Reviews
You're the Cheese in My Blintz
“Each intimate, quiet-feeling page depicts a Jewish baby and grown-up; the pairings are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and religious observance.” — Marjorie Ingall, Tablet Magazine View →
Buen Shabat, Shabbat Shalom
“The art’s bold and cute, with a Pixar vibe, and I love the tiny Sephardic décor touches, like the framed hamsas on the wall.” — Marjorie Ingall, Tablet Magazine View →
Sammy Spider's Hanukkah Colors
Sammy Spider’s Hanukkah Colors by Sylvia Rouss, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn. It’s Sammy Spider. It’s a board book. What else do you need to know? (Other than the fact that Mr. Shapiro has a great ’70s pornstache, and how did I never notice?) (Ages 0-2) – Tablet… View →
Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva
“Drop by Drop: A Story of Rabbi Akiva by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. Second-century sage Rabbi Akiva doesn’t get nearly enough ink. According to tradition, he was born a humble shepherd and didn’t learn to read until he was 40, yet he became one of the… View →
The Cholent Brigade
“The Cholent Brigade by Michael Herman, illustrated by Sharon Harmer. Young readers will giggle at the main character’s name: Mr. Monty Nudelman. Monty is the guy who shovels everyone’s walk after a snowfall, but after one storm he hurts his back. When he misses shul, everyone says View →
Oh No, Jonah!
“Oh No, Jonah!, by Tilda Balsley, illustrations by Jago. A straightforward verse retelling of the story of Jonah, with a refrain younger kids will love to chime in on: ‘Oh no, Jonah!’ (Jonah screws up a lot.) I appreciated that the text correctly… View →
Sadie and the Big Mountain
“’Nursery school was lots of fun and Sadie smiled as she filed into Temple Beth El with her friends. There were lots of things to do and she “loved the Hebrew songs they sang during music,’ playing with blocks, climbing on the gym, and stacking up the building… View →
The Shabbat Princess
“The Shabbat Princess, by Amy Meltzer, illustrated by Martha Aviles (Kar-Ben). You know it happens: A little girl turns 3 and becomes a princess-obsessed, tiara-wearing, trilling little loon. Thankfully, the phase generally passes by age 6. But if you’re in the thick of… View →
“Marcel Marceau, Master of Mime, by Gloria Spielman, illustrated by Manon Gauthier (Kar-Ben). I confess I have always been a mime-mocker. Walking against the wind? Trapped in a box? Climbing a ladder? Oh cripes, cut it out and say something! But I’m eating my own words… View →