Available booklists:	Annotated booklist	Bible stories	Autumn holidays
	King Solomon	Death	Holocaust
	Parenting	Disabilities	Passover

Jewish Books for Children

Compiled by Rabbi Amy R. Scheinerman

Abells, Chana Byers, The Children We Remember. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1983. (J 940.5315 A) The volume records the story of children who died in, and survived, the Holocaust. It does so through the use of photographs from the Yad VaShem Archives. The text is minimal and moving. The photographs are exceptional. Please be aware that there is a photograph of a child, in its parent's arms, being shot by a Nazi soldier.
Ackerman, Karen, Just Like Max. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. When Great-Uncle Max, a tailor, becomes sick and can not longer operate his sewing maching, Aaron becomes his "hands" and together they create something special. The story is set in New York City, with a multi-generational immigrant family. (age 6+)
Adler, David A. (illus. by Marilyn Hirsh), The House on the Roof: a Sukkot Story. New York: Bonim Books, 1976. (J 296.433 A) This is a delightful story about a grandfather who goes about gathering wooden crates, old leaves, old magazines and all sorts of things other people consider to be junk while his landlady complains. Then he invites his grandchildren up to the sukkah he has built on the roof. The landlady takes him to court, insisting he remove the sukkah and the judge's decision provides a humorous ending. This is a lovely book which children even too young to understand the ending, will enjoy. (age 3+)
Adler, David A., The Number on My Grandfather's Arm. New York: UAHC, 1987. A gentle introduction to the Holocaust for young children, told through the eyes of a young girl who asks about the number on her grandfather's arm. Told with photographs. (age 7+)
Adler, David A., One Yellow Daffodil: A Hanukkah Story. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1995. Morris Kaplan lives alone and owns a flower shop. When Ilana and Jonathan, two children who buy flowers for Shabbat from him each invite him for the first night of Chanukah, he is reluctant. He has not participated in Jewish observances since his time in Auschwitz, but the children's family rekindles in him an a long-forgotten Jewish spark.
Adler, David A. (illus. by Linda Heller), A Picture Book of Hanukkah. New York: Holiday House, 1982. (J 296.435 A) This volume retells the story of Chanukah with far more historical accuracy than other children's books I have read. It preserves to story of the miracle of the oil as well. The story is told clearly and concisely with beautiful illustrations. There is also a short section at the end outlining the customs observed in connection with Chanukah. (age 3+)
Adler, David, A Picture Book of Israel. Holiday House. The book depicts, through black and white pictures, the diversity of Israel: people, sites, etc. Well worth thumbing through. There is some commentary accompanying the photos.
Adler, David A. (illus. by Linda Heller), A Picture Book of Passover. New York: Holiday House, 1982. (J 296.437 A) Most of the book comprises a retelling of the story of the Exodus, from the arrival of Joseph in Egypt through the Parting of the Reed Sea. It is followed by an overly-brief summary of customs associated with the observance of Passover. The story does not follow the Biblical narrative faithfully; it draws on midrashim to embellish the tale. The illustrations are lovely. (age 4+)
Adler, David A. (illus. by Linda Heller), A Picture Book of Jewish Holidays. New York: Holiday House, 1981. (J 296.43 A) This book begins: "This is not a book of facts but of feelings. It's filled with the warmth of the Sabbath, the solemnity of Yom Kippur, the wonder of Hanukkah, the joy of Purim, the awe of Shavuot, and more. It's filled with the love Jewish people have for their traditions and holidays." Actually, it is a book of facts which cover the major festivals, and some of the minor holidays. The ideas expressed are overly sophisticated for very young children. It is not the best book on the subject I have read, but may appeal to some. (age 4+)
Adler, David, Our Golda. Viking Press. An illustrated biography depicting Golda's childhood in the USA and how is shaped her future as a leader of the Jewish State, with particular attention to the Jewish values and priorities she learned as a child. (Ages 8-11)
Adler, David A., We Remember the Holocaust. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1989. A factual and historical explanation of the Holocaust documented with photographs, timeline, and glossary. (age 10+)
Appleman-Jurman, Alicia, Alicia: My Story. 1988: Bantam Books, 1988. The Holocaust memoir of a then-13-year-old girl, who was separated from her family, helped rescue other Jews from the Gestapo, led them to safe hideouts, and acted with remarkable courage. (age 12+)
Aroner, Miriam, and Shelly O. Haas, The Kingdom of the Singing Birds. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1993. The king calls Rabbi Zusya to help him make a collection of rare and exotic birds sing by teaching him the importance of freedom. (age 5+)
Ashabranner, Brent, Gavriel and Jemal: Two Boys of Jerusalem. Dodd, Mead, 1984. A photo essay describing the lives, surface similarities and deep cultural and political differences between two Jerusalem boys, one Jewish and one Arab. This books serves as a good springboard for discussion. (Ages 8-12)
Atkinson, Linda, In Kindling Flame: the Story of Hannah Senesh. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1985. (J 940.5315 A) The true story of Hannah Senesh, who left Nazi Europe for a new life in Israel, but then returned to help her people in Hungary. She parachuted into Hungary to rescue Jews, but was caught, imprisoned and tortured by the Nazis at the age of 23.(Age 14+)
Auerbach, Julie Jaslow, Everything's Changing &emdash; It's Pesach! Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1986. In rhyming verse, a young girl explains how her family prepares for Pesach. (age 4+)
Auerbacher, Inge, I am a Star: Child of the Holocaust. Prentice-Hall, 1986. (J 940.5315 A) The true story of a young girl who grew up in Hitler's Germany and spent three years with her family in the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia before immigrating to the U.S. in 1946. In this book, she describes her experiences and includes photographs, artwork and her own poetry. (Age 11+)
Baxter, Leon, Daniel in the Lion's Den. Silver Burdett Company, 1983. (J 224.5 H) A simple and readable retelling of the biblical story of the Book of Daniel. The story itself is frightening (although Daniel survives his ordeal in the lion's den, it is not without suspense; further, those who plot against Daniel are, in the end, fed to the lions). The illustrations are good.
Baxter, Leon, David and Goliath. Silver Burdett Company, 1983. (J 221.9 H) A faithful retelling of the biblical story of young David's victory over the giant Goliath. Please be aware that, true to the biblical telling, after David disarms Goliath with his sling, he decapitates him.
Baxter, Leon, Elijah, Messenger of God. Silver Burdett Company, 1984. Biblical stories of Elijah well told and illustrated.
Bayer, Steven and Ilene, Rachel and Mischa. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1988. The lives of an American Jewish child and a Jewish child in the Soviet Union are compared. Children learn that Soviet Jewish children cannot celebrate and learn about their heritage openly and lack the books and ritual objects we sometimes take for granted. The book encourages Jewish children in America to become pen-pals of Soviet Jewish children. A very good book.
Baynes, Pauline, Noah and the Ark. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1988. Nice retelling with nice pictures. (age 4+)
Behrens, June, Hanukkah. Chicago: Children's Press, 1983. (J 296.435 B) This book tells the story of Chanukah in simple language. It also describes in detail, one family's celebration of Chanukah. The book contains many photographs of the family preparing latkes, lighting the menorah, singing, playing dreidel, having a Chanukah party and so on. Unfortunately, the book is not well organized; in addition, it drags in other facets of Jewish life (a mezuzah, Shabbat services, Religious School) without connecting them to Chanukah. This may be confusing to young listeners who have trouble sorting it all out. The use of photographs is a delightful change of pace; I recommend using the photographs and creating your own text to accompany them. (age 2+)
Bierman, Carol, Journey to Ellis Island: How my Father Came to America. Hyperion, 1998. The true story of the author's father's boyhood escape from Russia to NY in the early 1900s - he was almost turned away at Ellis Island because he was missing a finger. His father had been drafted into the Russian army, never to return, and his older sister was killed by crossfire during battle. Although it's a picture book, it's not written at an overly young level.
Bialik, Hayyim Nahman (trans. by Herbert Danby), And It Came to Pass. New York: Hebrew Publishing Company, 1938. Bialik's compilation of classical midrashim and tales about King David and King Solomon. Wonderful stories, but archaic English style. (age 12+)
Bogot, Howard I. and Mary K., Seven Animal Stories for Children, 1997. Seven stories drawn from the bible, aggadah, and folklore are presented here. The book seems to be aimed at very young children, and while the font is very large, the vocabulary is well beyond beginning readers, and the major illustrations are arranged so that children cannot see them while the text is being read to them. Still, the stories are good and very well told and Harry Araten's illustrations are appealing.
Bollinger, Max, Joseph. Delacorte Press, 1967. (J 221.92 B) Recounts the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, from Joseph's early years through his reunion with his father in Egypt. Lovely pen-and-ink drawings. (8 and up)
Brin, Ruth F., David and Goliath. Lerner Publications Company, 1977. (J 221.9 B) An acceptable version of the story of David and Goliath.
Brodsky, Beverly, The Story of Job. George Braziller, 1986. (J 223.1 B) An excellent retelling of the Book of Job with magnificent illustrations. This story will open up the question of theodicy: why do bad things happen to good people?
Brodsky, Beverly, Jonah. New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1977. (J 224 B) The story of The Book of Jonah is told simply and clearly from the prophet's perspective. The illustrations are gorgeous. The story will require a commentary from a parent, to explain why God would have a large fish swallow a human being alive. The parent will need to explain to the child that the story is not historical, but its message is nonetheless valuable and important. One big problem, however: God is depicted by the head of a bearded man toward the beginning of the book.
