Reviews
The Magic of Melwick Orchard
“Readers who appreciate magical realism will find the premise of the tree intriguing, and they’ll enjoy a solid story about the family’s emotional rollercoaster and the sisters’ love.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
An Unlikely Ballerina
“This long-overdue picture book biography of Alicia Markova, née Lily Marks (1910–2004), is a pleasure to behold. In clear and concise prose, the author tells the story of a talented Jewish girl born in London, England who loved to dance, overcame adversity, and eventually became a View →
A Heart Just Like My Mother's
“Anna’s mother is renowned for her kindness, creativity, and outgoing humor, which makes Anna feel they have nothing in common and that she will never live up to her mother’s exceptional qualities. After noticing a hungry man asking for money outside their frequently visited deli,… View →
A Map into the World
“With the clear, careful, and beautiful language we’ve come to expect from her, Kao Kalia Yang unfurls her first children’s book, a journey waiting to reward our every step.”—Bao Phi, author of A Different Pond View →
Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery
“The plot arc here is rendered refreshing and clever by Amato’s choice of form: the narrative is conveyed as a play . . .”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
Experience Nature: How Time Outside Makes You Feel
“A must-have series for developing self-awareness practices and empowerment in children.”—School Library Journal, Series Made Simple View →
Who's Got the Etrog?
“This new picture book introduces children to the Ugandan Jewish community of the Abayudaya. The book says the community was started in the early 1900s by an African chief who led his people to reject Christianity and follow only the Torah. Children will enjoy following the antics… View →
A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal
“[A]n engaging introduction to a tradition that a lot of kids would like to join in celebrating . . .”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder
“Each frame of sequential art is a small gem of delicate line and watercolor painting . . .”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
The Edelweiss Pirates
“The Edelweiss Pirates is indeed an interesting look at a group of resisters that most people have never really heard of, and although they didn’t start out as saboteurs, by 1938, they were beginning to increase their subversive acts against the Nazis. I liked… View →
“A sweet way to transition from easy readers to beginning chapter books. Children will ask for these stories again and again.”—School Library Journal View →
“[T]he appeal is in the original photo illustrations that will grab children’s interest . . .”—Kirkus Reviews View →
Sports Are Fantastic Fun!
“Facts galore, presented in an entertaining fashion; both children and adults will laugh a lot and learn even more.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
I Got a Chicken for My Birthday
Laura Gehl is the author of the popular PEEP AND EGG series. When I saw she had written about getting a chicken as a birthday present I knew I had to read it. My nieces love their chickens and even take them… View →
Who's Got the Etrog?
“The pages of this story come alive with colorful, personable African animals. The tale takes place in Uganda, and the principal characters are Auntie Sanyu and the warthog. Auntie Sanyu builds a sukkah and then invites the animals to share in the festivities. Just like the holiday View →
The Yark: a child-chomping beast stalks through suburban bedrooms across the globe looking for a decent meal. An edge-of-your-seat story for readers with a hardy constitution Little ones who are afraid of the dark might do well to steer clear of The Yark (Gecko Press, £6.99, 6+), a… View →
The Family with Two Front Doors
“How can a family have two front doors? Easy – if they live in 1920s Lublin, Poland, have nine children, and need two apartments – one to live in, the other in which the rabbi/father studies and conducts business. Based on Ciddor’s grandmother Nomi’s reminiscences, this View →
Search for the Shamir
“Eric Kimmel has given us another educational monster/demon book. Think Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Holiday House, 1994) in ancient Israel. This second book in the Scarlet and Sam series sends the time traveling twins to Jerusalem during the time of King Solomon. They travel… View →
The Family with Two Front Doors
“The nine children in The Family With Two Front Doors by Anna Ciddor (KarBen, £6.99), live with their mother and rabbi father in 1920s Lublin. They have two doors because they need two apartments to accommodate them all. Ciddor bases the story on the childhood of her Nana Nomi,… View →
And There Was Evening, And There Was Morning
“Graphically imaginative and poetically told, And There Was Evening And There Was Morning by Harriet Cohen Helfand, illustrated by Ellen Kahan Zager is the creation story in rhyme. Told simply in rhyming couplets that children 3 to 8 will understand, the illustrations are at once… View →
“Leave a copy casually open at the desk for instant circulation, or put the art teacher, language arts teacher, and this title together and wait for creative sparks to fly.”—starred, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books View →
“A sweet selection for imaginative children who marvel about nature and delight in daydreaming.”—School Library Journal View →
Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship
“[A]n unusually candid book for pre-YA kids about race and difference, allowing for the possibility of the mistakes (the word is right in the subtitle) but also a hopeful outcome as Irene and Charles find enrichment in their friendship.”—The Bulletin of the Center for… View →