Jewish Children's & Young Adult Books

MENORAH MOOSE BOOKPLATES (Sample available)
art by unknown artist. Condition: NEW package of 10 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. We can also personalize the bookplates if you like - email us with your name preference. 3.75 W x 4.0 H. Content: Adorable children's bookplate starring the Menorah Moose with his antlers holding the Hanukkah candles. Too cute. Any questions or to request a sample, click here to email us.
$ 3.59 + $ 2.75 first class shipping. International shipping available - please use the drop-down menu.

ANNE FRANK REMEMBERED: The Story of the Woman Who Helped To Hide The Frank Family
by Miep Gies and Alison Leslie Gold. B&W photo section. Condition: NEW 2009 Simon & Schuster (UK) Trade Paperback, first printing. Content: This memoir reveals the writer to be a woman of great courage, who determinedly pursued a course of action founded upon deep humanitarian convictions despite great personal danger. Gies was the trusted employee to whom Otto Frank turned when his family was forced into hiding in their attempt to escape deportation and death. Teenagers who have read Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl (Doubleday, 1967) will surely want to read about Gies' adventures in secretly obtaining provisions for eight people for two years. The characterizations of the Frank family, particularly Anne, with whom Gies had a special friendship, are perceptive. Gies describes the day the Franks were captured, following their betrayal by persons still unknown. These vignettes and the description of what was happening in Amsterdam provide insight into how the Nazi occupation affected the lives of innocent people, and into the heroism of a remarkable woman, Miep Gies. [1 copy available]
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BENI'S FIRST WEDDING
text and color illustrations by Jane Breskin Zalben. Condition: NEW 1998 Henry Holt hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Beni is excited to be the ring bearer at his Uncle Izzy's traditional Jewish wedding, but when he trips and loses the ring, he finds a way to make the ceremony even better. Watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations accompany the text, which includes a recipe for Honey Wedding Cake. An appendix explains traditional wedding customs for a variety of religions including Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism. [1 copy available]
$ 4.25 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BAR MITZVAH
by David Mamet. Color illustrations by Donald Sultan. Condition: NEW 1999 Little, Brown hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), stated first edition. Tiny edgewear to DJ top edge. Content: On the eve of his Bar Mitzvah, a boy learns about life from an old man in whose hands an antique watch reveals clues to mans relation to God. This brief tale, written with the familiar cadences of the best Mamet dialogue, moves in a mysterious journey from the intricacies of watchmaking to the horrors of Europe in the Holocaust, as the old man shares his understanding of lifes struggles and what it means to him to be a good Jew. Sultans striking images provide a counterpoint to Mamets story as gilded clocks and elaborate timepieces yield to blank watch faces, barbed wire, empty windows, and stark architectural renderings. A wonderful gift idea. [1 copy available]
$ 6.25 + $ 3.79 media shipping.

