A warm, beautifully illustrated, timeless picture book —with back matter that includes information on the Purim play and a recipe for hamantaschen— that blends the joy of Purim with a reassuring story about overcoming fear, having courage, and believing in yourself. Goldie can’t wait to take the stage as Queen Esther in her synagogue’s Purim play—but when the curtain rises, her confidence suddenly disappears. Frozen with stage fright, Goldie draws strength from Queen Esther’s story, remembering that even Queen Esther had to be brave in the face of a new challenge. "A joy to behold." — School Library Journal "Zalben's detailed drawings of cozy interior scenes and her sweetly anthropomorphized bears are appealingly childlike." — Publishers Weekly