Bulla, Clyde Robert, Jonah and the Great Fish. Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1970. (J 224.92 B) This version of the story adds details not included in the biblical account, but on the whole it is clear and has full-page illustrations.
Bulla, Clyde Robert (illus. by Gordon Laite), Joseph the Dreamer. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1971. Bulla provides a very complete telling of the Joseph story, rich in detail so young readers will appreciate the complexity and nuances of the story. This is a truly fine book. (Age 10+)
Burstein, Chaya M., A First Jewish Holiday Cookbook. 1989. A brief explanation of all major holidays, followed by mouth-watering recipes which will appeal to children.
Burstein, Chaya M., A Kid's Catalog of Israel. JPS, 1988. The title says it all: a wonderful mish-mash of history, tories, biographies, holidays, crafts, recipes... even a bibliography!
Burstein, Chaya M., The Mystery of the Coins. UAHC, 1988. In some ways, this is Michener's "Source" for kids. Excellent story chronicling many periods in Jewish history through the story of a coin collection that contains coins from each era. (age 11+)
Bush, Lawrence, Emma Ansky-Levine and Her Mitzvah Machine. UAHC, 1991. For her 12th bithday, Emma (whose assimilated parents haven't bothered to give her a Jewish education) receives a unique gift: a mitzvah machine that teaches her about her Jewish identity and the meaning of becoming Bat Mitzvah. (age 11+)
Bush, Lawrence, Rooftop Secrets and Other Stories of Anti-Semitism. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1986. Eight stories about children who experience anti-Semitism in various parts of the world in different centuries ranging from Spain, 1492 to Cleveland, Ohio, 1986. (Grades 4-6)
Cedarbaum, Sophia N. (illus. by Clare and John Ross), Passover; Purim; Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipur; Shovuos; Sukos and Simchas Torah. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1960-1. (J 296.43 C) In the early 1960's, the Reform Movement published a series of books about Jewish holidays aimed at beginning readers. The titles listed above are part of the series. The books feature a brother and sister, Danny and Debbie, who learn about and celebrate the various festivals. The books include descriptions of the reasons (historical and otherwise) for celebrating the holidays and always explain how the holidays are observed in the Reform synagogue and at home. One especially nice feature is that the books incorporate the translations of some important prayers and blessings into the text. The books have lovely, colorful illustrations. For the most part, children enjoy them. However, the stories are long for young children; you may wish to condense. Also, the Hebrew is strictly Ashkenasic and it is appropriate to convert it to Sephardic. [3 and up]
Chaiken, Miriam, Aviva's Piano. Clarion Books, 1986. (J Ch) Aviva's family makes aliyah to Israel, settling on a kibbutz on the northern, Lebanese border of Israel. Since her arrival, Aviva has waited for the arrival of her piano. The day it arrives, a rocket attack on the kibbutz causes some damage to her home with unexpected, positive results. (Grades 2-4)
Chaiken, Miriam (illus. by Vera Rosenberry), Esther. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1987. The story of the Book of Esther is told in an engaging fashion with captivating, romantic line drawings. Beware of the ending (according the Bible, the Jews slaughter their enemies); parents may want to avoid this part of the story when reading the book to young children.
Chaikin, Miriam, Hinkl & Other Shlemiel Stories. New York: Shapolsky Publishers, 1987. Six stories about shlemiels, who resemble the fools of Chelm, but live throughout the world.
Chaikin, Miriam, Make Noise, Make Merry. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1983. The story of the Book of Esther, along with an explanation of the symbols and traditions of Purim. (age 9+)
Chaikin, Miriam, Menorahs, Mezuzas, and Other Jewish Symbols. New York: Clarion Books, 1990. A lovely volume explaining many Jewish customs and symbols, beautifully illustrated with black and white woodcuts by Erika Weihs.
Chanover, Hyman and Alice (illus. by Leonard Kessler), Pesah is Coming! USA: United Synagogue of American, 1956. (J 296.437 C) This book attempts to describe preparations for Passover. The first half of the book discusses a family's efforts to change dishes and pots in preparation for Passover (they even buy the cat new dishes); children whose families do not change dishes may have difficulty identifying with this procedure. This is followed by a lengthy discussion of how to make charoset and clean the house. The book is not exciting, but children will enjoy parts of it and the illustrations are simple and clear. [2 and up]
Chapman, Carol (illus. by Arnold Lobel), The Tale of Meshka the Kvetch. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1980. (E Ch) This is a delightful story about a woman's continual complaining which eventually comes true: her son turns into a bump on a pickle, her daughter does not recognize her, her home shrinks and her feet turn into melons. The rabbi tells her that this is a rare syndrome called "Kvecher's Itch." The only solution is to praise the good in her life. Meshka learns to do this and eventually becomes happier as a result. [3 and above]
Citrin, Paul J. , Joseph's Wardrobe. UAHC, 1987. Modern midrashic tale of adventure set in the time of King Solomon, whose purpose is to explore and explain five core Jewish values. (age 10+)
Cohen, Barbara, The Binding of Isaac. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, 1978. (E 222 C) Cohen retells the the story of the Binding of Isaac from the perspective of Isaac as an old man recounting it to his 12 grandsons and 1 granddaughter (the children of Jacob). She delves into the feelings of the characters involved in a way the Bible does not. The story may be frightening to very young children.
Cohen, Barbara, Bitter Herbs and Honey. (J Co) A young girl disagrees with her parents' standards for her, including their desire for her to date and marry a Jew. The book describes her thoughts and feelings about her Jewishness and her family's traditional views. (Grades 5-8)
Cohen, Barbara, The Christmas Revolution (J Co) The book delves into the discomfort and dilemma faced by Jewish students in public schools which celebrate Christmas. (Grades 4-7)
Cohen, Barbara, The Donkey's Story. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company, 1988. (J 222.1 C) An amusing retelling of the story of Balaam and Balak, in which the prophet Balaam's donkey opens his mouth and speaks. The story will be difficult for young children to understand and will require background information about the role of the prophet in ancient Israel and the theological concepts of blessing and cursing.
Cohen, Barbara, Even Higher. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1987. A retelling of the Peretz tale about true righteousness and holiness. This is a beautiful book; it should be in every home!
Cohen, Barbara, First Fast. New York: UAHC, 1987. A story about honor, integrity, growing up and the meaning of Yom Kippur.
Cohen, Barbara (illus. by Beverly Brodsky), Gooseberries to Oranges. (J Co) A young girl who was born in Eastern Europe and immigrated to America around the turn of the century tells her story: the war and famine which led her to leave, the trip over on the ship, her arrival at Ellis Island and her adjustment to America. (Grades 2-5)
Cohen, Barbara (illus. by Beverly Brodsky), Here Come the Purim Players. New York: Lothrop, Lee &Shepard Books, 1984. A wonderful, colorful account of how a medieval Jewish community celebrated Purim. Kids will love it.
Cohen, Barbara (illus. by Charles Mikolaycak), I am Joseph. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1980 (J 222 C) The biblical story of Joseph, from his early childhood through his reunion with his father, Jacob, is retold from Joseph's perspective as a modern midrash. Beautiful illustrations! (8 and up)
Cohen, Barbara (illus. by Michael J. Delaney), Molly's Pilgrim. (J Co) A third grade girl whose parents recently immigrated to the U.S. from Russia is made fun of be by her classmates because of her old-country ways and accented English. When Thanksgiving comes and she learns about the Pilgrims, her mother points out that she is a modern-day Pilgrim and Molly learns that "it takes all kinds of Pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving." (Grades 2-5)
Cohen, Barbara, Queen for a Day. (J Co) A young girl triumphs over the difficult life she lives, encouraged by the story of Queen Esther, which teaches her that life is always full of hope. (Grades 5-8)
Cohen Barbara (Illus. by Michael J. Delaney), The Secret Grove. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The tale of two boys, one Israeli, the other Arab, who meet by chance one day in an orange grove that separates their villages and learn as much about themselves as they do about each other. (Grades 4-6)
Cohen, Barbara (illus. by Michael J. Deraney), Yussel's Prayer: a Yom Kippur Story New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1981. (E Co) This is a wonderful book about prayer. It is about Reb Meir who is too wrapped up in his business dealings to concentrate on praying on Yom Kippur and about a young boy named Yussel who cannot read the prayerbook himself, but who prays through the music he makes with his flute and about the rabbi who knows that the Gates of Heaven are not open until God hears sincere prayers. This story assures children that God hears their prayers, however they express them, if they are sincere. [4 and up]
Cohen, Floreva , My Special Friend, New York: Board of Jewish Education, 1986. This is the story about two boys, one retarded, and their friendship in and out of synagogue. It is a wonderful story of challenge and triumph and loyalty.
Cone, Molly (illus. by Helen Borten), Purim. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1967. This is a clear and detailed retelling of the story of Esther which is true to the biblical account. It explains how Purim is observed at the end. The illustrations are interesting. [2 and up]
Cone, Molly (illus. by Ellen Raskin), The Jewish Sabbath. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1966. This is a nice book about what the Shabbat means to the Jewish people, and how it is celebrated by Jewish families. It touches on the connection with the Exodus, the story of Chanukah and the spirit of the world-to-come that we aim for on Shabbat. There are a few things you should be aware of in order to make this book better for reading to your preschooler: (1) the book is written third person ("they"); I recommend changing it to "we"; (2) there are some pages with only words and no pictures; if children have difficulty paying attention, condense the content and go on quickly; (3) the author refers to our Bible as the Old Testament; this should be changed. The illustrations are especially nice and colorful and much of the book is very nicely written. [3 and up]
Conway, Diana Cohen, Northern Lights: A Hanukkah Story. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies. This book is about a girl and her father in Alaska, who because of bad weather, have to spend the first night of Chanukah with an Eskimo family.
