Reviews
“Bim and Bom: A Shabbat Tale is a picture book about the experience of preparing for and observing Shabbat. Both the text and illustrations effectively convey the spiritual uniqueness of Shabbat. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations, which show challah baking and… View →
Green Bible Stories for Children
“Beginning with the story of Creation, according to our author, the Bible teaches readers to respect the land and conserve natural resources. Stories from the Bible are retold in the author’s own language, often humorously. Titles of stories include: Greener Pastures, Abraham and… View →
“The noteworthy life of Marcel Marceau, born Marcel Mangel, is explored in this attractive picture book. Adults who are familiar with his famous work as a mime will be interested in his early experiences as a young boy growing up in Strasbourg, France on the eve of World War II. In View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
“Jacob loves Hanukkah, but is frustrated with the way it’s celebrated at his house. His brother Nathan, a boy on the autism spectrum, obsesses about the holiday and ruins the night by blowing out the candles as if they were on a birthday cake. When a new friend, Steven,… View →
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
“It’s Hanukkah and Engineer Ari is off in his train to celebrate the holiday with his friends, Jessie and Nathaniel. He is carrying traditional sufganiyot (jelly donuts), dreidels, and Turkish coins. His Hannukiah (the correct name for the holiday candelabra) travels with… View →
The Shabbat Princess
“Candles, latkes, gifts— Chanukah traditions bring light and joy to the dark days of winter. As you select presents for your children, we urge you to give them books. Each year, publishers offer new Chanukah titles, and this year there are some great choices. We gathered recently… View →
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
“Candles, latkes, gifts— Chanukah traditions bring light and joy to the dark days of winter. As you select presents for your children, we urge you to give them books. Each year, publishers offer new Chanukah titles, and this year there are some great choices. We gathered recently… View →
Hanukkah Moon
“’When Isobel is invited to Aunt Luisa’s for Hanukkah, she’s not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa has recently arrived from Mexico. . .’ (Kar-Ben) A favourite of my own nieces (whose father is from South America), which has stood up to many, many readings, this unusual… View →
The Ziz and the Hanukkah Miracle
“Jacqueline Jules’ stories about the Ziz–a fabulous and colourful mythical bird–are always among my favourites. In this one, she relates the miracle of Chanukah through the prism of a story that reads like a gorgeous fairytale, in which a lesson about sharing and generosity is… View →
Jodie's Hanukkah Dig
“A wonderful combination of great story and unique perspective, this tale of young Jodie’s visit with her father to an archaeological dig in Modi’in, where Judah Maccabee fought the Syrians, helps children place the Chanukah story in context by linking the historical with the… View →
Hanukkah Around the World
“From Sydney, Australia, to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to Turin, Italy, Hanukkah Around the World is chock full of fantastic stories, recipes, and interesting facts about the diverse Chanukah traditions of Jewish communities all over the world. A few introductory pages about the View →
Maccabee!: The Story of Hanukkah
“From the comic book superhero-like illustrations to the heartfelt repeated chorus of ‘Sometimes it only takes a few/Who know what’s right, and do it, too,’ this wonderful rhyming retelling of the Chanukah story is sure to be a favourite of adventure-loving little girls View →
Eight Wild Nights: A Family Hanukkah Tale
A great rhyming read-aloud for a family Chanukah storytime!"—Noodlenuts View →
All About Hanukkah
“While most of the stories I’ve recommended here presuppose a general knowledge of the holiday, All About Hanukkah–part of the wonderful All About series from Kar-Ben Publishing–is a great first-time introduction to the holiday. It covers everything you’d want to… View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
“The authors use the story to reinforce two important messages of Judaism: “acceptance of every person as a reflection of God’s image, and the importance of both compassion and inclusion into the community.” —Jewish Journal View →
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
“Quill says: This imaginative story of two different traditions, two different faiths, two different men united in a new friendship celebrating a Jewish holiday rich with history and meaning will delight children between the ages of four to seven.” Quill Book Review View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
“Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles (ages 5-9) is, refreshingly, more about life than about Hanukkah. There is mention of various aspects of the holiday, but it is really about the relationship between the narrator, Jacob, and his autistic brother, Nathan. Jacob worries View →
Can You Tell a Gecko from a Salamander?
“Kids are always going to capture bugs in jars and chase lizards into the weeds, not because they’re cruel but because they’re curious. The Animal Look-Alikes series funnels this curiosity into teachable moments by providing young ones with the tools to look at these… View →
Fall Mixed Up
“Bouncy rhymes keep things peppy, and kids will enjoy being in on the jokes and identifying all that’s topsy-turvy in this fun romp. A humorous option for seasonal storytimes.” —Booklist View →
Popular Clone
“Castle’s debut…strikes just the right balance of humor and action and is sure to keep young readers turning the pages. Fisher’s struggles to fit in, to relate to girls and to uncover and preserve his true self feel genuine, making him a misfit and unlikely hero… View →
Ultraviolet
“This is a unique insight into the life of someone with synesthesia, and the look at life inside a mental hospital is a natural grabber for teens.” —Booklist View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
Lessons come in many guises and this charming book gently and lovingly introduces readers and their parents to autism and the family issues it can raise. —Feathered Quill View →
Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap
"This is a timely teaching story by Deborah Bodin Cohen that brings a devout Jew together with a Bedouin on a Jewish holiday rich with history and meaning. The mutual hospitality of the two men is a miracle in its own right. " —Spirituality and… View →