BLESSED ARE YOU: Tradiitonal Everyday Hebew Prayers
by Michelle Edwards. Cute colorful illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1994 Lothrop, Lee hardcover (pictorial boards - NO DJ!), first printing. Content: Thirteen brief prayers in Edwards's translations, which she uses with her own children, plus the original Hebrew and a transliteration, all appearing on versos elaborately bordered with a vine-like motif that echoes the Hebrew script and also incorporates appropriate symbols--e.g., for the prayer beginning, ``God, grant us peace and goodness,'' Edwards includes a dove, a rainbow, and a menorah. Rectos display full-bleed mixed-media art depicting a family of three children engaged in everyday activities that might occasion the prayers--eating, celebrating together, playing with their parents, looking at the night sky. These vigorously limned, unabashedly homely kids might be cousins of the ones in Edwards's Alef-bet (1992); again, the bright, harmonious colors and the warmth and energy of the design bespeak a productive, loving, and devout family. [1 copy available]
$ 15.25 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE BOOK OF CREATION
by Georges Lemoine. Lovely soft color illustrations by Pierre-Marie Beaude. Condition: Gently prread, IF at all, 1992 Picture Book Studio hardcover (pictorial boards), first thus, first printing. The book has been perused on the shelf and it appears the first 8 pages may have been read. DJ shows light edge wear with a small "repaired" tear to the bottom back flap corner. Content: In the desert of the Holy Land, 2500 years ago, a father begins to tell his preadolescent son "what happened on the first morning of the world." His account focuses on the content and the context of creation, and on its timeless significance, rather than echoing the words of the Bible. Certain themes--like human stewardship of the earth--speak especially to us, but seem also to belong to a subsistence culture of desert nomads. Lemoine's watercolors--pure, linear, minimal, but with touches of expressionistic color--also combine the "primitive" and the contemporary. The text depends on Genesis A, omitting the B version's Eden, serpent, sin, and expulsion. Its sole borrowing from B is the creation of woman from man's rib instead of her co-creation, from clay, with man, and some readers may not feel that B's version "means that woman is the equal of man." The author has gracefully incorporated some ideas from midrashic commentaries, and the expanded story is fresh and at times poetic. It is also rather long, with a sophisticated vocabulary and concepts. Ages 10+. Excellent for Sunday School teachers. [1 copy available]
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CELEBRATING PASSOVER
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith. Color photos by Lawrence Migdale. Color illustrations by Emanuel Schongut. Condition: NEW 2000 Holiday House hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), no printing given. Content: Hoyt-Goldsmith and Migdale detail a Reform Jewish celebration of Passover. Hoyt-Goldsmith focuses on nine-year-old Micah Kamrass, explaining how he and his extended family prepare for and celebrate the week-long holiday. She recounts the festival's origins nearly 3,000 years ago, describes some of the special foods that are served, and explains the components and proscribed order of a seder, the ceremonial meal held during the first two nights of the festival. Illustrated sidebars depict the ancient story, and Lawrence Migdale's crisp, color photographs show the members of the Kamrass family and their activities, with captions clarifying such customs as the search for the afikomen (hidden matzoh). Festivities in Orthodox and Conservative Jewish households may vary. An attractive and useful choice for the holiday shelf; recipes, songs, and a glossary are a bonus. [1 copy available]
$ 4.59 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE CHANUKKAH GUEST
by Eric Kimmel. Adorable color illustratins by Giora Carmi. Condition: NEW 1988 Scholastic soft cover, third printing. Content: Old Bubba Brayna, 97, still makes the best potato latkes in the village. So each year at Chanukkah, her friends and the rabbi come through the snow to share her cooking and hospitality. The first to arrive this year, however, is a grumpy old bear aroused from his cave by the delicious smells of cooking. The nearly blind Bubba mistakes him for the rabbi, welcomes him in and lets him keep his fur coat on against the chill. She carries on with enough chatter for two as the bear growls through the blessing, eats a huge platter of latkes, and bestows a lick on Old Bubba in thanks. When the rabbi and the villagers arrive, they and Bubba figure out who she has been entertaining, have a good laugh, and retire to the kitchen where Bubba begins to cook all over again. Brown and rose tones predominate in Carmi's woodland and interiors. While the blocky and long-nosed people are unattractively rendered, their love of Bubba is clear. Children will enjoy this silly story of mistaken identity, and the dialogue Bubba keeps up with the bear will have them giggling happily. [1 copy available]
$ 2.29 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

CRAFTS FOR HANUKKAH
by Kathy Ross. Color illustrations by Sharon Lane Holm. Condition: UNREAD 1996 Scholastic soft cover, first printing. Tiny shelf wear. Content: This book offers twenty simple crafts specially designed for young children. There are games to play and gifts to give, and even a special Hanukkah book in which to store all your favorite memories. Colorful step-by-step illustrations. [1 copy available]
$ 2.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE DAY THE RABBI DISAPPEARED: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic
retold by Howard Schwartz. Soft B&W illustrations and DJ art by Monique Passicot. Condition: NEW 2000 Viking hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Noted storyteller Schwartz (Next Year in Jerusalem) outdoes himself in this expertly presented and well-conceived collection. Each of the dozen tales takes place during a different Jewish holiday, from Rosh Hashanah and Lag ba-Omer to the major festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) and the Sabbath, and each reveals different facets of Jewish history and culture. To an already rich mixture, Schwartz brings extra luster with an element virtually guaranteed to hook young readers: magic. In an Afghan tale for Yom Kippur, a man stumbles upon a cottage filled with blazing oil candles, each representing a person's soul and its presence in the world. Some have plenty of oil, some are nearly emptyDthe man's own candle seems about to burn out and, since the keeper of the candles is not looking, what if he takes some oil from another candle? The supplementary material included with each story proves nearly as gripping. For that Yom Kippur story, for example, Schwartz follows up with a concise description of the holiday and succinct discussions of the story's specific biblical roots, the possible identity of the keeper of the candles, the theme of divine tests (e.g., the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden) and the Jewish idea of justice. Debut illustrator Passicot contributes dreamlike compositions in black and white. The play between light and dark in her subtle shading beautifully expresses the tales' mystical dimensions. Ages 8-up. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS [2-Disc Special Editon DVD]
by Aam Sandler & Columbia Pictures. Condition: NEW (shrink-wrapped) 2003 2-disc Columbia Pictures DVD. 1.5 hours approx. Content: Once a happy boy, but now the town delinquent, Davey (voiced by Sandler) is given one last chance to redeem himself with his community and discover the true meaning of the holiday season. Voices of Adam Sandler along with Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider and Jon Lovitz. VHS and DVD features the short film with Adam Sandler’s Dog "A Day with Meatball" and many Adam Sandler songs! [1 copy available]
$ 4.99 + $ 3.09 first class shipping.