Cooper, Ilene, The Dead Sea Scrolls. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1997. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, and their ensuing tumultuous history in the hands of dealers and scholars, is told dramatically and diligently by Cooper and illustrated by John Thompson. The worlds of investigators, competing scholars, politics, science, and rival interpretations all come together i this fascinating telling. (age 12 and up)
Costabel, Eva Deutsch, The Jews of New Amsterdam. New York: Atheneum, 1988. A simple history of the events leading to the arrival of the first Jews in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam in 1654, how they adapted, and eventually prospered. Generously illustrated. (age 8+)
Cowan, Paul and Rachel Cowan. A Torah is Written. Jewish Publication Society. A beautiful book about the traditions and scribal art of writing a Sefer Torah . Sensitively and lovingly written and illustrated with photographs of an actual scribe at work.
Cowen, Ida and Irene Gunther, A Spy for Freedom: The Story of Sarah Aaronsohn. Dutton/ Lodestar. About a little-known heroine of the struggle for Israeli statehood; a spy story, a love story, a story of a passionate and rebellious woman who lived during WWII. (Age 11+)
Davidson, Margaret, The Golda Meir Story (rev. ed.), Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. This telling of Golda Meir's life emphasizes her childhood and includes many anecdotes. (Ages 9-13)
DePaola, Tomie, Noah and the Ark. Winston Press, 1983. A very nice retelling of the story of the flood with colorful illustrations.
Dobrin, Arnold, A Life for Israel: the Story of Golda Meir. New York: The Dial Press, 1974.
Dolphin, Laurie, Oasis of Peace. New York: Scholastic, 1993. Text and photos show lives of two boys &emdash; one Jewish and one Arab &emdash; who attend the same unique school in a community near Jerusalem in which Jews and Arabs are trying to live together in peace.
Drucker, Malka, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda: The Father of Modern Hebrew. Dutton/Lodestar. Profiles the man who was obsessed with re-establishing the ancient tongue as a modern, living language. Ben-Yehuda faced much opposition and the book describes life in pre-Israel Palestine. (Age 11+)
Drucker, Malka, and Michael Halperin, Jacob's Rescue. New York: Bantam Books, 1993. Historical fiction based on a true story from the Holocaust: 8-year-old Jacob is confined to the Warsaw Ghetto until he escapes and finds someone willing to shelter him. (age 10+)
Edwards, Michelle, Blessed Are You. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1993. A children's compendium of everyday prayers (mostly berachot) with magnificent painted illustrations by the author which inspire sensitivity, appreciation, prayerfulness, and spirituality among young children. (age 5+)
Edwards, Michelle, Chicken Man. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1991. Chicken Man moves from job to job on Kibbutz Hanan because everyone wants his job. What they don't understand is that it is Chicken Man's positive attitude that makes the job good.
Elborn, Andrew and Ivan Gantschev, Noah & the Ark & the Animals. Verlag Neugebauer Press, 1984. (J 221 E) A mare tells her colt the story of the flood in order to quell his fears that it will never stop raining. The biblical story is told simply and in a straight-forward manner with nice watercolor illustrations.
Eisenberg, Azriel, Fill a Blank Page: a Biography of Solomon Schechter. United Synagogue of America Jewish Education, 1965. (Age 12+)
Fass, David E., The Shofar That Lost Its Voice. New York: UAHC, 1982. A fantasy-midrash about a boy's adventue in a shofar, where he learns the meaning of the shofar's call to a higher ethical and spiritual life.
Feder, Harriet K. Not Yet, Elijah! Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1988. A whimsical tale for Pesach in rhyming verse in which the Prophet Elijah waits impatiently outside the door until it is his turn to enter and celebrate.
Fine, Helen, G'dee. New York: UAHC, 1958. The beloved tales of the naughty, mischievious goat G'Dee and his human family continue to delight children, and teach them about Jewish holidays in the telling.
Finkelstein, Norman H., The Other 1492.New York: Beech Tree Books, 1989. Traces the path of Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition after expulsion from Spain, to find new homes in the New World. Well told history for children. (age 11+)
Finkelstein, Norman, Remember Not to Forget. New York: Franklin Watts, 1985. A children's introduction to the Holocaust, from pre-World War II anti-Semitism to Yad VaShem. Simple text.
Fisher, Leonard Everett, Moses. New York: Holiday House, 1995. A retelling of the Exodus story with moving, dramatic illustrations. Excellent book.
Fisher, Leonard Everett, The Seven Days of Creation. New York: Holiday House, 1981. Simple retelling of Creation story with wonderful painted illustrations. Only problem may be the intertwining of Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 of Genesis.
Fisher, Leonard Everett, The Wailing Wall. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1989. The history of the Kotel includes many episodes from Jewish history, from the time of Abraham through to this century. Fisher chronicles the struggles for control of Jerusalem, and the many peoples who have claimed it as their own.
Fluek, Toby Knobel, Passsover As I Remember It. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994. A grandmother recounts her memories of how Pesach was celebrated in her home in Poland in the years before World War II.
Freehof, Lillian S., Stories of King David and Stories of King Solomon. JPS, 1955. Enchanting retellings of classical midrashim and folktales. Kids adore these stories and so will their parents.
Freedman, Florence B., Brothers. USA: Harper & Row. A wonderful and enchanting tale of two brothers who thought of each other's welfare before their own. According to tradition, Solomon built The Temple on the spot in Jerusalem where these two brothers met one moon-lit night. A very special story about love and selflessness.
Freedman, Florence, It Happened in Chelm. New York: Shapolsky Publishers, 1989. For those who cannot get enough of the stories about Chelm, the town of fools.
Friedman, Ina R., Escape or Die. Addison-Wesley, 1982. (J 940.5315 F) The author traveled around the world interviewing Holocaust survivors. In this book, she tells the story of 12 young people, Jews and non-Jews, who survived the Holocaust. An excellent volume. (11+)
Fussenegger, Gertrud, Noah's Ark. J.B. Lippincott, 1982. (J 222 F) A nice version of the story with beautiful illustrations. This version emphasizes what the people in the ark might have thought and felt.
Gallant, Janet, My Brother's Bar Mitzvah. Maryland, Kar-Ben Copies, 1990. A girl is worried that her brother, who does not strike her as the epitomy of maturity, will not be ready to become a Bar Mitzvah in time.
Gantz, Yaffa, The Gift that Grew. New York: Feldheim Publishers, 1987. A good story for Tu B'Shevat about the value and wonder of trees.
Geller, Norman, David's Seder. , 1983. A young boy is whisked away by Elijah the Prophet for a special trip and lesson that teaches him the importance of remembering Jewish history.
Gellman, Ellie, Jeremy's Dreidel. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies. This is the story of a boy who makes a braille dreidel for his blind father. The story deals more with the issue of sensitivity to disabilities than it does with Chanukah. It's a wonderful book.
Gellman, Ellie, Justin's Hebrew Name. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1988. When Justin begins religious school without a Hebrew name, his rabbi and friends help him pick one that fits him perfectly.
Gellman, Ellie, Tamar's Sukkah. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1988. A Sukkot story about community and cooperation. (age 5+)
Gellman, Marc, Does God Have a Big Toe? Harper Collins, 1989. Gellman's midrasim for children, many of which originally appeared in "Moment Magazine" are collected here. A stellar collection. The whole family will enjoy this and be inspired to write their own midrashim.
Gelman, Rita Golden, Queen Esther Saves Her People, 1998. This retelling of the Book of Esther sticks close to the biblical book and is clearly worded. The colorful, childlike illustrations of Frane Lessac will delight children and draw them into the story. This is an excellent book for teaching the story of Purim. (age 7 and up)
Geras, Adele, Golden Windows and Other Stories of Jerusalem. Harper Collins, 1993. Five short stories descibing life in Jerusalem in the first half of this century, told from the perspective of someone growing up then. (age 10+)
Geras, Adele, My Grandmother's Stories. Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. A collection of Jewish folkstories rooted in the lore of a grandmother from Russia, ranging rom tales of ancient Jerusalem, to the Russian countryside.
Gersator, Phillis, Honi and His Magic Circle. JPS, 1979. Talmudic tales of Honi Ha-Ma'aggel retold beautifully.
Gerstein, Mordicai, Jonah and the Two Great Fish.New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1997. Gerstein weaves the biblical account of the prophet Jonah with classical midrashim on this Yom Kippur afternoon Haftarah, producing an excellent book for children to dive into the sea of midrash. The illustrations are lovely.
Gerstein, Mordicai, The Shadow of a Flying Bird. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 1994. A legend from the Jews of Kurdistan about the death of Moses, and how difficult it is to give up life.
Gies, Miep, Anne Frank Remembered. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 1987. The story of the Frank family told from the perspective of the woman who sheltered them.
Gilman, Phoebe, Something From Nothing. New York: Scholastic, 1992. A retelling of the classic folktale; in this version, a baby's blanket is transformed into smaller and smaller items as he grows, until there is nothing left (or so it seems!) There is a concurrent story told through the delightful illustrations about the family of mice living under the house.
Ginsburg, Marvell, The Tattooed Torah. New York: UAHC, 1983. Based on the true story of the discovery and restoration of the Brno Torah, which was confiscated by the Nazis during the Holocaust. A sensitive introduction to the Holocaust for young readers.
