Reviews
Grover and Big Bird's Passover Celebration
“Passover comes to vivid life in this fun and engaging tale from the Shalom Sesame series. As Grover and Big Bird make their way to Brosh and Avigail’s home for the Passover seder, a stalled bus gives them an opportunity to do mitzvot (good deeds), like helping a tired… View →
No Baths at Camp
“Max, the hero of what is really a clever exercise in reverse psychology, could just be the secret weapon that parents (and Jewish educators) are looking for in convincing recalcitrant kids to give Jewish camp a try. Resisting his mother’s attempts to get him into the tub,… View →
The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street
“[This story of] neighbors becoming friends takes place in contemporary Tel Aviv. There are shades of Cynthia Rylant’s Mr. Putter & Tabby books as fishmonger Mr. Modiano brings fish to Mrs. Spiegel every day, with instructions that it is for her, not for her… View →
Thank You, Trees!
“An ode to trees and fruit in celebration of Tu B’Shevat, a Jewish holiday. Often occurring in the latter part of January or early February, Tu B’Shevat is also called ‘New Year of the Trees.’ The five double-page spreads show friends and family members planting trees,… View →
Cookie, the Walker
“Monroe’s playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
Shaking the Foundation: Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution
“A concise, informative overview of how Darwin’s theories of natural selection and evolution shook the foundations of religious beliefs and long-held scientific views….A finely crafted introduction to Darwin’s theories and the controversies they spawned.”… View →
“Though the text is simple, the author paints a clear picture….Readers of Markle’s Snow School (2013) and Waiting for Ice (2012), both illustrated by Alan Marks, will welcome this additional account of a baby animal’s growth to… View →
Breezier, Cheesier, Newest, and Bluest: What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?
“Gable’s illustrations are the true stars here, his feline characters brimming with personality…. better than many grammar books—definitely one to check out.” —Kirkus Reviews View →
William and the Lost Spirit
“There’s more to the book than meets the eye, and multiple readings reveal even more subtext. What does meet the eye, though, is quite nice, thanks to Bonhomme’s impeccable linework and breakdowns, as well as clean, if traditional, layouts.” —Publishers Weekly View →
My Crocodile Does Not Bite
“Absurdity abounds in Kulka’s tale of a clever boy who knows that telling the truth—just not the whole truth—can be pretty entertaining….[T]he wicked twist of an ending should catch most readers by surprise.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“Cooper’s grainy illustrations look as though they are filtered through sunlight, striking a nostalgic chord, while Skead’s play-by-play… provides a riveting, baseball story about two players seeking recognition of their worth.” —Publishers Weekly View →
The Royal Treasure Measure
“This clever account, told in rhyme, alludes to the basis for most of today’s standard measurement: the human body….The exaggerated, colorful cartoon illustrations are humorous and appealing. Fans of the author’s other math concept books will be delighted with… View →
American Country: Bluegrass, Honky-Tonk, and Crossover Sounds
“[Sachs] covers an amazing amount of ground and dozens of performers on pages packed with photos, sidebars and playlists….Highly readable.” —VOYA View →
A Marked Man: The Assassination of Malcolm X
“®eadable, well-designed…. Back matter is robust and should lead interested readers in further pursuit of the truth.”—Booklist View →
The Twelve-Fingered Boy
“Shreve is an admirable, wise protagonist…. Fans of Alexander Gordon Smith’s ‘Escape from Furnace’ series (Farrar) will enjoy the fast-paced paranormal twists this novel offers, and the ending will leave them wanting more.” —School Library Journal View →
Stones for Grandpa
“Grandpa Duke taught his young grandson many lessons, such as how to wish on a shooting star, tie Boy Scout knots, and be brave when catching a frog. However, the hardest lesson he passes on is how to accept a loved one’s death. When the little boy accompanies his parents to the… View →
Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio
“[T]his centers on a fascinating event, one that points up the racial injustice at the time; at the same time, it makes readers care about both players, and may leave kids wanting to learn more about Paige, DiMaggio, the Negro Leagues, and the integration of baseball.”… View →
No Baths at Camp
“Have a delicious romp through this amusing story filled with joy and Jewish content. Max does not wish to take his after-dinner bath. He counters his mother with information gleaned from his own experience that despite such grief at home, there are no baths at camp! He proceeds to View →
I Don't Want to Go to the Hospital!
Ross’s popular little princess with the yellow crown needs to go to the hospital to have a lump removed from her nose. This look at a hospital stay will comfort any child facing the same fate, yet it avoids being purposeful or didactic due to the humorous tone. The watercolor cartoon… View →
Let's Meet a Construction Worker
“Cartoon-style animated drawings in bright colors introduce diverse characters who will capture children’s interest….Additional titles where more books on community helpers are needed.” —School Library Journal View →
The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street
“Reader alert! This reviewer is very fond of cats; so, she was ready to like this book almost sight unseen. Luckily, this whimsical picture book is a delight. Ben Yehuda Street in Tel Aviv is full of cats of every shape, size, and color but Mr. Modiano, a grumpy fishmonger,… View →
Grover and Big Bird's Passover Celebration
“Why is this book different from all other Passover picture books? For starters, a giant yellow bird finds the afikomen. But what else would you expect from a seder on Rechov Sumsum, the Israeli equivalent to Sesame Street? Big Bird and his pals serve as delightful seder hosts as… View →