now available in Jewish book stores and online at mimismessyhair.com and Amazon
VIDEO: A reading of the new book
Yes it is available at Hamafitz and Judaica World
We enjoy reading all the comments. They would be more meaningful if they were signed. We would love to hear from you at [email protected]
Thank you!
Aydel Lebovics’ A”H Family
My book just shipped today!!! I am so excited to read this to my children! As a kid I have always loved Mrs. Lebovics books and now my children do too!!!!
Thank you Rochel!
behatzlacha!
I knew Mrs. Lebovics briefly when I was becoming frum. Great to have her stories but hoping we will have her with Moshiach
Many years have passed since a lonely girl came to Yerres for seminary not knowing a word of French. It was through the kindness of Aydel and a few others who made the transition so much easier. Even though it is over 45 years ago, she is always remembered very fondly.
looking fw to reading Mimi’s….
We love you
I remember visiting Mrs. Lebovics in Montreal and she showed me a whole bunch of her unpublished work. I read some of them during my visit to her. Unfortunately, she never got to printing them. I am happy that her children are doing that so that so many of us can enjoy them. I hope this is only a beginning and we get to enjoy the others as well iy”h.
Some of my favriote books as a kid! May the Lebovics, Dworcan, and Rosenberg familys go from strenth to strenth!
My kids love “What will the world be like.”
Looking forward to reading them this one.
how about reprinting all of her books. Obviously with new graphics.
Is Mimi’s Messy Hair available in the Judaica book stores in Crown Heights? Thank you.
Thank you for telling us about the book. I did not have the zechus to know Mrs Lebovics AH but I know her son and daughter in law who run the Chaya Aydel Seminary. Her daughter in law Chanie is KAH an exemplary mensch, educator, friend and mashpia. Rabbi and Mrs Lebovics, we wish you much hatzlacha!!!!