Reviews
Lotsa Matzah
“Just when you thought there couldn’t be another Passover board book, author Tilda Balsley makes a charming contribution to the category with Lotsa Matzah. Told in rhyming couplets, Balsley does a remarkable job covering the basics of why we eat matzah to hiding the… View →
Hannah's Way
“Hannah’s Way is an American Jewish story that has not been told in picture books before. The time is the 1920s and the place is Northeastern Minnesota, a rural iron mining area called the Iron Range. After her father loses his job in Minneapolis, Hannah’s family moves to… View →
Sadie and the Big Mountain
“Sadie’s synagogue preschool is spending the week preparing for Shavuot, the culmination of which will be a mountain hike, similar to Moshe ascending Mount Sinai. Sadie does not like hiking, and as the class makes walking sticks, learns the Ten Commandments, and makes blintzes,… View →
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles
“Jacob’s older brother, Nathan, celebrates the lighting of the menorah in his own unique way, as he does everything else, by blowing out the candles as soon as they are lit. Nathan exhibits behavior that we associate with autism, but Jacob just finds it annoying. He is thrilled… View →
Dinosaur Goes to Israel
“Our AJL colleague, Diane Rauchwerger, has charmed children with stories featuring a dinosaur who celebrates Judaism. In this, her fourth book illustrated by Jason Wolff, Dino joins his human friend on a visit to Israel. The book does more than tell the… View →
Grandma Rose's Magic
“What goes around comes around arrives in a sweet way in the form of a sewing grandmother who always does something extra. Her mitzvot (good deeds) do not go unnoticed, supporting the surprise ending. Grandma Rose sews for young and old: clothes, blankets, table cloths, dolls. She… View →
Lights Out Shabbat
“In her first children’s book, Shulimson tells a sweet story about keeping the Sabbath even when the unexpected occurs. When a snowstorm knocks out the power at his grandparents’ house in Georgia soon after the Shabbat candles are lit, a little boy finds that a Sabbath without… View →
Barnyard Purim
“Purim is a time for pretending—a time for little girls to dress up as courageous queens and for little boys to sprout fake beards and masquerade as Mordecai or Haman. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Farmer Max’s livestock decide to stage their own Purim play. Chicken channels… View →
Not So Shy
“At times comical and at times emotional…this heartwarming novel would be an asset to both public and Jewish libraries.”—Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam
“In this unique retelling of the classic ‘Brothers’ legend, the title characters are two women – one Jewish, one Muslim—living side-by side in Jerusalem. The women work together harvesting dates, and often share meals. They practice their faiths, which the book… View →
Everybody's Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah
“The focus of this book emphasizes not the Jewish but the universal significance of this artwork… This title is recommended for Jewish libraries and public libraries in communities with Jewish populations.” – Assocation of Jewish Libraries View →
Mazal Bueno!
“The board book should be in synagogue and preschool libraries.” - Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Moses and the Runaway Lamb
“Jacqueline Jules adds to her successful Jewish literary tales oeuvre with this lovely and uplifting story of Moses when he was just a teenage shepherd…A nice message for children who are learning about their Jewish heritage.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Jewish Mindfulness for Kids
“The exercises are creative and beautifully exemplify the Jewish concept of Yishuv Ha Da’at—more than mindfulness, creating a connection and harmony to calm oneself. Carrossine’s illustrations bring these exercises to life.”—Association of Jewish Libraries View →
My Family Haggadah
“Recommended for preschoolers and their families.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
The Promise
“A welcome and unique story about Sephardic Jews that deserves a place on every library shelf.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Happy Purim, Grover!
“The book is engaging and captivating and, therefore, suitable for young children…This short and educational overview with simple narration is a welcome addition to both public and Jewish libraries.” – Assocation of Jewish Libraries View →
My Name Is Hamburger
“A historically accurate portrayal of many families’ Jewish American experience in the mid-twentieth century, with themes of antisemitism and anti-immigration that are relevant to today…a welcome addition to the canon of children’s novels in verse about the… View →
Counting on Shabbat
“A lovely little rhyming poem celebrating the weekly Shabbat preparations.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Lily Blue Riding Hood: A Purim Story
“A lively and entertaining addition to books for the Purim holiday.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Things That Shimmer
“This is a well-written and thoughtful coming-of-age novel suitable for public libraries, synagogue libraries, and school libraries.” – Assocation of Jewish Libraries View →
A Book about Bupkes
“Bupkes means a lot more than nothing in this delightful picture book.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Pinky Bloom and the Case of the Silent Shofar
“Would be enjoyed by any early reader that has interest in mystery books.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →
Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom
“An outstanding introduction to the Spanish Inquisition and the observance of Tisha B’Av.”―Association of Jewish Libraries View →