Gold, Sharlya, and Mishael Mswari Caspi, The Answered Prayer. JPS, 1990. A wonderful and enchanting collection of Yeminite folktales featuring a colorful cast of characters. (9+)
Goldin, Barbara Diamond, Just Enough is Plenty. New York: Viking Kestrel, 1988. A Chanukah tale about sharing and miracles and the prophet Elijah. The illustrations by Seymour Schwast are especially wonderful.
Goldin Barbara Diamond, The Magician's Visit. Viking, 1993. A retelling of the I.L. Peretz tale about the" magician" who visits a poor couple for the first seder, and turns out to be none other than Elijah the Prophet. The watercolor illustrations of Robert Andrew Parker befit this wonderful story.
Goldin, Barbara Diamond, Night Lights: A Sukkot Story. San Diego, Harcourt Brace, 1995. A young boy learns about the meaning of Sukkot while overcoming his fear of the dark. Includes information on the history and customs of Sukkot. Age 4+
Goldin, Barbara Diamond, The World's Birthday. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1990. A young boy plans a birthday party for the world to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. (age 4+)
Goldstein, Andrew, My Very Own Jewish Home. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1983. A young girl takes young readers on a tour of her home, pointing out the many signs of Jewish tradition evident there. (age 4+)
Goodman, David R., David's Adventures Through the Western Wall. Israel: Gefen Publishing House. A fantasy-adventure, in which a pigeon named Kodesh takes a boy named David on a journey through the Kotel to the land of mitzvot, where he meets Noah.
Grand, Samuel and Tamar, Jews in Distant Lands. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Ten "newspapers" devoted to Jewish life in 10 countries on four continents: the Caribbean Islands, England, Ethiopia, France, Iran, Mexico, The Netherlands, Rumania, Scandanavia and Spain. (Grades 4-6)
Greene, Jacqueline Dembar, Butchers and Bakers, Rabbis and Kings. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1984. The story of the Jewish community of Tudela, in Spain, in 1114, which sought to convince the new king to grant them the rights to which they were accostumed. This intriguing anecdote from Jewish history provides insight into life in the Middle Ages.
Greene, Jacqueline Dembar, Out of Many Waters. NY: Walker & Company, 1988. A work of historical fiction based on the travels and trials of 23 Jews who traveled arrived in New Amsterdam in the 1500's, this story centers on a girl who was kidnapped from her parents during the Portuguese Inquisition and shipped to Brazil to work as a slave at a monastery. She escapes from the monastery and stows away on a ship bound for Amsterdam where she is befriended by a small group of Jews.
Greene, Patricia Baird, The Sabbath Garden. New York: Lodestar Books, 1993. An elderly Jewish man catches a young African-American girl spray-painting the hallway of their tenement as an expression of anger and frustration, thus inaugurated an unusual friendship, which turns out to be a symbiotic relationship.
Greenfeld, Purim. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983. A retelling of the Book of Esther.
Greene, Jacqueline Dembar, Nathan's Hanukkah Bargain. Maryland, Kar-Ben Copies, 1986. Nathan is determined to purchase his very own Chanukiah and he is very particular about its design. When his grandfather recounts his experiences growing up on the Lower East Side and handeling with merchants, Nathan discovers a way to buy the "perfect" Chanukiah.
Grode, Phyllis, Sophie's Name. Rockville: Kar-Ben Copies, 1990. Sophie Davida Finkle-Cohen thinks her name is long and cumbersome. She decides to become "Sue" until she learns where each part of her name originated.
Groner, Judyth Saypol, and Madeline Wikler, My Very Own Jewish Community Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1984. Text and photographs illustrate a child's view of the Jewish community, including syangogues, schools, stores and old age home.
Haas, Shelly O., Daddy's Chair. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1991. A young boy sits shiva with his family after his father's death, learning about jewish customs pertaining to the week of mourning, and coming to grips with his father's death.
Heller, Linda, The Castle on Hester Street. JPS, 1982. This one will have you in stitches. Grandpa has a vivid imagination and tells his granddaughter the story of his youth as an immigrant in greatly exaggerated terms, which grandma gently making historical corrections. A real winner! (6+)
Herman, Charlotte, What Happened to Heather Hopkowitz? JPS, 1981. Heather comes from a thoroughly assimilated family. She cannot imagine the value of religious ritual or observance until she spends time with an Orthodox family while her parents are away on vacation.
Herman, Erwin and Agnes, The Yanov Torah. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies,1985. The true story of how Jews in a work camp in Yanov during the Nazi occupation of L'vov, smuggled a Torah, piece by piece, into the camp despite enormous personal danger. (10+)
Hesse, Karen, Letters from Rifka. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1992. Rifka knows nothing about America when she flees from Russia with her family in 1919, and records her observations and experiences throughout in the form of letters to a cousin left behind. (12+)
Hest, Amy, The Ring and the Window Seat New York: Scholastic, 1990. A young girl leanrs to realign her priorities when she meets a man whose daughter is hiding back in his country with other Jewish children while he desperately earns money to pay for her passage to America.
Heymsfeld, Carla, The Matzah Ball Fairy. New York: UAHC, 1996. This one is a loser, to be avoided. The story is silly and lacking in purpose or meaning. The illustrations show the family watching TV and reading about UFO's on seder night. I mention it here, so you can avoid this one.
Hirsh, Marilyn, Captain Jiri and Rabbi Jacob. New York: Holiday House, 1976. (J 398.2 H) This story features two main characters, Rabbi Jacob who is pious and righteous and teaches his people about God and the Torah, and Captain Jiri who is brave and strong and protects the city of Prague, and about their guardian angels. One night Captain Jiri's guardian angels mistakenly visits Rabbi Jacob to tell him of a treasure for him lying under the bridge in Prague and Rabbi Jacob's guardian angel mistakenly tells Captain Jiri about a treasure waiting for him in the house of Rabbi Jacob. Each sets out in search of the treasure, but finds nothing. On the way back, they run into each other, discover the mistake and return home to find their treasures. But they find far more than just the treasures. Very young children may find the story difficult to follow, but will enjoy the book regardless. [2 and up]
Hirsh, Marilyn, Could Anything Be Worse? New York: Holiday House, 1974. (J 398.2 H) This is the re-telling of Yiddish tale about self-pity. The story centers around a man who is unhappy with his family life and blames all his misfortunes on his wife and children, saying "Could anything be worse?" He goes to see a rabbi who gives him a set of bizarre orders which serve to demonstrate to that man that, indeed, things could be much worse. The story is well-told and the illustrations are lovely. [3 and up]
Hirsh, Marilyn, I Love Hanukkah. New York: Holiday House, 1984. (E Hi) I Love Hanukkah is the companion to I Love Passover. It, too, is told from the perspective of a child; this time the child is a boy. The boy's grandfather comes to his home to tell him the story of Chanukah and participate in the lighting of the menorah. The story of Chanukah is told on children's level and the various customs associated with Chanukah (dreidel, latkes, etc.) are all mentioned. An excellent book. [2 and up]
Hirsh, Marilyn, I Love Passover. New York: Holiday House, 1985. (E Hi) I love Passover explains, in detail, how Passover is celebrated and tells the story of the Exodus from the perspective of a preschool girls who helps her mother set the table for the seder and then sits through the reading of the Haggadah. It is a wonderful book for children, filled with colorful, action-oriented illustrations. The language and level are excellent for preschoolers. [2 and up]
Hirsch, Marilyn, Joseph Who Loved the Sabbath. New York: Viking Kestrel, 1986. A delightful retelling of a Talmud tale whose moral is that celebration of Shabbat is an invaluable experience. A poor man who keeps Shabbat inherits his master's wealth in a surprising way due to his honor and respect for Shabbat.
Hirsh, Marilyn, Potato Pancakes All Around. New York: Bonim Books, 1978. (E Hi) This is a humorous story about an argument concerning the proper way to make latkes. Two grandmothers claim to have the best recipe until a peddler named Samuel comes along claiming to be able to make latkes from a crust of bread. Samuel takes advice from chickens and virtually everyone in the family, finally turning out the most delicious latkes anyone had ever eaten. An actual recipe for latkes is included on the last page. [2 and up]
Hogrogian, Nonny (illus.), Noah's Ark. Alfred A. Knopf, 1986. (J 221.9 H) A simple retelling of the story with nice illustrations.
Holiday Tales of Sholom Aleichem, selected and translated by Aliza Shevrin. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1979. Six classic tales to enjoy with the family!
Hutton, Warwick, Jonah and the Great Fish. New York: Atheneum, 1983. A lovely retelling with beautiful water-color painting, but there is a major problem with this book: The events once Jonah goes to Nineveh, including the repentance of the people of Nineveh and Jonah's reaction to it, are all condensed to two sentences, with no illustration, on the last page. The book ends before the story has been told. Used in conjunction with another book, or finished properly, however, this is a good book.
Hutton, Warwick, Moses in the Bulrushes. Atheneum, 1986. (J 222 H) A beautiful retelling of the birth and rearing of Moses in Egypt. The illustrations are lovely and the story is faithful to the Bible.
Isaacman, Clara, and Joan Adess Grossman, Clara's Story The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1984. (J 940.5315 I) Clara Isaacman was born in Romania and raised in Belgium. During WW II she was a member of the Belgian underground. After the war, she continued by help by searching for and assisting Jewish refugees. In this book, she tells of her experiences and the people she knew during the war. (11+)
Israel: A Picture Book to Remember Her By (designed by Philip Clucas), New York: Crescent Books. Consists primarily of full-spread color photographs of famous sights and views in Israel, with brief captions. Wonderful photos.
