Reviews
Hard Hat Cat!
“This simple picture book about a young Israeli boy who feeds a stray kitten near a construction site addresses a universal theme but has an authentic Israeli flavor.” — Michel Hoschander Malen, Jewish Book Council View →
Judah Touro Didn't Want to be Famous
“Young Touro’s wild, black curls, the deep red coats on British soldiers, and identifiable emotions on character’s faces work with the text in a seamless dialogue.” — Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council View →
Clarence's Topsy-Turvy Shabbat
“This story is recommended for parents and children who want to bake some fun into their shared reading experience.” — Mical Hoschander Malen, Jewish Book Council Editor View →
Kol Hakavod: Way to Go!
A child who attends synagogue with his/her parents or travels to Israel may hear the congregation say, “Kol HaKavod,” but not know what the Hebrew expression means. This rhyming picture book explains the phrase using scenarios that a youngster can relate to, along with sweet, View →
The Elephant in the Sukkah
What’s a performing elephant to do when his celebrity begins to wane and he is no longer sought after by his adoring audiences? Poor Henry the elephant is accustomed to acclaim and applause, and a quiet life holds no attraction for him. Retirement does not suit him one bit.… View →
In the Jerusalem Forest
Based on the poem, “The Pond,” by classic Hebrew poet Hayim Nachman Bialik, this peaceful picture book follows a young girl and her mother as they walk together through the Jerusalem forest and gaze at their reflections in a pond. The trees and the sky, reflected in the… View →
Mr. Tempkin Climbs a Tree
This is a delightful picture book that conveys Jewish — and universal — themes of the importance of intergenerational friendship and helping one’s neighbors. The illustrations are brightly colored and contain many details for children to notice and focus on as they… View →
The Key from Spain: Flory Jagoda and Her Music
“The Key from Spain is highly recommended both for children and adults interested in learning about Sephardic culture and history.”―Jewish Book Council View →
The Key from Spain: Flory Jagoda and Her Music
“The Key from Spain is highly recommended both for children and adults interested in learning about Sephardic culture and history.”―Jewish Book Council View →
A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale
“This enchanting book is illustrated in a cheerful, bright style which adds to the fun. Children of today will learn that Hanukkah is less about gifts and more about identity, bravery, and determination.” —Jewish Book Council View →
Francesco Tirelli's Ice Cream Shop
“Francesco Tirelli’s Ice Cream Shop is highly recommended for children but will also be appreciated by adults because of its exceptional artwork and intelligent text. A brief ‘Epilogue’ fills in facts and informs readers of Francesco Tirelli’s… View →
Raisins and Almonds: A Yiddish Lullaby
“Raisins and Almonds: A Yiddish Lullaby is highly recommended for children ages 3 to 8, as well as for anyone who loves the original song, and for fans of distinguished picture book art. An author’s note describes the song’s origin and a scannable QR code is View →
Pickled Watermelon
“Instead of spending the summer with her friends at camp, Molly goes to Israel for a month for a family wedding. She is nervous about the trip, not wanting to leave her beloved Bubbe to go to a foreign country and stay with family she’s never met, who speak a language she barely… View →
Pinky Bloom and the Case of the Missing Kiddush Cup
“Penina ‘Pinky’ Bloom, a fourth grader at a Jewish day school, considers herself ‘the greatest kid detective in Brooklyn,’ and there are a few mysteries she needs to solve: Who is putting the Lotus Blossom Kosher Chinese Restaurant out of business? Why are… View →
An Unlikely Ballerina
“This is a fascinating read about the dancer who would someday be known as Alicia Markova. Lily Marks loves to stand on her tiptoes, but her legs are weak and crooked. Could dancing lessons help strengthen them? To everyone’s surprise, Lily proves to have a natural talent for View →
The Edelweiss Pirates
“Kurt’s older brother, Albert, is a member of the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of young people who are dedicated to resisting Hitler’s edicts. Hitler has outlawed jazz music, so the Edelweiss Pirates play it every chance they get. Kurt, who plays the trumpet, asks if he can join the… 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 →
And There Was Evening, And There Was Morning
“This new picture book about the world’s creation employs unusual, creative illustrations to deliver its story. The tale is told through rhymes of mixed quality. Following the structure of Genesis, the authors sum up each of the seven days with an appropriate, clever adjective. For View →
The World Needs Beautiful Things
“Bezalel is a slave in Egypt. Although his life is harsh, he sees beauty everywhere. To him, a feather, a smooth stone, and a piece of colored string are treasures to be cherished and stored in his Beautiful Things Box. When Pharaoh suddenly allows the Israelites to go free, and… View →
Search for the Shamir
“Twins Scarlett and Sam are off on another adventure; this time, their destination is King Solomon’s kingdom. They arrive to find the young king with no money and a dictum from God to build a temple. Despite Solomon’s reputed wisdom for solving all problems, building the… View →
Paulie's Passover Predicament
“Paulie, a moose (and moos-ician) can’t wait for Passover. He’s invited all his friends to join him in a heartfelt, slightly unconventional seder: pepper added to the salt water (so the pepper doesn’t get jealous), pinecones in the charoset, and so on. Even worse, he locks himself… View →
The Family with Two Front Doors
“Based on the childhood of the author’s grandmother, this story follows an Orthodox Jewish family in Lublin, Poland in the 1920s. The family, which includes nine children, is so large that they need two houses joined together—thus the title. The book presents customs that… View →
A Queen in Jerusalem
“Malka is disappointed that her mother doesn’t have time to make her a Purim costume, but her mother thinks she’s now old enough to make her own. Malka sadly walks through the streets of Jerusalem. She can sense the city’s excitement for the holiday, but struggles to feel… View →