Reviews
Frankenstein's Matzah: A Passover Parody
“Frankenstein’s Matzah is a wacky, entertaining, very colorful graphic picture book. It combines diversity (a non-binary main character) with a Jewish holiday (a Passover seder), STEM (science experiments and back matter… View →
Deborah's Tree
“Stunningly beautiful, in both text and illustrations.”—Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
The Stars Will Be My Nightlight: A Sukkot Story
“The calming narrative and the atmospheric illustrations make the book valuable in school, library and home settings.” – Sydney Taylor Schmooze View →
Pinky Bloom and the Case of the Silent Shofar
“It’s wonderful to see a series like this with Jewish content.”―Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
Shoham's Bangle
“A lovely introduction to Iraqi Jewry and its own exodus.”—Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
José and the Pirate Captain Toledano
“José and the Pirate Captain Toledano has everything a middle grade reader could ask for: action, adventure, pirates, challenges to overcome, and a satisfying ending.”―Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
Mrs. Noah's Doves
’Readers will fall in love with Mrs. Noah and her doves in this heartwarming retelling of the age-old story of destruction, rebirth, and hope." – Sydney Taylor Schmooze View →
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.” – Sydney Taylor Schmooze View →
Rena Glickman, Queen of Judo
“A biography on Rena Glickman is overdue, and this book portrays her with a powerful independence and unwavering persistence…This book is an enjoyable read and good reference on a little-known champion of women in judo.” – Sydney Taylor Schmooze View →
The Topsy-Turvy Bus
“A much-needed addition to the literary offerings that engage children in thinking about how people can find creative solutions to make our regular activities easier on our planet.” – Sydney Taylor Schmooze View →
Frank, Who Liked to Build: The Architecture of Frank Gehry
“This book provides an interesting look at the creative process—the sources of inspiration, the repeated attempts, the doubts, the risk-taking—that could be a springboard for a discussion on this topic for parents, teachers, and librarians.” – Sydney Tayor Schmooze View →
37 Days at Sea: Aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939
“37 Days at Sea: Aboard the M.S. St. Louis, 1939 breathes new life into Holocaust literature for children with its usage of verse writing and a strong middle grade voice, and I believe would strongly fit the criteria for the Sydney Taylor Book Award as a Notable… View →
A Rainy Day Story
“Well-written and beautifully illustrated, this is an excellent introduction to and fun way to engage with Talmud for young children.” — Kathy Bloomfield, President of AJL, Seal Beach, CA, Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
Hillel Builds a House
“The book has positive Jewish content and is appropriate for its intended audience of young children aged three to six.” — Laurie Adler, Syndey Taylor Shmooze Blog View →
The Book of Secrets
“While the style of art is unusual and the story unconventional, the awards committee may just have a taste for something different this year, and will send the The Book of Secrets to the top of their list!” — Gigi Pagliarulo View →
The Abba Tree
“Author Busheri takes the concept of planting a tree on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat one step further by showing how people must plant trees for the next generation, lending this book to interesting classroom discussions about the environment and altruistic behavior. " —… View →
Noah Green Saves the World
“Any child who loves the Jewish camping experience will be thrilled to read this book. In fact, even parents who fondly remember their own Jewish camping sleep-a-way days might sneak this book out of their child’s room so they can reminisce.” — Sydney Wasserman, Sydney… View →
Nicanor's Gate
" Eric Kimmel has penned a new, more accessible version of this wonderful, ancient Talmudic tale with lush, radiant full-color, full spread illustrations in earth tones, blues, and pinks by Alida Massari" — Rachel Kamin, Sydney Taylor Shmooze Blog View →
Alligator Seder
“This educational and entertaining board book provides a window into the Passover traditions of a Jewish family. " — Lila Spitz, Sydney Taylor Shmooze Blog View →
Hard Hat Cat!
“Hard Hat Cat makes an excellent read-aloud for families with children in a range of ages.” — Mirele Kessous, Certified Librarian, Sydney Taylor Shmooze Blog View →
I Love Matzah
“I LOVE MATZAH is an authentic and honest depiction of a Jewish toddler — we know the child is a toddler, from the high chair in the art — enjoying the most essential of all Passover foods, matzah.” — Jeff… View →
Miriam at the River
“This is a worthy contender for the Sydney Taylor Gold Medal for Picture Books.” — Kathy Bloomfield, VP of the Association of Jewish Libraries, Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
You're the Cheese in My Blintz
“This is an excellent, joyful book for a Jewish family.” — Kathy Bloomfield, VP of the Association of Jewish Libraries, Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →
Space Torah: Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman's Cosmic Mitzvah
“. . . Torah is perfect for children who show an interest in space exploration and how they, as humans, fit into our remarkable galaxy. . . . Space Torah should be considered for Sydney Taylor recognition.”—Sydney Taylor Shmooze View →