Reviews
A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale
“This accessible chapter book tells the story of the events that led to the first Hanukkah. Devorah and Benjamin are disappointed when they receive an old dreidel from their Bubbe as a Hanukkah present. However, when they spin the dreidel, they are shocked to find themselves in… View →
Coriander the Contrary Hen
“A hardheaded hen plumps down in the middle of the road and brings traffic to a screeching halt in this rhythmic rural ruckus. . . Chaconas’ text is paired to hilarious views of a small hen with a big red comb and an even bigger attitude.”… View →
The Boy from Seville
“This suspenseful novel gives a gritty look at life in Spain during the Inquisition. The action is non-stop and the suspense builds throughout the book as Manuel narrowly escapes discovery time after time.” View →
Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes: A Very Silly Alphabet Book
“Billing itself as ‘very silly’ isn’t an exaggeration for this zany alphabet book as it pairs letters with offbeat combinations like Elvis with evergreens and newts with necklaces. Written in a rhythmic rhyme that conjures the verse of Edward Lear, this text… View →
Will and Squill
“The tongue-twisting text further animates this take on a well-worn theme.” —Kirkus View →
A Jewish family sits down to eat. ―Bread and butter on my plates./ I‘m so hungry, I can‘t wait.// But Before I take a bite,/ I say some words / that feel just right.‖ The unidentified narrator (a yarmulke-topped little boy or a curly-headed little girl, both early-elementary age in… View →
Abraham's Search for God
“Young readers will find much to connect with in Abraham’s curiosity about the world in the accessible text.” View →
Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm
“Oy! Only in Chelm could there be such a problem—and such a solution. Chelm, that beloved but very foolish village of old-time Eastern European Jewry, has a problem as the first day of Hanukkah approaches. Faigel makes the best latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil).… View →
Everything I Was
“What appears to Irene to be a calamity is merely the beginning of a journey she didn’t know she wanted to take. A compassionate and convincing book.” —Ellen Wittlinger View →
“Haas (The Magic of Kol Nidre, Kar Ben Publishers, 1998) uses full-spread watercolor illustrations of pastels, blues, oranges and earth tones to visually tell the stories and augment the text. Of particular interest to parents and guardians will be a section that gives… View →
Let's Have a Seder!
“Little children will enjoy looking at the pictures and gnawing on the pages (which probably taste about as good as matzo on the last day of Passover).” View →
The Purim Surprise
“The sweet illustrations will appeal to young children, and Naomi’s whining will amuse parents. This charming book is a good addition to any Jewish children’s book collection” View →
Raquela's Seder
Comforting, warm, deeply toned illustrations and simple, quiet storytelling portray a moment in the life of Raquela, a young girl who is an only child and… View →
Potatoes at Turtle Rock
“The authors, a mother-daughter team who wrote Tashlich at Turtle Rock have joined with the illustrator of that book to offer one family’s unusual, but creative, observance of Hanukkah. It is the sixth night of the holiday, snowing and cold. Mom, dad, children Lincoln and… View →
The Sounds of My Jewish Year
“The pictures are cute and engaging so that children will chime in with the appropriate sounds, probably with squeals of delight as they turn the pages.” View →
Counting on Shabbat
“From setting the table to counting the braids of a challah to welcoming guests, little ones will love looking at each picture and learning a little more about how this family prepares for the Sabbath.”―Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle View →
The Promise
“Based on a true friendship, The Promise is a unique example of how diverse people form life-long bonds with mutual respect and admiration. A lovely, heartfelt story.”―Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
Frank, Who Liked to Build: The Architecture of Frank Gehry
This biography of a famous Canadian-American architect is presented through freeform illustrations that grab your attention the way his buildings do. Energy jumps off each page, with the book’s combination of evocative words and emblematic works. Author… View →
Passover Is Coming!
“It is a delight to find a board book with simple, uncontrived rhymes that give just the right amount of information in a lively attractive format. Tracy Newman’s text on each page consists of two brief lines that rhyme and a third line that always states,… View →
Rebecca's Journey Home
“…[the story] tackles the complexity of racial, cultural, and ethnic identity within a warm, reassuring family unit…Its messages about unconditional love and the beauty of diversity will console both adopted and biological children alike.” View →
My Family Haggadah
“Recommended for preschoolers and their families.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Counting on Shabbat
“A lovely little rhyming poem celebrating the weekly Shabbat preparations.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →