Reviews
Hanukkah Delight!
“Newman (Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed) and Husband (The Noisy Foxes) team up for a blithe rhyming account of a festive Hanukkah celebration: ‘Friends and neighbors to invite./Ancient blessings we recite./ Gleaming candles burning bright./ Crispy latkes taste View →
Potatoes at Turtle Rock
“The creative team behind Tashlich at Turtle Rock (2010) returns with another story about a Jewish holiday–themed hike. Once again, young Annie is the leader and narrator; the title refers to her giving two baked potatoes to each family member during a Hanukkah walk… View →
Maya Prays for Rain
“It’s a warm fall day, and a spunky young girl greets her neighbors in her multicultural town. It seems like everyone is taking advantage of the sunny, dry weather by partaking in all kinds of outdoor activities. But when Maya learns that the evening’s synagogue service for the… View →
Maya Prays for Rain
“Shemini Atzeret may be the least likely holiday to be showcased in a picture book, but it’s about time for kids to learn a bit about this Jewish holiday that seems to be part of Sukkot, but actually falls after Sukkot is over. Because of the harvest and Israel’s rainy season, the… View →
The Cricket and the Ant: A Shabbat Story
“Most readers are familiar with Aesop’s fable, ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper.’ It tells the story of the grasshopper who lazes away the summer days while the ant works industriously to save food for the winter. However, when winter comes, the grasshopper goes View →
Black Beauty
“[T]his version features a story pared down to the essentials and illustrations that communicate the drama and pathos in ways that are accessible to younger children. . . . A satisfying picture book for young horse fans.”—Booklist View →
It's Chinese New Year!
“[S]traightforward sentences . . . [use] terms ideal for preschooler comprehension. . . . [T]his is a useful introduction to the basics of a holiday that will likely be unfamiliar for many young ones.”—Booklist View →
A Hanukkah with Mazel
“Hanukkah stories often center around family, but this one cleverly puts a new twist on the meaning of the word. . . . A fresh take on a very old holiday.”—Booklist View →
Rosh Hashanah Is Coming!
“Two young children celebrate the Jewish New Year by making a round challah, blowing the shofar, dipping apples in honey, delighting in a juicy pomegranate, putting on new clothes, and enjoying a festive holiday meal with family. As with its predecessors, Shabbat Is… View →
Gabriel's Horn
“Kimmel first adapted I.L. Peretz’s story ‘Seven Years’ for his collection Days of Awe: Stories for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Viking Press, 1991). Here is another version of the story in picture book format with a modern boy as the main… View →
Gabriel's Horn
“Times are tough, economically, for Gabriel and his family this Rosh Hashanah―their antique store and other neighborhood businesses are on the verge of shutting down. As a round challah is baking in the oven, a U.S. Army soldier (astute readers will note his name tag reads… View →
Rosh Hashanah Is Coming!
“Families can usher in the Jewish New Year with this colorful and lively toddler board book, the fifth in the Kar-Ben board book series on Jewish holidays by Tracy Newman and Vivian Garofoli (including ‘Shabbat is Coming!’ and ‘Passover is Coming!’). Young… View →
Break the Siege: Make Your Own Catapults
“Readers interested in models, warfare, and construction will find lots to love in this volume. . . . An excellent resource that will spark the imaginations of many readers.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Pointe, Claw
“[A brilliant] story of pain and wonder between two girls straddling the edge of body and mind.”—Brie Spangler, author of Beast View →
A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent
“[Rockwell] delivers a striking portrait of James Lafayette, an African-American spy critical to the outcome of the Revolutionary War. [Cooper’s] illustrations affirm his skill as a gifted portrait artist.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Nara and the Island
“[A] magic-tinged . . . haunting, slightly surreal story that speaks to the rewards of both independence and companionship.”—Publishers Weekly View →
Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave Song
“This is an excellent resource for music and art teachers as well as for social studies and U.S. history lessons.”—starred, School Library Journal View →
Basketball Time!
“This is a wonderful choice for a preschool unit on sports or for a beginning reader with a passion for the game.”—Booklist View →
The Great Leopard Rescue: Saving the Amur Leopards
“[T]his handsome volume . . . [has] well-organized, cogently written text. . . . An informative presentation showing what is being done to save this beautiful but critically endangered species.”—Booklist View →
LGBTQ+ Athletes Claim the Field: Striving for Equality
“[A] valuable survey of the status of LGBTQ+ athletes. . . . Happily, [Cronn-Mills] humanizes these issues. . . . [H]ers is an important contribution to the blossoming field of LGBTQ literature.”—starred, Booklist View →
The Animal Mating Game: The Wacky, Weird World of Sex in the Animal Kingdom
“[W]ith a frank approach and an emphasis on the absolute necessity of reproduction . . . [t]his is a visually appealing and scientifically sound resource on an uncommon topic.”—Booklist View →
Top Prospect
“Travis’ love for the game . . . seems absolutely authentic. This engaging read will resonate with middle schoolers, especially aspiring athletes.”—Booklist View →
Dino-Racing
“This action-packed book combines twin obsessions for many children. . . . Gott’s digital illustrations . . . [feature] many inside jokes for dinosaur-lovers. . . . Car-crazy kids will also drool over the flashy race cars.”—Booklist View →