Horn Book
This third-person account lacks the intensity and passion of the Anne Frank we know from her diaries. But then, the author's hope is not so much to celebrate Anne's unflinching spirit as to help those ntroducing the Holocaust to children.The simple, understated text does make the Holocaust accessible, but the brightly colored, folk-style illustrations seem an odd match for Anne's life and times. A time line is included. -- Copyright © 1998 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Booklist
Based on the experience of Tarbescu's mother, this picture book is a simple, fictionalized, first-person account of the Jewish immigrant journey from Russia to America. Papa sends steamship tickets from New York City for Anya and her little sister, Tanya. Mama is dead, and Anya must care for her sister on the long journey. When they leave the Russian village, Grandma gives them each a family candlestick; on board the crowded ship, the sisters wave the candlesticks to find each other; when they get to Papa's apartment in the immigrant neighborhood, they light the candles for the Sabbath. Dabcovich's detailed pen-and-ink illustrations with acrylic and colored pencil show the leaving, the long journey over in the hold, the arrival, the terrifying medical inspections on Ellis Island, and the warmth of their reunion with their dad. Add this to all the immigration stories that will get younger readers interested in their own family stories. Hazel Rochman

The Beginning of the Rainbow

Beni's Family Cookbook for the Jewish Holidays

Beni's First Chanukah

Best Friends

Reviewer: Janice from Nazareth, PA USA Many of the lessons we all need to hear are best heard from the perspective of a child -- and by becoming childlike in our listening! These are the old stories so often over looked by our culture and our religious communities. A must to read to all children. A must to celebrate with the women of tomorrow! But I have used this book mostly with adults to re-enforce positive feminine lessons with a biblical back up they did not know exists. Let us continue to tell the stories! The author and illustrator do a beautiful job keeping the message alive!

Kirkus Reviews
Drawing on her Oakland childhood, Polacco tells a wonderful story about helping her best friends get an Easter hat for ``gramma.'' Unlike the narrator, Miss Eula and her two grandsons are Baptists; they're also, in Polacco's vibrantly individual pictorial characterizations, African-Americans. But because of ``a solemn ceremony we had performed in their backyard,'' Stewart and Winston are her brothers; and since ``my babushka had died,'' she also thinks of Miss Eula as her gramma. Hoping to earn the hat Miss Eula admires, the three approach old Mr. Kodinski at the hat shop, only to be angrily mistaken for the vandals who've just hurled eggs at his door. But dismay changes to hope with the idea of making Kodinski some beautifully decorated Pysanky eggs as a peace offering. Deeply touched, as much by their ``chutzpah'' as by the reminder of his Ukrainian homeland, Kodinski lets them sell additional eggs in his shop--and then presents the lovely hat to Miss Eula as a gift. Polacco has outdone herself in these joyful, energetic illustrations, her vibrant colors even richer and more intense than usual, while authentic details--real photos of Miss Eula's family, a samovar and devotional pictures in her own home, even the creative disarray of telephone wires on the dedication page- -enhance the interest. A unique piece of Americana, as generously warm as Miss Eula herself, with her glorious singing voice ``like slow thunder and sweet rain.'' (Picture book. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Kirkus Reviews
With energy and verve, Chaikin (Children's Bible Stories, 1993, etc.) retells stories about God, angels, and the creation of the world, taken from the Midrashim and other Jewish lore, from Genesis up to the sacrifice of Abraham. God is the very anthropomorphic one of the Old Testament, with feelings, regrets, and, occasionally, anger; the tales are peopled with angels who act as messengers to humankind. Chaikin names the angels Michael and Raziel as female, and tells readers about the female.

It is always a pleasure to read something by I.B.Singer. Although this short tale is recommended for ages 9-12, it is certainly also addressed to any age beyond. The tale is a delightful satire of society's political and ideological systems, in may aspects a short version of George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

Ingram
Discover the meaning of Passover by finding the answers to The Four Questions, while observing richly colored scenes and delicate Hebrew calligraphy that joyfully extend the meaning of this venerable tradition. "A striking picture book." Full color. --Kirkus Reviews, pointered review.

Ingram
It's the first night of Hanukkah--time to light the menorah and celebrate! But where are the candles? Join in the search for the missing candles and discover all sorts of Hanukkah surprises in this lift-the-flap adventure.

Booklist
Drawing on Jewish legends, two very different versions tell the story of the giant monster of sixteenth-century Prague, created by the holy Rabbi Loew from the clay of the river to help protect his people in the ghetto against racist persecution.

