Reviews
Hannah G. Solomon Dared to Make a Difference
This engaging, informative biography casts a well-deserved spotlight on a Jewish woman who achieved much, but is not well-known today. It should be read widely. View →
Ava, a Sephardic Jewish girl, and Nadeem, her Muslim cousin, are best friends. After Ava and Nadeem are bullied at school, a mysterious button helps them travel back in time to medieval Morocco where they learn more about their roots and begin to take pride in their unique identities;… View →
A Queen to the Rescue: The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah
“Churnin’s comprehensive and inspiring text, paired with Nayberg’s rich multi-layered, expressive, and artful mixed-media illustrations, bring to life this remarkable woman who was long overdue for a picture book biography.” — Rachel Kamin, Jewish Book… View →
A Queen to the Rescue: The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah
“Churnin portrays the organizational skill and human kindness of her subject with love and admiration. She expands the main text with comprehensive back matter that includes additional historical information, facts about the Purim holiday and a timeline. Nayberg’s stylized… View →
Miriam at the River
“Although the book closes with Miriam’s confident assertion that ‘some day all the world/will know my brother’s name,’ Yolen and Le have presented the early life of a woman who will also change history.”— Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council 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 →
Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam
“Based on an old folktale with both Jewish and Arabic roots, this version of the story focuses on Yaffa and Fatima, two neighbors who are Jewish and Muslim, respectively. The first half of the book sets up their friendship and lays out the different customs of each woman. Then hard View →
The Flower Girl Wore Celery
“Emma’s older cousin Hannah is getting married, and she wants Emma to be the flower girl and wear a celery (colored) dress. Emma also learns that she is going to walk down the aisle with someone named Jacob who is the ring bear[er]. In the spirit of Amelia Bedelia, Emma imagines… View →
Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story
“Every year at holiday time, Katy looks forward to making applesauce with her mother. When she shares her excitement with her religious school classmates, she also mentions the other exciting news: Later in the month, she will have a new baby cousin. A well-written,… View →
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 →
Lights Out Shabbat
“Our young narrator tells of an unusual snowstorm in Georgia on a Friday night. He is spending the Jewish Sabbath at his grandparents’ when, after they light the Shabbat candles, the lights go out. They eat the delicious Shabbat dinner, ‘But the lights do not come… View →
Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean
“Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean (Kar-Ben, $7.95) is written for slightly older children, ages 3–8, but also has an infectious energy and sense of fun. Written in rhyme, it celebrates the ingenuity of Izzy, an amateur inventor, who creates a machine to clean the house… View →
“Kimmel brings satisfyingly warm detail to a well-known folktale, in an elegant picture book set long ago on the shores of Galilee. Joseph of Tiberius loves to celebrate the Sabbath by selecting choice ingredients when preparing food and inviting all to share dinner with him. When… View →
“In this sequel to the Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride, Engineer Ari drives his train from Jerusalem to Jaffa, stopping along the way to collect fruit, branches, and a lulav and etrog from the friends he has made along his new… View →
The Littlest Mountain
“The story teaches children the importance of looking past surface traits, in favor of deeper meaning. Understanding this, children can begin to view themselves and others from the inside out. In a world polluted with materialism and vanity, the heartfelt message of The… View →
Afikomen Mambo
“Rabbi Joe Black’s infectious energy and solid musicianship have made him a popular performer for Jewish children—and their parents.” —Jewish Woman View →
My Very Own Haggadah: A Seder Service for Young Children
“. . .still among the best Haggadot for the very young child.” —Jewish Woman View →
Ruth First Never Backed Down
“This is a powerful and important book about an ordinary Jewish woman taking extraordinary risks to speak out against apartheid. Her courage is an inspiration, one that is steeped in Jewish values. Highly recommend.”―Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle View →
Doña Gracia Saved Worlds
“A beautifully illustrated, historical biography of an inspiring Jewish woman.”—Booklist View →
Always an Olivia: A Remarkable Family History
To explain why each generation of their family has an Olivia, an African American woman tells her great-granddaughter about their Jewish family’s journey across the globe to escape reli-gious persecution. Soft paintings add subtle intensity to this story highlighting the importance View →
Deborah's Tree
“Yolen depicts a wise and cautious woman who not only sees the future but also perceives how human agency can alter its course.”—Jewish Book Council View →
Nothing Could Stop Her: The Courageous Life of Ruth Gruber
“An insightful profile of a courageous woman who lived through some of the most turbulent periods of the twentieth century…This is an apt tribute to an inspiring Jewish role model.”―Booklist View →