FOUR SIDES, EIGHT NIGHTS: A New Spin on Hanukkah
by Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi. Great B&W illustrations and DJ cover by Susanna Natti. Condition: NEW 2005 Roaring Brook hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Here's a surprise: there's more to know about dreidels than the meaning of Hebrew letters on their sides. The tops take center stage in this book, which begins with a concise review of the holiday and the role of dreidels. Tidbits follow: what tops are made from, how the game is played, the science of spinning, and more. Sandwiched between are stories of two heroines recognized during Hanukkah (Judith, who saved her people by severing Holophernes' head, and Hannah, who stripped naked to make a political point). It's good (and unusual) to see women getting attention in a Hanukkah book, but the tales are an odd fit given the focus on dreidels. A chapter on holiday food is also problematic: the suggestions for updating traditional potato pancakes sound intriguing (crushed pineapple, peanut butter), but without proportions (or even a basic latke recipe) to refer to, they aren't practical. A scattering of thumbnail facts and cartoon sketches liven up the book. [1 copy available]
$ 3.39 + $ 3.09 first class shipping.

THE FOUR QUESTIONS
by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Beautiful, detailed, ornate color illustrations by Ori Sherman. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1994 Puffin soft cover, 5th printing. Light edge wear with edge wear to cover corners. Interior clean & tight. Content: Why is this book different from all other books? It is an elegant, accessible retelling of the Four Questions asked at a Passover Seder. Sherman's glorious jewel-toned paintings are patterned and richly detailed, with a curious menagerie of animals, wearing yarmulkes and some clothing, acting out the symbols of the holiday. Each of the Four Questions is asked in English; turn the book upside down, and the question appears in Hebrew calligraphy. The facing picture is split, with images facing each direction as well. This technique enables the book to be used during the Seder: those on each side of the table can see what is going on. The story itself is exciting and timely, telling of the slavery of the Jews, the ten plagues, the exodus from Egypt, and the hope for freedom throughout the world. The book explains the history and the symbolism of the holiday and the items on a Seder plate. The final spread shows the order of the Seder. The pictures are exquisite, the telling lyrical. This is the most eye-catching, most refreshing book available for young children on this holiday. I love this book - edge wear and all. [1 copy available]
$ 3.29 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE FRIDAY NIGHTS OF NANA
by Amy Hest. Lovely color illustrations by Claire Nivola. Condition: NEW 2001 Candlewick hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), second printing. Content: This nostalgic look at the Jewish holiday of Shabbat, although somewhat message driven, is mostly successful. Young Jennie describes her day with Nana as they prepare for the evening. They bake, cook, shop, and spend time together. Finally, all is ready, the family arrives, the candles are lit, and they celebrate the Sabbath. The story is slight, but Hest captures the child's voice and the little details that a youngster notices, as well as the impatience to do the things she most enjoys. The delicate watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations marry well with the text, and Nivola's use of vibrant blues and purples serves to accentuate specific details and descriptions. The artwork's homey, old-fashioned feel fits perfectly with the tone of the story. The family is clearly Orthodox, but the sentiment speaks to anyone looking for a story that re-creates the ambience of this family-oriented observance. One of the better books on this largely overlooked topic. [1 copy available]
$ 5.29 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE GOLEM: A Version
by Barbara Rogasky. Cover art and color illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. Condition: NEW 1996 Holiday House hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: According to legend, some four centuries or so ago a Rabbi in Prague dreamt that the Lord commanded him to create a creature to protect Jews from those who would do them wrong. The Rabbi fashioned a giant from clay and, with the help of a cabalistic spell, brought the creature to life. The story, of course, served as the basis for Frankenstein Another great book in which The Golem comes alive is Snow In August.. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 2.49 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE GREAT HANUKKAH PARTY (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
by Suzy-Jane Tanner. Color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 1998 HarperFestival softcover, first thus, first printing. Content: It's the first night of Hanukkah--time to light the menorah and celebrate! But where are the candles? Join in the search for the missing candles and discover all sorts of Hanukkah surprises in this lift-the-flap adventure. Too cute!
$ 3.25 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