Booklist
Drawing on Jewish legends of the golem of Prague, this picture book captures the shape-shifting creature in all its mystery. The story itself lacks a clear focus, perhaps because Podwal includes too much. He begins with the story of the foolish emperor of Prague who, like Midas, wants to turn iron into gold. Then the focus switches to the great rabbi who can perform miracles. From the mud of the river the rabbi creates the giant golem to protect the Jews from persecution. Reminiscent of Chagall, the folk-art illustrations of the medieval city express the magical transformation of the powerful giant that first comes to the aid of the Jews and then becomes a monster out of control. Hazel Rochman

Joseph

King Solomon and His Magic Ring

"Have you heard?" In an intimate, conversational tone, Wiesel retells stories of King Solomon from the Old Testament and from the Talmud and the Midrash. Opposite each page of text, Mark Podwal's full-page paintings in gouache, acrylics, and colored pencil leave space for the mystery and evoke the playful exaggeration of the brief, legendary stories. There are many tales of the king's wisdom and grandeur and power (in the building of the Temple, "the heaviest stones moved on their own and set themselves into the walls"); but the great ruler was also wise enough to smile. The story of the Queen of Sheba is here, and so is the famous biblical account of how the wise king judged who was a baby's true mother. There are also vignettes of his mistakes and failures. Both the telling and the art are open, with no sense of an ending or a glib answer, just images and bits of story to think about. Hazel Rochman

Horn Book
Podwal tells of the creation of the first menorah and how it became the eightbranched lamp with the ""servant light"" used to celebrate Hanukkah today. Freely drawn color illustrations light up this gracefully told story, which provides readers with a new perspective on the holiday and its symbols. An author's note provides additional information. -- Copyright © 1999 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist
Ages 5-9. Ten Jewish holidays are explained with clarity, reverence, and brevity in an attractive book that takes children through the Jewish calendar. In free verse, Silverman describes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu BiShevat, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, and the Sabbath. "Saturday is a happy day of rest, and peace, and joyful prayers. / Tell a story, sing a song! Play a game. / When the sun sets and three stars glitter / in the nighttime sky, Sabbath is over." Of special interest is the artwork, a series of "collagraphs," a word that comes from combining collage and graphic. Paper, fabric, string, and other items are glued onto cardboard, and then the process continues with areas of the cardboard being pulled away. Texture is added, and then prints are made. Finally, watercolor is added to each print. Collagraphs of families under the Sukkot, Moses leading the Israelites through the parting Red Sea, and children dressed in costumes at Purim are compelling yet very childlike. A detailed glossary offers information for those who'd like to know more about each holiday. Ilene Cooper

Booklist
With a camera hidden under his raincoat, Grossman secretly photographed life in the Lodz ghetto in Poland. He distributed some of the prints and hid the negatives in the walls of his room. He died on a forced march in Germany in 1945, but his close friend saved some of the photos, which are now in a museum exhibit in Israel. Sixteen of his stirring full-page, black-and-white photos are included here, with brief text contributed by Frank Dabba Smith opposite each photo. There are crowd scenes of people being forced into the ghetto as well as sudden closeups of individuals--the shocked child in the cover photo; the boy sharing food with his little sister. A fine introduction talks about the pictures' "nervous, heroic, agitated" quality and discusses whether art can come from such suffering. What doesn't work here is Smith's commentary, a fictionalized first-person narrative, presumably in Grossman's voice. Grossman's life story, relegated to an afterword, is the real drama, the facts of the artist as secret witness. Hazel Rochman

Booklist
A beautiful wedding of the work of two talented individuals, this exquisitely designed book celebrates the Jewish holiday of Passover by sharing with readers both its bittersweet history and its customs. In the first section, Goldin mixes material from the book of Exodus with rabbinic stories based on the biblical texts to dramatically and lucidly retell the Passover saga--from the Israelites' enslavement by the wicked Pharaoh to the trials of Moses, the 10 plagues, and the deliverance from Egypt. The second portion of the book, equally well handled, explains the origins and symbolism of the Seder (the Passover meal commemorating the Israelites' freedom from bondage) and its special parts. Goldin speaks simply, warmly, and directly throughout the book and lets her own love of the holiday shine through--especially in an appended section in which both she and illustrator Waldman share a few personal Passover memories. The many illustrations are an attractive mix of bold graphics and soft colors. The geometric borders and pastels characteristic of Waldman's work are evident everywhere. This time, though, they're combined with stylized, classic Egyptian hieroglyphic figures and set against softly tinted pages that actually glow. The handsome pictures will lure kids to the fine text, which answers fundamental questions about one of the most beautiful holidays of the Jewish calendar. A book for family sharing as well as a rich source of information. Stephanie Zvirin

Booklist
The author-illustrator team that produced Hanukkah! (1990) is back with another very charming book about a joyous Jewish celebration. The focus is on family, and the book shows just how diverse a family can be--from Aunt Ina, who worries, and Uncle Arnold, who can never seem to stay awake, to wonderful Uncle Harry, who delights the children with his magic tricks. Hafner's brightly colored, busy watercolors show the family, "crowded and close," preparing for the traditional seder, then sitting down to enjoy the special holiday meal in the company of people they truly love. A warm, charming family portrait, with an explanation of the holiday (and the four questions traditionally asked during the service appear in English) at the back of the book. Stephanie Zvirin

From award-winning author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, a new story which lights our spiritual imaginations. When God tells Noah to bring the animals of the world onto the ark, God also calls on Naamah, Noah's wife, to save each plant on Earth. Entrusted with this task, Naamah sets off to every corner of the world, discovering a fabulous array of growing things, and gathering seeds, bulbs, cuttings, spores, and roots. She fills a room on the ark with every type of plant from amaryllis, soybeans, and wheat to lilies, moss, and even dandelions. Then, after 40 long days and nights on the ark, the most important part of Naamah's work begins. In this new story, based on an ancient text, Naamah's wisdom and love for the natural harmony of the earth inspires us to use our own courage, creativity, and faith to carry out Naamah's work today.

