(4) PS Illustrated by Amy Wummer. In first-person rhyming text, a yarmulke-wearing boy identifies various emotions and how he responds to them, with an emphasis on his relationship with Hashem (God). Cartoonish illustrations on laminated paper accompany the didactic text. A feelings chart and a note to adults further the book's purpose of helping children process emotions. Glos.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jacky Yahri. When the Nazis invade Hungary, six-year-old Tuky and her little brother and cousin are sent to the country and given new, non-Jewish names; betrayed by a neighbor, they end up in a detention center. The story, based on Rosenfeld's mother, ends happily. This Holocaust book's blend of young-reader accessibility and heavy content can be awkward (especially in the illustrations). Glos.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Didactic text highlights how, when he was little, Benny's parents encouraged him to do good deeds by giving him illustrated "mitzvah notes" recognizing his religious observance and kind behaviors. Benny wasn't perfect (a couple of tiffs are pictured), but he always tried "to fix things up." The intended audience is clearly (probably only) observant Jewish families. Sunny, retro illustrations underscore the book's message. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Patti Argoff. These two lift-the-flap books are basic, acceptable introductions to Chanukah and Purim for more observant families. Readers are asked in rhyming couplets to identify figures and holiday trappings; answers, many in Hebrew terms, are under the flap. Purim mitvos and Chanukah activity ideas conclude the books. The cartoon-style illustrations are amiable (perhaps overly) but uninteresting. Glos. Review covers these titles: Chanukah Guess Who? and Purim Guess Who?.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Erin Taylor. Leah worries that she won't braid challah correctly, but her imaginatively shaped bread ends up looking just fine. Though the slight, quickly resolved conflict isn't all that satisfying, the Hebrew terms and Leah's (all-girl) Orthodox class will appeal to those already familiar with Jewish rituals. Illustrations render impressive braids, while the perky characters resemble dolls.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Patti Argoff. These two lift-the-flap books are basic, acceptable introductions to Chanukah and Purim for more observant families. Readers are asked in rhyming couplets to identify figures and holiday trappings; answers, many in Hebrew terms, are under the flap. Purim mitvos and Chanukah activity ideas conclude the books. The cartoon-style illustrations are amiable (perhaps overly) but uninteresting. Glos. Review covers these titles: Chanukah Guess Who? and Purim Guess Who?.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) PS Illustrated by Marc Lumer. An observant Jewish boy's friend, Tzvi, assures him that "Hashem [God] is here, Hashem is there, Hashem is truly everywhere"--in the sky, in the sea, even in outer space. There's no story here and the text lacks imagination, but the wannabe-Seussian rhyming couplets have a jaunty rhythm. Expansive cartoonish (somewhat garish) watercolor and pencil illustrations reinforce the book's message.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) PS An observant Jewish family visits a farm. There the children meet a farmer and marvel at God's creations. The story is written entirely in rhyming couplets, which range from mildly clever to forced. Some of the pages are just about the farm, while others have religious content. The illustrations, though stiff, are somewhat inviting. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Phyllis Saroff. In honor of Tu B'Shvat, the "New Year for Trees," a young boy wishes his favorite crabapple a year of sun, rain, birds, blossoms, and the strength to endure storms: "May you stand, firm and straight, for years to come." The realistic illustrations are better at depicting nature than people. An explanation of the holiday closes the book. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Avi Katz. Two children visit Israel's Kosel HaMaarovi (Western Wall). Earnest text and sketchlike illustrations capture the experience of being at the site (though only one illustration makes it clear that men and women are separated at the Wall). Although there is a short glossary on the copyright page, other Hebrew terms are not explained.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chava. Shavuos marks the receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai. A girl buys flowers for the occasion, then invites various people to share her bouquet and the holiday celebration with her family. Cheerful but stiff illustrations showing perpetually smiling people enliven the generally bland but also informative text. Further explanation about the holiday is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Schiffman. In old Baghdad, Miriam and Schlomo are sad because they don't have a guest for Shabbat. When an old stranger arrives, they welcome him into their home for the sabbath meal. Although the couple never finds out, the man is the prophet Elijah in disguise, and he blesses them with a baby boy. The colorful framed paintings add playfulness to the tale.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Vitaliy Romanenko. Mindy shares her challah-baking preparations, beginning with a call to Bubby and ending with serving her challahs for a traditional Shabbat meal. The forced poetic style and fairly dull illustrations detract from an otherwise entertaining story. A challah recipe is included. Glos.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Simple rhyming couplets describe an Orthodox Jewish child's visit to the doctor for a sore throat. Alongside the down-to-earth replication of a common experience, the text reinforces that Hashem, or God, is the source of all life and health. Naive but pleasantly executed illustrations suit the tone.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) PS Illustrated by Fayge Devorah Blau & Fayge Devorah Blau. Dovid can't sleep. Is he thirsty? Bothered by household noises? No, he's just lonely. When his mother assures him that Hashem, God, is always by his side, Dovid rests peacefully. Though the story and illustrations are somewhat awkward, both convey a feeling of warmth, and the setting evident in text and art will be appreciated by observant Jewish families.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Shoshana Mekibel. In a tale adapted from the Hebrew Midrash, a poor man and his wife are blessed with six years of wealth. They use the money to help others and extend the "thread of kindness" on through the generations. The story is well told, and, though awkwardly rendered in some places, the soft watercolors offer a picture of life for this Jewish family. This story will play well with religion classes and could be successfully shared with a wider audience. Glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Kranz. Although the furniture, books, pots and pans, and toys are unpacked, young Rivkie knows something is still missing. She and her family go room by room, unpacking the Jewish religious objects, from the Shabbos candlesticks to the mezuzahs. For observant Jewish families this picture book story of adjusting to a new house will strike a chord. The muted color illustrations are adequate. Glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Pesach Gerber. As the last night of Chanukah draws to a close, Oma once again tells her grandchildren the story of the treasured little menorah, "the Children's Menorah," miraculously created out of self-sacrifice by the women in a Nazi concentration camp. Softly colored illustrations depict the joyful contemporary Chanukah celebration, while muted browns and grays dominate the camp scenes in this respectful and dramatic narrative.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 1999