Reviews
Harvest of Light
A young girl living near Safed, Israel, describes how her family grows and harvests olives to make the oil they use each year in their Hanukkah menorah. In the spring the trees bloom and tiny green olives form; in early fall the family picks and preserves a few green olives for eating;… View →
Sarah Laughs
The Old Testament says little about Sarah’s feelings, so this moving picture book draws on midrash (legend) and on modern biblical commentary to imagine the inner life of Abraham’s wife. Warm, clear, rhythmic acrylic double-page spreads show the close bond between husband and wife, as… View →
With his village beleaguered by an outbreak of cholera, Pinsk’s learned Rabbi Yamferd decides, as legend dictates, to initiate a miracle by officiating at a “black wedding” of two orphans in a cemetery. Yiske and his Klezmer band are summoned to perform, but soon… View →
Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing
“A sure bet for reluctant readers.”—Booklist View →
When Lulu Went to the Zoo
“Andy Ellis’s When Lulu Went to the Zoo is the rhyming story of a crusading four-year-old who climbs into cages at the zoo and sets the animals free. A delightful wish-fulfilment fantasy with a message about how captivity ‘makes the life go out of the… View →
Janusz Korczak's Children
Just One More Book featured a chat with Gloria Spielman, author of Janusz Korczak’s Children. You can listen by clicking the play button (“>” ) on the “Listen Now” icon: http://www.justonemorebook.com/2008/06/09/interview-with-gloria-spielman/ View →
The Bat-Chen Diaries
The Bat-Chen Diaries released in February, 2008, nearly slipped beneath my notice. Perhaps because I love bats or the Chen portion may have caught my eye. Whatever reason, I’m glad that I read this title from Kar-Ben Publish-ing. I know The Bat-chen Diaries have been published in… View →
Punished!
This lighthearted fantasy would be an excellent classroom read-aloud. The language concepts are deftly explained and the clever, wordplay-filled dialogue provides numerous examples. . . . The short text and lively cover art will attract young readers, who will howl at the atrocious… View →
Count Your Way through the Arab World
“Useful for introducing other cultures, for short classroom reports, or for teaching children to count in another language” —Booklist View →
“. . .right on target. . . A must-have for libraries with a Jewish preschool population.” —School Library Journal View →
Love, Ruby Valentine
“This story. . . should take a prominent place on Valentine’s Day bookshelves.” —School Library Journal View →
Everybody Cooks Rice
“This book is a clever – and delicious – way to show diversity and similarities among families.” — Religion Teachers Journal View →
Tyrannosaurus Tsuris: A Passover Story
“Kids will love this dinosaur take on Passover.”—Book Riot View →
Let's Celebrate Shabbat!
“A delightful little story in rhyme, Let’s Celebrate Shabbat! features a coterie of animals helping a family prepare for and observe the Sabbath. Even the mice under the table get into the act!” —San Diego Jewish Times View →
Sammy Spider's First Purim
“Children will love the bright pictures as they smile at Sammy’s antics. Sammy Spider Celebrates Purim will be a big hit!” —San Diego Jewish Times View →
Band Together
“A loner duck comes into his own. . . . Both vulnerability and self-confidence shine.”—Kirkus Reviews View →
It's Not My Fault!
“George’s antics are funny and the sequence of events is believable for children who have ‘accidents’ of their own.” —The Reading Teacher View →
Loose-Tooth Luke
“[This book] will add a breath of fresh air to beginning-reader collections. A section for parents at the back of each book includes tips on encouraging beginning readers and phonetic guidelines. Solid alternatives to the usual fare.” —School Library… View →
Bedtime for Maziks
“Parents—and grandparents—will relish reading aloud as much as the children will enjoy hearing and following along.”—The Jewish Voice and Opinion View →
Crafts for Christian Values
“Twenty-eight clever and original designs illustrate a variety of Christian qualities. A loving heart beanbag, a bank for generous giving to missions, a bookmark to honor parents. . . Each one has an appropriate Scripture quotation to reinforce its stated purpose. . .… View →
“Eating Well helps youngsters learn how to choose and maintain a healthy diet by following the USDA’s MyPyramid.” — School Library Journal View →
Writing for Freedom: A Story about Lydia Maria Child
“Both books [Writing for Freedom and Remember the Ladies] draw on primary sources and support the view that these two women influenced history through their writings and beliefs. These titles should interest students not yet ready to handle more in-depth treatments.” View →
Jumping Kangaroos
“New readers hungry for factual information will be drawn to these titles.” —School Library Journal View →