Booklist
Commanding acrylic paintings by Emily Lisker vibrantly interpret Cone's gracefully composed text, originally published in 1966 as The Jewish Sabbath. The history and customs of this weekly Jewish holiday are shown to evolve around the need for a time of rest. Thus, the Sabbath became a day dedicated to doing no work. Study, especially of the Torah, is one customary activity of the day, allowing the mind as well as the body to be renewed. Legends surrounding the magic of Shabbat are incorporated into the text, as is the tradition of Havdalah, the beautiful, brief ceremony that concludes Shabbat. A recipe for making challah, the traditional braided white bread prepared for Shabbat, and instructions for making a challah cover from paper napkins round out this attractively presented volume. Ellen Mandel

Polacco has a warm, colorful illustrative style that has enriched her numerous other works such as Babushka Baba Yaga and I Can Hear the Sun. Here she applies it to what at first seems the simple story of a Jewish girl, Trisha, and her Christian neighbors, whose bout with scarlet fever at Christmas threatens to ruin Trisha's Hanukkah. Trisha and her family respond with a loving gesture that is rewarded in kind.

Twelve-year-old Leely Dorman has a big problem. She knows the right thing to do, but getting it done seems impossible. How can Leely, the child of Russian immigrants living in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, find the money to pay back a debt to her friend-especially when the Dorman family can barely afford to put food on the table for themselves? In this charming first novel, author Lee Chai'ah Batterman introduces readers to Leely, her brainy fifteen-year-old sister Evy, and Arnie, her tag-along brother, as they face a new neighborhood, a new school and new friends. Over the course of the novel, Leely becomes a faithful friend, an entrepreneur and the first girl in the neighborhood to study to become a Bat Mitzvah. The contrast of Leely's Jewish background and her best friend Francy's Italian heritage adds an especially colorful twist to their sweet friendship.

A shiny little penny lives in a drawer with a bunch of pencils, pens and keys. Then a boy comes along and puts it in his pocket, and the penny's adventures begin. A wonderful story with a timeless message. Beautifully illustrated.

Booklist
A Yiddish story from eastern Europe combines two folklore traditions: the romantic Cinderella tale and the love-test between parent and child. Like King Lear, the father asks his daughters to tell him how much they love him. When his youngest and most beloved daughter, Mireleh, answers "the way meat loves salt," he drives her out in fury. Then the Cinderella story comes in, with Elijah the Prophet playing the role of fairy godmother. He gives the outcast girl a magic stick that enables her to dress up in satin and pearls, and the rich rabbi's son falls in love with her. At her wedding feast, she asks that the food be cooked without salt, and when her father complains that the food is tasteless, she reveals who she is, and he asks her forgiveness. The linocut prints painted in oil have the simplicity and exuberance of folk art. Children will enjoy the triumph of the outcast as well as the loving connections between the generations and between the stories. Hazel Rochman

The 17 stories in this 1968 book feature Ruth and Debbie--two sisters who were not quite twins, and both had pointy chins, from always looking up at the moon. Once a month, their mother let them stay up to look at the new moon that was like a silver cradle. Sometimes it sailed out of a cloud, rose from behind tall buildings or peeked from behind the branches of a tree. And once it rose out of the sea. But wherever the new moon came from, it brought the Jewish holidays, and the sisters greeted it with "Shalom aleichem!" (Peace welcome!)

Booklist
After an insightful look at the history of Hanukkah, Goldin offers eight brief stories, each expanding on one of the holiday's themes. She draws from Jewish folklore as well as the Bible and Talmud to weave tales that reflect the strength of faith, the anchoring role of tradition, the voice of women in Judaism, and the power of people's actions to bring about miracles. Two of the most compelling stories are rooted in history but set in contemporary times, giving an especially relevant spin to the holiday's lessons: In one, a lost soccer game and a forgotten lunch play a role in an Israeli youth's learning to trust his Arabic classmate; in the other, Leah's need to perform a good deed to fulfill a bat mitzvah requirement and a Holocaust survivor's testimony come together. The dramatically angular lines of Elaine Greenstein's prints painted over in gouache convey a childlike innocence in their composition and perspective. A stellar selection for Hanukkah festivities and collections. Ellen Mandel