HAD GADYA: A Passover Song
paintings by Seymour Chwast. AFterword by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld. Condition: NEW 2005 Roaring Brook hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: With an exuberant traditional shtetl setting showing two children and their family preparing for the Passover seder, Chwast illustrates the folksong that ends the celebration feast. As in much folklore, the drama is violent: the goat is killed by the cat that is bitten by the dog, and so on, until God finally destroys the Angel of Death. In a final note, a rabbi discusses differing interpretations of the song; some commentators accept it as light and fun, while others object to the cycle of horror it portrays or consider it a representation of the Jewish people's triumph over their enemies. The bright, acrylic folk-art paintings express the rhythm of the chant, as the goat and then the other characters are gathered, in appropriately cumulative fashion, across the top of the double-page spreads. The book, complete with musical notation and Hebrew and English words, is bound to add to the pleasure of the seder even as it provokes some lively arguments. (Grades K to 3). [2 copies available.]
$ 4.19 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

HAD GADYA: The Only Kid (Fascimile of El Lissitzky's Edition of 1919)
by El Lissitzky. Edited by Arnold J. Band. Intro by Nancy Perloff. Color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2004 Getty very large soft cover, first printing. Content: This illustrated version of the popular Passover song "Had gadya" was the wonderfully playful offspring of the avant-garde artist El Lissitzky (1890-1941). It dates to a little-known period early in his career when he immersed himself in the Jewish cultural renaissance that flourished in Russia from roughly 1912 to the early 1920s. Signed with his Hebrew given name, this volume-with its wraparound cover, colorful lithographic montages, and stylized use of Yiddish and Aramaic words-celebrates Lissitzky's interest in Jewish folk traditions while looking forward to the dynamic graphic and typographic designs for which he is best remembered. This near-scale facsimile-including the rarely seen cover-allows readers to experience Lissitzky's Had gadya as originally envisioned. It is accompanied here by Nancy Perloff's discussion of the work's cultural and artistic contexts, Arnold J. Band's English translation of Lissitzky's Yiddish version of the song, sections on Lissitzky's iconography and vocabulary, and lyrics set to music. [1 copy available.]
$ 6.19 + $ 3.39 media shipping. International shipping available by arragement - please email us.

HANUKKAH: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish
by Emily Sper. Vibrant color illustrations.. Condition: NEW 2003 Scholastic Cartwheel Trade Paperback, first edition, first printing. Content: The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. With every page, another die-cut menorah candle appears, as well as the spelling and pronunciation of the ascending numbers in each language. On the opposite page of each two-page spread, symbols of Hanukkah are featured against bold, colorful backdrops: "one Hanukkah menorah," "four dreidels," "seven potato pancakes," etc., along with the Hebrew and Yiddish terms. Author Emily Sper shares her childhood memories of lighting the Hanukkah menorah, and a brief, age-appropriate story explains the symbols and meanings behind the holiday. This is a book best read together with a loving grownup who can elaborate on the rituals and stories of the Festival of Lights. (Ages 3 to 7). [2 copies available.]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