Jaffe, Nina, and Steve Zeitlin, While Standing on One Foot. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1993. As its subtitle proclaims: "Puzzle stories and wisdom tales from the Jewish tradition."
Johnston, Tony, The Harmonica. Charlesbridge, 2004. The true story of Henryk Rosmaryn is told for very young children: When the Nazis invaded Poland, his family was torn apart. Separated from his parents, he was sent to a concentration camp where he played Schubert on the harmonica for the brutal commandant of the camp, and sustaining his fellow prisoners with sweet music. The harmonica, a gift from his father, helped him survive. Ron Mazellan's artwork powerfully conveys the emotions of the story. (Age 6-9)
Karkowsky, Nancy, Grandma's Soup. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1989. A young girl confronts her beloved grandmother's growing confusion due to Alzheimer's disease, as well as her own feelings about it.
Keller, Mollie, Golda Meir. Franklin Watts, 1983. (Age 12+)
Kendall, Jonathan, My Name is Rachamim.New York: UAHC, 1987. Introduces the Ethiopian Jewish people, their lives in Ethiopia, and their predicament. The book follows the story of a boy who makes his way to the Sudan, and finally to Israel with his family. Read also: Falasha No More.
Kimmel, Eric, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol. Holiday House, 1995. Eleven wonderful, enchanting, funny tales of a real character, Hershel of Ostropol, whose exploits entertain a new generation. A gem of a collection, wonderfully retold.
Kimmel, Eric, Days of Awe. New York: Puffin Books, 1991. Three magnificent stories for the High Holy Days on the themes of Tzedakah, Tefilah, and Teshuvah. This is a real winner!
Kimmel, Eric, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. A winning tale about the exploits of Herschel of Ostropol who rids a synagogue of demons in a typically creative manner. This is a superb book and kids love it.
Kimmel, Eric, The Spotted Pony. New York: Holiday House, 1992. Eight stories for Chanukah, with introductions that constitute stories in themselves. Great material for the whole family.
Klein, Gerda Weissman (illus. by Vincent Tartaro), Promise of a New Spring: The Holocaust and Renewal. New York: Rossel Books, 1981. (J 940.5315 K) This book is an attempt to explain the Holocaust to young children. It compares the destruction and ensuing renewal of the survivors with the destruction of a forest by fire. For children who ask about the Holocaust, this presents it in a novel way, emphasizing hope and renewal over destruction. The subject matter indicates the appropriate age more than the style and vocabulary of the book; each parent will have to make this sensitive decision individually.
Knight, Vick Jr., (illus. by Joseph H. Henninger), Send for Haym Salomon! Bordon Publishing Company, 1976. (Age 12+)
Kolatch, Alfred J., The Jewish Children's First Book of Why. New York: Jonathan David Publishers, 1992. Brief explanations of Jewish customs and practices presented in Q/A format.
Koralek, Jenny, Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1990. A retelling of the Chanukah story, emphasizing the triumph over oppression and violence.
Krantz, Hazel, Daughter of My People: Henrietta Szold and Hadassah. Lodestar Books, 1987. Henrietta Szold devoted her life to the medical needs of Palestine's poor and the problems of Youth Aliyah refugees during the Nazi era. (Ages 11-14)
Kresh, Paul, Isaac Bashevis Singer: The Story of a Storyteller. Dutton/Lodestar. Simplified version of Kresh's adult biography of Singer. (Age 11+)
Kuchler-Silberman, Lena (trans. by David C. Gross) , My Hundred Children. New York: Dell Publishing, 1961. The story of a woman who led a small army of Jewish children from Poland to Israel. (age 12+)
Kushner, Arlene, Falasha No More: An Ethiopian Jewish Child Comes Home. New York: Steimatsky, 1986. The story of a Jewish boy from Ethipia who comes to Israel with his family and faces enormous cultural differences, but learns how to adapt to his new life. Read also: My name is Rachamim.
Lasky, Kathryn, The Night Journey Frederick Warne, 1981. Historical fiction tracing the esacpe of a Jewish family from Russia around the turn of the century. The book emphasizes the dangers involved, as well as the relationship between a young girl and the great-grandmother who tells her the story.
L'Engle, Madeleine, Ladder of Angels. Penguin Books, 1979. Dozens of biblical stories and events are recounted, each illustrated with pictures by children from around the world.
Lepon, Shoshana, Hillel Builds A House. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1993. Young Hillel loves to build "houses" for every occasion; finally he finds a Jewish holiday perfectly suited to his penchant for constructing houses.
Levin, Carol, A Rosh Hashanah Walk. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1987. A grou pof children take a stroll on Rosh Hashanah and learn about tashlich and asking forgiveness on the New Year.
Levine, Arthur A, All the Lights in the Night. New York: Tambourine Books, 1991. Two boys set out an a dangerous journey leaving Russia to escape to Palestine. Their journey overlaps with Chanukah, and the meaning of the holiday sustains them on the way, as they light a lamp their mother gave them, hoping for a miracle of their own.
Levinson, Nancy Smiler, I Lift My Lamp: Emma Lazarus and the Statue of Liberty. Dutton/Lodestar. Parallels the story of Emma's life with that of the building of the statue until the day, years after Emma's death, when her sonnet was engraved on the statue's base, transforming it into the "Mother of Exiles". (Age 11+)
Levitin, Sonia, Journey to America. Atheneum, 1970. Historical fiction about a girl whose family leaves Germany shortly before Kristallnacht and spends many months in Switzerland before immigrating to America.
Levitin, Sonia, The Return. Atheneum, 1987. Tells the story of Ethiopian Jews, emphasizing their mistreatment by their countrymen. The books tells the story of one young orphaned girl, whose village is driven out, her trek to the Sudan and eventual travel to Israel. (Age 11+)
Levoy, Myron, The Hanukkah of Great-Uncle Otto. Philadelphia: JPS, 1984. Joshua's great-uncle Otto feels depressed and despondent; old age is taking its toll. A touching story about the symbiotic relationship between a young boy and an old man.
Lewis, Shari, One-Minute Jewish Stories and One-Minute Bible Stories. Doubleday, 1989. Two indispensable collections of classic Jewish literature retold perfectly for bedtime. Kids love these books.
Linnea, Sharon, Raoul Wallenberg: The Man Who Stopped Death. JPS, 1993. The story of Wallenberg's daring and courageous efforts to save Hungarian Jews from certain death during the Holocaust. (age 11+)
Little, Emily, David and the Giant. Random House, 1987. (J 222 L) A nice retelling of the story of David and Goliath with big, color pictures and large-print simple words. Children who are learning to read will be able to read this book themselves.
Lowry, Lois, Number the Stars. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989. Historical fictional account of the Danish rescue of their Jews. Kids absolutely adore this book, and I've seen many who reread it many times. (age 10+)
Manushkin, Fran (Illus. by Uri Shulevitz), Daughters of Fire. New York: Silver Whistle Harcourt, Inc., 2001. The stories of Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel, Miriam, Deborah and Yael, Hannah, Ruth and Naomi, and Esther are told in loving detail. (Age 11+)
Manushkin, Fran, Miriam's Cup: A Passover Story, 1998. A rare gem of a book, which introduces the innovative ritual of Miriam's Cup at the Pesach seder in a gentle and loving manner, while at the same time retelling the story of Exodus with special attention to Miriam's role in the redemption. Manushkin skillfully draws on the biblical text and classical midrashim, weaving them together to make produce a whole that is even greater than the sum of its parts. (age 6 and up)
Manushkin, Fran, The Matzah That Papa Brought Home. Scholastic, 1995. Richly illustrated with oil paintings on linen by Ned Bittinger, this book is written in the style of "The House That Jack Built" and describes lovingly a family's celebration of the Pesach seder. A truly outstanding book.
Marcus, Audrey Friedman and Raymond A. Zwerin (illus. by Judith Gwyn Brown), But This Night is Different: a Seder Experience. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1980. The authors of this book attempt to draw on a child's own life experiences to understand the Haggadah: the feelings of oppression, slavery, liberation and freedom. Unfortunately, some examples are negative: the mother is the pictured as an oppressor. I do not consider this to be a constructive way to present these ideas. In addition, all the blessings used in the seder are presented in Hebrew and transliteration, but without English translations! If you can circumvent these problems, there is much of value in this book. [2 and up]
Matas, Carol, Sworn Enemies. New York: Bantam Books, 1993. The story of the difficult relationship of two boys who have been sheltered from serving in the czar's army and experience torture, forced conversion, and seek revenge. The story explores the complex issues of betrayal, faith, and forgiveness. (age 12+)
McDonough, Yona Zeldis, Eve and Her Sisters. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1994. Brief stories of 14 biblical women. Colorful folkart painted illustrations by the author's mother. (6+)
Medoff, Francine, The Mouse in the Matzah Factory. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1983. The process of making shmurah matzah is told whimsically through the eyes of a mouse spying on the proceedings, start to finish.
Mee, Charles L., Jr., Moses, Moses. Harper & Row, 1977. A very simple and clear retelling of the account of Moses' birth and rescue from the Nile River by pharaoh's daughter.
Meir, Mira, Alina: A Russian Girl Comes to Israel. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1982. Alina's challenges and problems adjusting to a new country, new language and new culture are honestly discussed. Text is accompanied by photographs. An excellent book.
