Queen Vashti's Comfy Pants

by Leah Rachel Berkowitz, Ruth Bennett (Illustrator)

Vashti the other queen in the Purim story has better things to do than jump to a king's selfish demands.

Genres: Jewish, Picture Books, Childrens, Feminism, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Rachel Kohlbrenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed this different take on Vashti for Purim. She brought it in to her Kindergarten class to share and it was a hit. I love this message for my independent and spunky daughter! The illustrations are also fantastic.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a feminist picture book but I really don't like the liberties taken with the story or the incredibly anachronistic elements.

[BiblioBickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feminist retelling of the story of Queen Vashti in verse attributing Vashti's refusal to "dance" for the king to her being in her "comfy pants" and entertaining her own friends.

Great read-aloud for Adar, Women's History, or other settings to discuss standing up for oneself and whether that is "mean" or not.

[Aj Fried · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best midrash stories I have ever read for Purim! Powerful women and comfy pants refusing to dance for the king—what could be better?!?

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical characters with a feminist twist. Loved reading the beautifully written rhyming story with illustrations. Little specially loved the strong female character and the idea of comfy pants over uncomfortable dresses. Perfect for your little feminist divas.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lively poem tells the story of Queen Vashti, King Ahasuerus first wife. Most religious people who read the bible know the story of how the king put her aside for not dancing in front of his guests and replacing her with the secret Jewess Esther. But was that really a good move? He replaced a decent woman who refused to compromise her dignity by prancing around like a fool and traded her for a girl who deceived him about her religion.

In this story, we see a Vashti who is kind to her guests, friendly, fun, entertaining and comfortable in her favorite clothes. She doesn’t dress up to be with her friends and doesn’t require them to dress up either. They’re all there to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

Her joie de vivre and her subsequent annoyance at her husband’s imperious demands that she abandon her company to gallivant around in front of his friends understandably rubs her the wrong way. He requires her to dress up as well, putting on her royal robes and crown when she just wants to relax.

The ending of the story is the one known from Scripture but celebrates Vashti’s spirit. Not only does she leave her husband but she takes her intrepid friends with her! Thus the book celebrates the courage and integrity of an ill-treated woman, giving her a proper story and a happy ending.

When the back cover asks whether one would be an Esther or a Vashti, I believe I know what my answer would be.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This midrash on the introductory story of the Book of Esther is a delight, and it’s also very much of its time and place: comfy pants were a much-discussed side benefit of the lockdown period of the Covid pandemic. (Although the illustrator is British, and wearing pants and marching harks back to the suffragettes!) The pictures show racial diversity which was probably true of the Persian Empire, and makes a point of showing a woman in a (wooden) wheelchair. I suspect that’s an anachronism. Strawberries probably did not belong there either, any more than wiffle ball. But that’s not the point: it’s a girl power book.

[Amanda Novak]

I received a copy of this book from our local PJ Library. I had never really paid attention to the story of Queen Vashti before. I loved how the book brought the story to life with catchy rhymes and beautifully colored illustrations. It was wonderful to read how powerful Queen Vashti was by standing up for herself.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely retelling of Queen Vashti. We don't know much about the other queen in the Book of Esther. I have always cherished her for saying no to King Ahashurarus. This children's version with its rhyming cadence will inspire children and adults. Now I will go change into comfy pants for the rest of my day...Happy Purim!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this rendition of Queen Vashti's story.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the general idea of queen vashti as a strong woman, but I don't particularly like the liberties taken with the purim story.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun retelling of a Biblical story. And wonderful encouragement for girls and women everywhere.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Vashti's Comfy Pants is a fun, engaging, and vibrantly illustrated modern feminist Midrash. An interesting take on the Purim story, it's a lot of fun, has a great message, and the rhyming really flows. Recommended!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sure I had written a stellar review upon first meeting this comfort read of a book. But it's no longer showing up. In short, read this book if you want a reminder on healthy boundaries and saying no. It's a favorite.

Original read: February 2021, thanks to the Grinspoon Foundation's PJ Library.

Reread: May 2025.