HANUKKAH AT VALLEY FORGE (Sidney Taylor Winner)
by Stephen Krensky. Excellent color illustrations by Greg Harlin. Condition: NEW 2006 Dutton soft cover, first printing. Content: Reviewer: "Based on some historical evidence, this inspiring story relates how, in the middle of winter at Valley Forge, General George Washington meets a Jewish soldier; an immigrant from Poland who is celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. As the soldier retells the Hanukkah story to the general, Washington's faith is renewed, and he begins to believe in the possibility that his ragtag army can also win against a larger foe. He says to the soldier, "We too have a cruel enemy who leaves us only with the choice of brave resistance or abject submission." Greg Harlin's beautiful watercolor illustrations bring this poignant tale to life. Children will be proud to know that a chance encounter with a Jewish soldier may have given General Washington the courage to continue the battle for independence of the United States." For ages 7 - 10+. [1 copy available.]
$ 7.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE HANUKKAH MICE
Words by Ronne Randall. Pictures by Maggie Kneen. Warm & appropriate full-color illustrations - with sparkles! Condition: NEW 2002 Chronicle Books (Templar Company) hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued). First edition, first printing. Perfect book. Content: Join the Mouse family as they set out to find the miraculous Hanukkah lights. With each passing night, the Mouse children discover shimmering chocolate coins, sparkling dreidels and delicious donuts, fancy gifts and other Hanukkah traditions (under flaps hiding shiny foil surprises), but it isn't until the last night that they glimpse the beautiful menorah with all eight candles illuminated. Fun and education and very respectful of Hanukkah's religous tradition. Highly recommended for very young children. Too cute! [1 copy available]
$ 4.79 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

HANUKKAH, SHMANUKKAH!
by Esme Raji Codell. Color illustrations by LeUyen Pham. Condition: NEW 2005 Hyperian Books for Children large hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: This is such a fun & clever book - making Dicken's "Christmas Carol" into a "Yiddish Christmas Carol" for Hanukkah. "In this picture book for older children, Codell retells Dickens' A Christmas Carol, replacing Yule customs with those of the Festival of Lights. Old Scroogemacher, the owner of an early-twentieth-century New York City garment shop, mistreats his immigrant workers and reduces their wages at the slightest offence. The Rabbi of Hanukkah Past helps Scroogemacher to recall the origins of the holiday, the Rabbi of Hanukkah Present takes him on a tour of the crowded tenements where his employees live, and the Rabbi of Hanukkah Future informs her charge about current labor practices, offering Scroogemacher two possible scenarios for his nephew Moshe's future. Codell sprinkles her telling with a generous helping of Yiddish phrases, clarified in a glossary, and humorous asides designed for modern audiences: when Scroogemacher comments about the ubiquitousness of Christmas, the rabbi replies, "What can I say? They have good decorations." Pham's luminous artwork exhibits an Old World style suitable to the setting. Appended with source notes from the author and illustrator, this will find a niche as a family read-aloud (Ages 3 to 7). [3 copies available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE HARMONICA
by Tony Johnsontl. Color illustrations by Ron Mazellan. Condition: NEW 2004 Charlesbridge hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Tiny edge wear to top spine of DJ. Content: Based on a true survivor story, this powerful picture book is yet another astonishing Holocaust account for discussion. A Polish Jewish child, blissfully happy with his loving parents, gets a harmonica from his coal-miner father and learns to play Schubert while his parents dance. The realistic mixed-media, double-page illustrations contrast that glowing warmth of home with the darkness that comes when Nazi soldiers break down the door, separate the boy from his family, and send him to the camps. His harmonica becomes his solace. The commandant hears about the child's playing. He orders the boy to play Schubert and throws him bread. In the end, however, the music does nothing to humanize the brutal Nazis. In fact, one unforgettable picture shows the commandant blissfully listening to the music, one hand over his heart and the other holding a whip. The home memories are idyllic, but there's absolutely no sentimentality about the child's survival. Johnston gives children and grown-ups lots to talk about here--for example, Can a person be both sensitive and cruel? The mixed-media illustrations change from a warm to cold palette to underscore the move from home to camp. While the story is set in World War II, the theme is broader, and makes a case for the power of music/art to support and sustain humanity. There is an appended note about the life of Henryk Rosmaryn. (Ages 3 to 7). [1 copy available]
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INVISIBLE KINGDOMS: Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits, and DemonS
retold by Howard Schwartz. Illustrated in color by Stephen Fieser. Condition: NEW 2002 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket). First Edition, First Printing. Content: Schwartz continues to explore mystical elements of Jewish folklore with nine tales from various regions and periods. his collection of nine folktales from many sources reflects the tone and quality of the genre quite effectively. The writing is lovely and fluid, with enough formality to capture the traditional style while still being accessible to young readers. Engaging and interesting, the pieces are not overly religious, and they have appeal for readers of many different faiths. Fieser's occasional full-page, full-color scenes are for the most part realistic and enhance the text.
$ 5.59 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