Melnikoff, Pamela, Plots and Players. JPS, 1996. Three Jewish childrn try to save Queen Elizabeth's Jewish physician when he is falsely accused of spying for Spain. Whimsical, but little Jewish content.
Melnikoff, Pamela, The Star and the Sword. JPS, 1994. Two Jewish orphans in 12th century England join forces with Robin Hood and his men to rescue Richard the Lionhearted. Fun fluff, but little Jewish content.
Meltzer, Milton, Rescue: The Story of How Gentiles Saved Jews in the Holocaust. Harper Collins, 1988. A recounting of a dozen true and inspiring tales of rescue.
Michelson, Richard, Across the Alley. Gp P. Putnam's Sons, 2006. Abe, who is Jewish, and Willie, who is African American live across the alley from one another, their windows facing and facilitating a deep friendship despite their parents' and community's distance from one another in Brooklyn many decades ago. Abe is being raised to be a violinist; Willie is being raised to be a major league baseball player. Each is intrigued by the skills and interests of the other. The two boys find a way to bridge the gap across the alley and bring their families along with them to a new level of understanding and friendship. You will enjoy this marvelous book along with your child(ren).
Michelson, Richard (illus. by Raul Colon), As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom, Alfred Knoft, 2008. Although King and Heschel came from different backgrounds, both experienced the bigotry of societies that told them they were not good enough and closed many doors in their faces. Yet each grew to believe with passion that all people are good enough, and to carry a message of peace and respect for all peoples, especially as their lives crossed and they became colleagues and friends, participating together in the 1965 civil rights march in Selma, Alabama.
Michelson, Richard, Grandpa's Gamble. Marshall Cavendish, 1999. A brother and sister find their elderly grandfather, who spends much of his day davening, rather boring, until he tells them the story of his life, beginning in Eastern Europe and encompassing the trials and traumas of immigration and life on the Lower East Side. With new appreciation for their grandfather, the children attain new respect for his prayer life.
Michelson, Richard, Too Young for Yiddish. Talewinds, 2002. A charming and moving story of a young American boy, conversant in baseball, who learns to speak and appreciate the language of his zayde: Yiddish. The message of the book is not quite that of the title: One is never too young to learn Yiddish, and that in preserving Yiddish, we preserve an important piece of our Jewish heritage.
Milgrim, Shirley, Haym Salomon: Liberty's Son. Jewish Publication Society. An account of the struggle of Haym Salomon, who participated in the revolution of the colonies against England.
Miller, Deborah Uchill, Fins and Scales: A Kosher Tale. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1991. The laws of kashrut are explained in whimsical rhyme.
Miller, Deborah Uchill, Poppy Seeds, Too. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1982. A whimsical tale about baking challah.
Miner, Julia (illus.), The Shepherd's Song. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1993. Miner gives life to the metaphorical images of the Twenty-third Psalm with her beautiful pastels, interpreting the psalm in terms of relationships children can comprehend. (ages 7-10)
Murdock, Hy, Joseph. Ladybird Books, 1985. An simple and accurate recounting of the story of Joseph and his brothers. The illustrations are cheerful and colorful.
Murdock, Hy, Moses. Ladybird Books, 1985. Tells the story of Moses from birth through the encounter with the burning bush. The story is told simply and clearly and is accompanied by cheerful and colorful illustrations.
Niemark, Anna E., One Man's Valor: Leo Baeck and the Holocaust. Dutton/Lodestar. Commemorates the heroism of the German Reform rabbi who, during the darkest days of the Holocaust, offered his people comfort and hope in the concentration camps.(Age 11+)
Nolan, Han, If I Should Die Before I Wake. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994. Holocaust fiction-fantasy about an anti-Semitic teenager who belongs to a neo-Nazi gang who is critically injured in a traffic accident. In the hospital, she is suddenly bombarded by the memories of a Jewish girl in Poland during the War; she becomes the girl in some sense, and experiences the Lodz ghetto at its worst.
Oberman, Sheldon, The Always Prayer Shawl. Boyds Mills Press, 1994. The story of tradition being passed down through the generations is exemplified by the handing down of a tallit, from father to son, to grandson.
Omer, Devorah (trans. by Ruth Reznik) , The Gideonites. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1968. The story of the "Nili" spies in the Middle East during the Turkish period when Zionism was in its infancy. (age 13+)
Orlev, Uri, Lydia, Queen of Palestine. (trans. by Hillel Halkin) New York: Puffin Books,1991. Holocaust era fictional story about a girl who wasd born in Rumania and sent on a children's train to live on a kibbutz in Israel. Her adjustment to her new life during wartime, and her imagination and chutzpah are the themes of the book.
Paterson, Katherine, The Angel & the Donkey. Clarion Books, 1996. A honest effort at making the difficult and unusual account from the Book of Numbers of Balaam's prophesy comprehensible to children. Paterson delves into the character and motives of Balaam, as well as his relationship to Balak, the king of Moab.
Patterson, Jose, Angels, Prophets, Rabbis and Kings from Stories of the Jewish People. Peter Bedrick Books, 1991. A large volume of retold biblical tales, midrashim, and legends.
Peretz, Isaac Leib, The Seven Good Years and Other Stories of I.L. Peretz. (translated and adapted by Esther Hautzig). The Jewish Publication Society. Hautzig has translated and abridged for children 10 of Peretz's best-loved stories, including "Bontche Schweig," "The Magician," and "If Not Still Higher." Peretz's stories about love, piety and miracles are Jewish classics.
Pessin, Deborah, The Aleph-Bet Storybook. JPS, 1946. No doubt, it's a classic, weaving the delightful tales of the Hebrew alphabet and their adventures in the Garden of Eden in with other biblical tales. These stories continue to delight young children. (age 4+)
Pinkney, Jerry, Noah's Ark. New York: SeaStar Books, 2002. With beautiful and expressive watercolor paintings, Pinkney tells the story of the Flood, emphasizing Noah's trust in God to steer the ark through the storm.
Polacco, Patricia, Mrs. Katz and Tush. Bantam Books, 1992. About the wonderful friendship between an lonely elderly Jewish widow and a young African-American boy named Larnel. They come together because of a kitten, and learn that they have a great deal in common, enough to become "family." A very moving book. (age 5+)
Polacco, Patricia, The Keeping Quilt. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1988. Polacco tells the story of a homemade quilt, made from scraps of clothing of her relatives who immigrated here from Europe, which is passed down from generation to generation, used as many things, but always a chupah in each generation.
Pomerantz, Barbara, Bubby, Me, and Memories. New York: UAHC, 1983. This books helps children confront the feeling of loss when a loved one dies. A child evokes memories of her grandmother and learns to convert her pain into a positive memory.
Portnoy, Mindy Avra, Mommy Never Went to Hebrew School. Rockville: Kar-Ben Copies, 1989. Introduces and explains the phenomenon of conversion to Judaism.
Provost, Gary, and Gail Levine-Provost, David and Max. JPS, 1988. The story of the loving relationship between a boy and his grandfather; David learns to deal with his grandfather's experiences in the Holocaust. (age 12+)
Ransom, Candice F., So Young to Die. New York: Scholastic, 1971. The life of Hannah Senesh.
Ray, Dr. Eric, Sofer, with Joel Lurie Grishaver: The Story of a Torah Scroll. Torah Aura Productions, 1986. Dr. Ray explains the process, traditions, rules, and religious meaning of his work as a Sofer S'tam. He also explains his associations with each of the letters. The book has many black-and-white photos and is decorated with Dr. Ray's beautiful calligraphy. (Age 7 and up)
Reed, Allison, Genesis: The Story of Creation. Schocken Books, 1981. The text is a direct translation of Genesis 1:1-2:3 (the story of the Creation in Six Days). The illustrations are beautiful.
Reed, Allison, The Story of Jonah. North-South Books, 1987. A faithful retelling of the story with magnificent illustrations.
Reis, Johanna, The Journey Back. Harper Collins, 1976. Set in Holland in 1945 at the end of the War, a 13-year-old girl and her sister emerge from hiding in the upstairs room of a farmhouse and attemt to rebuild their lives.
Reis Johanna, The Upstairs Room. As a child in Holland during the Holocaust, Johanna Reiss and her older sister spent years hiding upstairs in the house of a Gentile farm family. Reiss avoids painting people as saints or villains, and includes a short epilogue describing her visit with the family years later, bringing her own girls to see where she hid during the war. This book is a good alternative choice for children who would not be able to handle some of the themes in Anne Frank's diary. The reader for the audiobook version is excellent at portraying the various characters.
Renberg, Dalia Hardof, King Solomon and the Bee. Harper Collins, 1994. A beautiful retelling of the tale of King Solmon and the Queen of Sheba's riddle, which may have been the creation of Hayyim Nahman Bialik. The illustrations by Ruth Heller are magnificent. (age 4+)
Roseman, Kenneth, All in My Jewish Family. New York: UAHC, 1984. A picture-perfect photo album of Jewish children around the globe to teach Ahavat Yisrael to young children. (age 4+)
Roseman, Kenneth (illus. by Bill Negron), The Cardinal's Snuffbox. UAHC. Set during the Spanish Inquisition, a do-it-yourself Jewish adventure story in which the reader makes decisions which affect his/her own "fate". (Grades 5-8)
Roseman, Kenneth, The Melting Pot: An Adventure in New York. UAHC. Set in the Lower East Side of New York at the turn of the century, a do-it-yourself Jewish adventure in which the reader makes life decisions as s/he reads the book. (Grades 5-8)
Roseman, Kenneth, The Other Side of the Hudson. UAHC, 1993. A choose-your-own-adventure about German Jewish immigration to American in 1850.
