(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kristina Swarner. A Jewish grandfather shares with his grandchild a story about tikkun olam ("repair the world"). Ships carrying light sailed into the sky, broke up, and scattered sparks everywhere creating stars, but leaving many sparks to be gathered; humans were created to do good deeds that help reunite the sparks. The poetic text and light-filled illustrations dominated by blues reflect the story's calming atmosphere.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by E. M. Gist. This collection of twenty-two short stories, mostly from Europe and Asia, offers a wide variety of chills and thrills for middle-grade readers. Most of the tales end with a scary, and occasionally surprising, twist, but there's nothing that's too upsetting. Black-and-white illustrations in many of the stories enhance their spookiness. Sources are included.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Monique Passicot. This engaging collection moves through the Jewish calendar to encompass twelve holidays. Schwartz follows these brief, clear, and simply told tales with rich and highly readable notes about the history of the holiday, the importance of the rabbi, and the sources of the story. Stylized eastern European folk illustrations capture the miraculous spirit of the stories. Glos.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2000

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Iofin. Despite the narrow margins and the illustrations that tightly hug the gutter, this collection of fifteen stories is a well-documented contribution to the storyteller's repertoire. Hansel and Gretel appear as Rachel and Reuben in a story about bravery and pride, and children will likely recognize "The Fisherman and His Wife" in "The Fisherman and the Silver Fish," a story about Moses.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1999