by Lara Neel, Trade Marketing Manager
This list will get you geared up for March! We’ve got a little history, a little St. Patrick’s Day, and a robust group of Purim titles.
Alexander Graham Bell Day is March 7
This unofficial holiday is on the day in 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the technology that would later become the telephone.
Who Invented the Telephone? Bell vs. Meucci
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 6
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, right? That’s what most people will tell you. But what if they’re wrong? What if Scottish-born inventor Antonio Santi Giuseppe Meucci was working on his own telephone invention at the exact same time? You’ll be on the edge of your seat as Meucci and Bell race to win the battle of the telephone. Who will overcome the obstacles and be the first to cross the finish line? You’ll never look at a telephone the same way again!
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17
It’s St. Patrick’s Day!
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 1
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In the United States, people wear green and hold parades to celebrate all things Irish. Readers will learn about St. Patrick’s Day traditions and the reasons for the holiday. Full-color photographs and carefully leveled text will both inform readers and help them understand how to celebrate. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions help build nonfiction reading skills.
This title is also available in Spanish.
Purim is March 21
Purim Is Coming!
Interest Level: Preschool
The fifth in the popular Jewish holiday board book series by Newman and Garofoli, a family and their adorable dog celebrate the kid-friendly holiday of Purim with its megillah reading, parade, cookie baking, and carnival.
A Queen in Jerusalem
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 2
In Jerusalem, in the early 20th century, a little girl named Malka—”queen” in Hebrew—dreams of dressing up as Queen Esther. It is the festival of Purim, and all the kids are looking forward to celebrating in their costumes. But Malka’s mother doesn’t have time to prepare a Purim costume for her. Where can Malka get a costume in time for the holiday?
Talia and the Haman-tushies
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 2
It’s almost Purim, and Talia’s sure that Grandma said they’re going to bake “haman-tushies.” Eww! But as Talia helps Grandma with the recipe and learns the story of Purim—from the bravery of Queen Esther to the schemes of wicked Haman—she discovers a lot about these holiday cookies that she didn’t know. The third in Marshall’s play-on-words Talia stories including Talia and the Rude Vegetables and Talia and the Very YUM Kippur.
Not for All the Hamantaschen in Town
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 3
The three little pigs, Rishon, Sheni, and Shlishi, are getting ready for the Purim carnival! They can’t wait to play games, eat hamantaschen, and march in the Purim parade. They all need crowns for their Purim costumes. Rishon makes his paper crown very quickly. Sheni spends a little more time on his poster board crown. Slishi works hardest and longest on his wonderful papier mache crown. But will their fun at the carnival be spoiled by the big bad wolf? After all, wolves love hamantaschen too!