Roseman, Kenneth, The Tenth of Av. UAHC, 1988. A choose-your-own-adventure about the aftermath of the Destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 69/70 CE.
Rosen, Anne, Jonathan and Norma, A Family Passover. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1980. The narrator of this book is 10-year-old Anne who describes her family's preparations for, and celebration of, Passover. The holiday is celebrated in a "traditional" manner (i.e. changing the dishes, burning the chametz and father conducting the seder). The book is illustrated with black-and-white photographs of Anne's family. [2 and up]
Rosemblum, Richard, My Bar Mitzvah. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1985. The author describes the celebration of his becoming a Bar Mitzvah in the 1930's. A lovely story.
Rosenblum, Richard, Journey to the Golden Land. JPS, 1992. A Jewish family leaves the oppressive conditions of czarist Russia, endures the long and difficult journey to America, lands at Ellis Island, and begins life anew in the Golden Land.
Rosenblum, Richard, The Old Synagogue. JPS, 1989. Tells the story of a thriving synagogue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at the turn of the century that was later abandoned as Jews moved out of New York City, then became a factory, and as time goes by, Jews return to the neighborhood and restore the old synagogue.
Rosenfeld, Dina, Why the Moon Only Glows. New York: Hachai, 1992. A rhyming, poetic retelling of the midrash from Bereishit Rabbah 6:6 about the diminution of the moon in size and brightness because of her unwilling ness to share the sky with the sun.
Rosman, Steven, Deena the Damselfly. New York: UAHC, 1992. A damselfly nymph vowls to solve the mystery of why older nymphs are disappearing when they reach maturity, but she is not prepared for her own startling transformation. A celebration of change and the life cycle.
Ross, Lillian Hammer, Buba Leah and Her Paper Children. JPS, 1991. A grandmother's fervent desire to see her children, who have emigrated from Russia to America, is fulfilled when she receives a letter from them. Magnificent illustrations by Mary Morgan. (age 6+)
Rossoff, Donald, The Perfect Prayer. UAHC 2003. A beautiful midrash on the word "Shema," this book provides young children three important ideas to grasp and absorb in developing their relationship with God and in learning to pray: listening, thinking, and awe. The illustrations by Tammy L. Keiser will engage young children. (age 4-6)
Rothenberg, Joan, Yettele's Feathers. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children, 1996. This marvelous retelling of story which illustrates the harm and irreversibility of rumor-mongering is must reading. Rothenberg tells the story of Yettele, who sees no harm in her tales about other people, and whose rabbi teachers her about lashon hara.
Ruggill, Peter, The Return of the Golem: A Chanukah Story. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1979. A children's telling of the story of the Golem.
Sasso, Sandy Eisenberg, God's Paintbrush. Vermont: Jewish Lights Publishing, 1992. Invites children and parents to discuss God and how God touches our lives and our world. Employs lovely metaphors for conceiving of God.
Scharfstein, Sol, What Do You Do on a Jewish Holiday? Ktav Publishing House. A pop-up book for youngsters highlighting special features of Jewish holidays. (age 3+)
Schnur, Steven, The Narrowest Bar Mitzvah. New York: UAHC, 1986. About the true meaning of becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah. (age 9+)
Schnur, Steven, The Return of Morris Schumsky. UAHC, 1987. A delightful tale about the meaning of a Jewish wedding told through the exploits of the energetic and irrepressible Morris Schumsky. (age 9+)
Schnur, Steven, The Tie Man's Miracle. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1995. On the last night of Chanukah, Mr. Hoffman arrives to sell his neckties. Staying longer than he expects, he shares with 7-year-old Seth the story of how he lost his family in the Holocaust, as well as a story about a Chanukah miracle. This book is suitable for very young children.
Schram, Peninnah, The Big Sukkah. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1986. A Jewish family in the old country don't usually host their big family because their home is so small, but one Sukkot Berel has a brilliant idea for making a large space for entertaining.
Schur, Maxine, (illus. by Donna Ruff), Hannah Szenes: A Song of Light. Jewish Publication Society, 1986. (Age 12+)
Schwartz, Amy, Mrs. Moskowitz and the Sabbath Candlesticks. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1983. This is a wonderful story about an old woman who moves, with her cat Fred, to an apartment. She is lonely and depressed and has no desire to unpack, until her son presents her with her silver Shabbat candlesticks. The candlesticks evoke such warm memories for Mrs. Moskowitz, that she is inspired to unpack, clean the entire apartment, bake challah and invite guests for Shabbat for the sake of the candlesticks. [2 and up]
Schwartz, Amy, Yossel Zissel and the Wisdom of Chelm. A delightful introduction to the folklore about Chelm written especially for children. (Age 6-9)
Schwartz, Howard, and Barbara Rush, The Diamond Tree. Harper Collins, 1991. A selection of Jewish stories from around the world with lovely color illustrations by Uri Shulevitz. Well worth reading!
Schwartz, Howard, Miriam's Tambourine, Elijah's Violin, Gabriel's Palace, and Lilith's Cave are all collections of Jewish folkstories from around the world. They consistitute an invaluable library of Jewish literature and are great fun to read. 9age 10+)
Segal, Jerry, The Place Where Nobody Stopped. New York: Orchard Books, 1991. Tales about a colorful list of characters from a small Eastern European town between 1895 and 1906. (age 12+)
Segal, Lore (illus. by Leonard Baskin), The Book of Adam to Moses. Alfred A Knopf, 1987. This volume contains stories from the Torah, Genesis to Deuteronomy. There are scattered illustrations, mostly text and therefore the book might not be appropriate to young children. Older children, who can read, might enjoy it.
Segal, Lore, The Story of King Saul and King David. New York: Schocken Books, 1991. Retelling of biblical tales, illustrated with reproductions from Pamplona bibles.
Segal, Sheila, Joshua's Dream. New York: UAHC, 1985. Retells the story of Zionism as it affects the life of one family, culminating in the fulfillment of a young boy's dream of planting a tree in Israel.
Sherman, Eileen Bluestone, Monday In Odessa. Philadelphia: JPS, 1986. The story of two Jewish children whose families seek to emigrate to Israel: one is excited, the other is not. The story chronicles their difficulties and the pressures placed on them and their families by the Soviet authorities and Soviet citizens. An excellent book. Winner of the 1986 National Jewish Book Award.
Sherman, Eileen Bluestone (illus. by Katherine Janus Kahn), The Odd Potato. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1984. This is a warm and touching story about a young girl, Rachel, who has lost her mother and whose father is so overcome by his loss that he no longer wishes to celebrate the holidays and will not help her locate her mother's Chanukah menorah. Rachel uses a potato to hold the candles on the first night of Chanukah because her mother had told her that as a child, her family had used a potato because they had been unable to afford a menorah. The sight of the potato-menorah inspires the father to help his daughter find the menorah and celebrate the holiday with his children. [2 and up]
Shulevitz, Uri, The Treasure. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1978. This is a retelling of an old tale (essentially the same story as Marilyn Hirsch tells in Captain Jiri and Rabbi Jacob) about a poor man who dreams there is a treasure under the bridge in the capital city and goes searching for it, only to find that the real treasure is in his own home and he never knew it. Shulevitz, the famous illustrator, has adorned this telling of the tale with magnificent paintings which children will surely enjoy. Aside from the "moral of the story" the story also teaches one appropriate ways to celebrate one's good fortune.
Shulevitz, Uri, The Magician. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1973. This is the retelling of a tale by the Yiddish storyteller, I. L. Peretz. It is the story of the prophet who appears in the guise of a magician on the eve of Passover to conjure up a Passover feast for a poor couple. It is a lovely tale.
Siegel, Danny, Tell Me a Mitzvah. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1993. Fifteen accounts of righteousness by real people, with suggestions to inspire the reader to find his/her own tzedakah project. Excellent book!
Silverman, Erica (illus. by Deborah Nourse Lattimore), Gittel's Hands. BridgeWater Books, 1996. A Jewish Rumpelstilskin story, set in the Carpathian Mountains, with Elijah the Prophet saving the day. A charming story about modesty and family loyalty. Also a loving view of a single-parent family (father and daughter). Lattimore's Chagall-like illustrations add great flavor. [Age 5-9]
Simon, Norma (illus. by Ayala Gordon), The Purim Party. USA: United Synagogue of America, 1959. This is a simple book about children who dress up for, and participate in, a Purim pageant and party. The illustrations are colorful and simple and the language is very simple. [1-1/2 and up]
Simon, Norma (illus. by Ayala Gordon), Simhat Torah. USA: United Synagogue of America, 1960. This volume is suitable for very young children (perhaps even 1-1/2 and up). It begins with a lovely description of children making flags for Simchat Torah. One strong warning: this book makes it clear that only men and children participate in the synagogue celebration of Simchat Torah. You may want to change to text of the book. There is a glossary in the back. [1-1/2 and up]
Simon, Norma (illus. by Harvey Weiss), Tu Bishvat. USA: United Synagogue of America, 1961. This book is suitable for 1-1/2 year olds. It explains the connection between fruits and seeds and planting seeds and growing plants. The illustrations are not exciting but they are adequate. [1-1/2 and up]
Simon, Solomon, The Wise Men of Helm and More Wise Men of Helm. Behrman House, 1965. Delightful and whimsical tales of this reknowned city and its colorful population.
