By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 15, 2011
Passover Books and Jewish Identity
Going on a Hametz Hunt
by Jacqueline Jules (Author), Richard E. Brown (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 1-4
Board book: 12 pages
Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub; Brdbk edition (September 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: Little readers will have fun counting and rhyming with a brother and sister on a “hametz hunt” looking for breadcrumbs before the start of the Passover holiday.
Add this book to your collection: Going on a Hametz Hunt
Miriam in the Desert
by Jacqueline Jules (Author), Natascia Ugliano (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2010)
Source: publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: The Israelites have been freed from slavery in Egypt and follow Moses through the desert. On their journey, Miriam comforts them through hunger, thirst, and endless wilderness. Her grandson Bezalel draws pictures in the sand as he dreams of miracles. When his great-uncle Moses climbs the mountain to receive God’s laws, Bezalel learns he is the artist chosen to craft the Holy Ark. A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book.
Add this book to your collection: Miriam in the Desert
Say Hello, Lily (Jewish Identity)
by Deborah Lakritz (Author), Martha Aviles (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: On Lily’s first visit to Shalom House, she clings closely to her mom, overwhelmed by all the new faces. Mrs. Seidel compliments Lily’s new shoes and Dr. Berman, who used to be a dentist, asks Lily for a smile, but Lily is too shy to respond. In time, Lily joins the activities, makes new friends, and celebrates a birthday to remember.This delightful story will help prepare families, Jewish preschools, and kids’ clubs visiting nursing homes, bridging the gap between generations.
Add this book to your collection: Say Hello, Lily
Nosh, Schlep, Schluff: Babyiddish
by Laurel Snyder (Author), Tiphanie Beeke (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Board book: 14 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; Brdbk edition (January 25, 2011)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: Learning—and using—Yiddish is fun for the whole family, from the youngest mamaleh to the oldest bubbe and zaideh. Introduced to America as the mother tongue of millions of Jewish immigrants, Yiddish has made its way into everyday English. The sprightly, rhyming text follows a toddler through a busy day and is peppered from beginning to end with Yiddish words. Oy!—will everybody kvell when they hear their little ones spouting words from this most expressive of languages. Here are just a few that are included in this sturdy board book: bissel—little bit; ess—eat; kibitz—joke around, chat; klutz—clumsy one; kvell—burst with pride, gush; kvetchy—dissatisfied, whiny.
Add this book to your collection: Nosh, Schlep, Schluff: Babyiddish
Zishe the Strongman
by Robert Rubinstein (Author), Woody Miller (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 5-9
Paperback: 28 pages
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2010)
Source: Publisher
Publisher’s synopsis: At the age of 3, Zishe was lifting a nine-pound hammer in his father’s blacksmith shop. By the time he was eleven, there was not a bar he couldn’t bend or a chain he could not snap. Zishe, a poor Polish Jew, became the featured Strongman of circuses throughout the world. Based on the true story of Zishe of Lodz.
Add this book to your collection: Zishe the Strongman