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, The Fools of Chelm and Their History. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973. This small volume (actually a short story) is delightful. (age 9+)
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, Naftali the Storyteller and His Horse, Sus. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973. Eight classic Singer tales, reprinted from "Stories for Children."
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, The Power of Light. Toronto: Harper & Collins, 1980. Eight short stories for the eight nights of Chanukah or for any other time. Wonderful stories!!!
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, Reaches of Heaven. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1980. An account of the life of the Besht which stresses the experience of God's presence. Nice illustrations by Ira Moskowitz. (13+)
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, Stories for Children. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1962. A generous collection of stories for children on a wide variety of subjects. Includes many Singer classics. (Age 12+)
Singer, Isaac Bashevis, A Tale of Three Wishes (illus. by Irene Lieblich). New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1975. This is a classic I.B. Singer tale of three children who wish to be as wise as Solomon, as learned as Moses and as beautiful and brave as Esther, but who learn that such attributes are acquired by hard work and perseverance, not by wishing. This story is for children who are older (perhaps at least 4 or 5) and the illustrations are beautiful.
Singer, Isaac Bashevis (illus. by Eric Carle), Why Noah Chose the Dove. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1973. This is the classic midrash on what virtue is the most praiseworthy. All the animals aboard the ark tell Noah why they merit being saved, and in so doing, belittle the others. Only the dove refuses to participate, modestly remaining silent. As a reward, Noah chooses the Dove to go forth as his messenger to find land after the food. It is a tale of bragging and modesty, whose message is clear to young children.
Speregen, Devra Newberger, Yoni Netanyahu: Commando at Entebbe. JPS, 1995. The biography of Yoni Netanyahu, brother of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, led "Operation Thunderbolt," the raid on Entebbe on July 4, 1976 to rescue the 105 hijacked Jewish passengers held captive in Uganda. (age 12+)
Spier, Peter, The Book of Jonah. Doubleday & Company, 1985. A true-to-the-text retelling of the story with many quotes from an English translation.
Stadler, Bea (illus. by Paul Sharon), The Adventures of Gluckel of Hameln. United Synagogue of America, 1967. (Age 11+)
Steiner, Connie Colker, On Eagles' Wings. JPS, 1987. The account of four Jewish children, from Yemen, Tunisia, Poland, and America, who make aliyah to Israel in the years following World War II.
Stern, Ellen Norman, Elie Wiesel: Witness for Life. Ktav, 1982. (Age 14+)
Strom, Yale, A Tree Still Stands: Jewish Youth in Eastern Europe Today. New York: Philomel Books, 1990. Strom traveled through Easter Europe interviewing and photographing Jewish youth at home, in synagogue and elsewhere. They discuss their lives and their sense of their Jewish identity. (8 and up)
Suhl, Yuri, The Purim Goat. New York: Four Winds Press, 1980. Yossele lives in a shtetl in Eastern Europe. He is very poor but determined to help his mother earn some money. The plot involves a goat that Yossele seeks to save from the butcher's knife. Kaethe Zemach's illustrations are lovely.
Suhl, Yuri (illus. by Margot Zemach), Simon Boom Gives a Wedding. New York: Four Winds Press, 1972. This is an amusing story about a foolish man who buys "only the best" of everything, regardless of how inappropriate or ill-fitting it is. The result of this policy is that he ends up serving only well-water at his daughter's wedding party. The pictures are lovely. [3 and up]
Suhl, Yuri, Uncle Misha's Partisans. New York: Shapolsky Publishers, 1988. An historical fictional account of the Jewish partisans of World War II. The story centers around Motele, a young boy whose family is wiped out by the Nazis and who joins a group of partisans, landing himself a very dangerous assignment. Exciting story. (age 11+)
Syme, Deborah Shayne, Partners. New York: UAHC, 1990. What does it mean to be "God's partner"? This story tells of two children who discover how they can be God's partners.
Taitz, Emily and Sondra Henry, Remarkable Jewish Women. JPS, 1996. A kaleidoscope view of prominant Jewish women throughout the ages, from Deborah and Beruriah through to the present. Arranged chronologically, and highlighting major historical periods and events. (age 12+)
Taylor, Allegra, A Kibbutz in Israel. This book describes life on an Israeli kibbutz and includes many, beautiful color photographs. Well worth reading. (Age 6-8)
Techner, David, and Judith Hirt-Manheimer. A Candle for Grandpa. New York: UAHC, 1993. Aptly subtitled "A Guide to the Jewish Funeral for children and Parents," this book explains Jewish customs pertaining to burial and shiva, and helps parents answer their children's challenging questions about God, life, and death.
Vail, John J., David Ben-Gurion. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.
Vineberg, Ethel, Grandmother Came from Dworitz: a Jewish Story. Tundra Books of Montreal, 1969. An account of Jewish life in Eastern Europe in the 19th century and the wave of emigration around the turn of the century. The author also describes the life and adjustments made by immigrants to the U.S. and Canada. (Age 9+)
Vos, Ida, Anna Is Still Here. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993. The war is over, but Anna is still haunted by the years she spent separated from her parents in hiding from the Nazis. The book deals with her readjustment after the war.
Vos, Ida, Hide and Seek. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991. Tells the story of one Jewish family under German occupation. Through the eyes of the daughter, Rachel, we see the increased restrictions placed on Jews. Finally, the family leaves their home and goes into hiding.
Weil, Lisl, Esther. New York: Atheneum, 1980. This book tells the tale of the Book of Esther. It is a simple retelling of the story and easy to follow, but beware of the illustration of Haman hanging. This may be upsetting to children.
Weilerstein, Sadie Rose, The Best of K'tonton. JPS, 1980. The title says it all, and they're still great stories after all these years.
Wiesel, Elie (illus. by Mark Podwal), King Solomon and his Magic Ring. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1999. Wiesel weaves together biblical accounts, midrash, and folklore to convey many stories about King Solomon. (Age 10+)
Wiesner, William, The Tower of Babel. New York: The Viking Press, 1968. The Torah story of the Tower of Babel is beautifully told (using both the biblical text and the rabbis' commentaries). Wiesner's illustrations are beautiful and colorful and the story teaches important lessons about communication
Whiteman, Amram, Bar Kochba. Bloch, 1986. (Age 10+)
Wiesner, William, The Tower of Babel. New York: The Viking Press, 1968. The Torah story of the Tower of Babel is beautifully told (using both the biblical text and the rabbis' commentaries). Wiesner's illustrations are beautiful and colorful and the story teaches important lessons about communication and over-weaning pride.
Wildsmith, Brian, Joseph. Michigan: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 1997. Richly detailed illustrations accompany this straight-forward rendition of the Joseph cycle of stories. The detailed depiction of Egypt tends to overwhelm the emotional and moral aspects of the story. (Age 8+)
Williams, Marcia, Jonah and the Whale. New York: Random House, 1989. A simple retelling of the story with engaging, whimsical illustrations. (age 4+)
Williams, Marcia, Joseph and his Magnificent Coat of Many Colors. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 1990. In her delightful style, which will appeal to young children, Williams tells the full cycle of Joseph stories in Genesis.
Yolen, Jane, The Devil's Arithmetic. New York: Puffin Books, 1988. Hannah is bored with the seder and doesn't see the point. When she goes to open the door for Elijah, she finds herself in the unfamiliar world of a Polish village in the 1940's, soon to be taken away to a concentration camp. Kids find this book riveting. (age 11+)
Zemach, Margot, It Could Always Be Worse. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976. A classic Jewish folktale about a rabbi who teaches a kvetch that things are not as bad as he thinks: they could always be worse. Wonderful illustrations by the author.
Zlotowitz, Bernard M., and Dina Maiben, Abraham's Great Discovery. New York: NightinGale Resources, 1991. Retelling of the every-popular midrashim about Abraham's childhood and discovery of the one God.
Zusman, Evelyn, The Passover Parrot. Maryland: Kar-Ben Copies, 1983. Leba's parrot was the only one who was willing to listen to her learn the Four Questions. But when Passover arrives, the parrot participates in the seder a little more than anyone wants: he stills the afikomen. Leba has a clever plan to retrieve the afikomen.
Zwerin, Raymond A. and Audrey Friedman Marcus (illus. by Marlene Lobell Ruthen), A Purim Album. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981. This is a wonderful book which not only tells children the story of Purim, but teaches them the moral lessons of the tale on their own level. The format of the book is a "photo album" of children performing a Purim play. As the narrator tells the story, she relates various characters and their attitudes and dilemmas to experiences in her own life. The illustrations are not especially exciting, but at least they are in color. It's too bad the authors did not use actual photographs of children acting out the Purim story. [2 and up]
Zwerin, Raymond A., and Audrey Friedman Marcus, Like a Maccabee. New York: UAHC, 1991. This book invites children to imagine themselves among the band of Jews who revolting against King Antiochus in the 2nd century BCE., and to emulate the values learned from our history.
Zwerin, Raymond A. and Audrey Friedman Marcus (illus. by Yuri Salzman), Shabbat Can Be. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1979. This is one of the loveliest children's books around. It discusses Shabbat as a day of possibilities for physical and spiritual renewal and fulfillment. It does not dictate rituals but rather presents possibilities. It touches on all the central Jewish themes: family, prayer, rest, music as well as the belief that Shabbat is a "taste of the world-to-come." This book allows for each family's personal observance of Shabbat. It validates everyone and opens the door to greater observance of Shabbat without limiting that observance to rituals. [2 and up]