IT'S A MIRACLE!: A HANUKKAH STORYBOOK
by Stephanie Spinner. Wonderful color illustrations by Jill McElmurry. Condition: NEW 2007 Aladdin large soft cover, no printing given. First paperback edition. Content: Miracles (big and small) and family stories are celebrated in this charming tale. Owen Block, aged six and a half, has just been named O.C.L.-Official Candle Lighter. Each night, as he performs his duty, he listens to Grandma Karen's cozy stories of family life. One tale is of a soldier from Iowa whose search for a miracle to save his dying wife leads him to call every Jewish name in his hometown phone book (all five of them) to ask the family to pray, with happy results. The holiday acts more as framework for these small vignettes than as the main event, but various traditional activities are explored. A brief retelling of the Hanukkah legend and blessings in Hebrew, English, and transliteration appear at the end of the book. McElmurry's gouache illustrations add a light, humorous touch. Adults will appreciate the lessons gracefully imparted, and children will enjoy the silliness of Grandma's fanciful, zany family stories. Readers will recall this title long after the holiday has passed. Grades 2 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

JODIE'S FIRST DIG
by Anna Levine. Color illustrations by Ksenia Topaz. Condition: NEW 2009 PJ Library/Kar-Ben soft cover, first printing. Content: This is the story of a young wuld-be archaeologist (Jodie) who's archaeologist father has been invited to view the progress of an on-going dig outside of Jerusalem. The dig site is supposedly the site where Judah Maccabee fought against the Syrians. Can a young girl help out on her first dig? Of course she can - and does! Ages 5 - 9. [1 copy available.]
$ 4.89 + $ 3.19 media shipping..

KINGS AND QUEENS OF THE BIBLE
by Mary Hoffman. Bright color illustrations by Christina Balit. Condition: NEW 2008 Henry Holt hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Seven Old Testament tales featuring kings and queens are retold here, representing the cruel (such as Pharaoh and Jezebel) and the kind (such as Solomon and Esther). While the plotlines have been simplified and the telling is clear, some familiarity with the original stories will aid understanding. Readers will be reminded that the Bible can be filled with romance, violence, and death. The offerings do not combine into a single coherent narrative, but do evoke common themes of wealth, wisdom, prophecy, and power. An introduction provides a contextual overview, and endnotes refer to the biblical sources for each selection. The author describes the tales as coming from the "Old Testament," rather than the "Hebrew Bible," revealing a Christian point of view. The flowing, jewel-toned, stylized illustrations appear to support a Eurocentric perspective: each beautiful picture depicts the Middle Eastern and African characters with pale skin and blue-green eyes. This quibble aside, the illustrations do succeed in creating a fairy-tale atmosphere that supports the text's focus on royalty. This is an attractive volume. However, it should be noted that while "adult" material has been expunged from the stories, the violence remains. If, for example, Queen Jezebel being eaten by dogs will upset your young readers, use with caution. [1 copy available]
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LATKES, LATKES GOOD TO EAT: A Chanukah Story
by Naomi Howland. Wonderful, warm color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2000 Clarion soft cover, no printing given. Tiny edge wer with a pale shelf wear "near-crease" back cover. Interior perfect. Content: Sadie and her four little brothers are very poor and always hungry. On the first night of Chanukah, Sadie performs a generous act, and in turn receives a frying pan that cooks up sizzling hot, golden latkes on command. Sadie tells her brothers never to use the magic pan, but when she goes out one afternoon, the mischievous boys can't resist. They remember the words to start the pan cooking . . . but what were the words to make it stop? This humorous tale of generosity and greed is accompanied by bright, cheerful illustrations depicting a traditional Russian village. An author's note and a recipe for Sadie's latkes are included. K-up. [1 copy available.]
$ 3.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping..

THE LEGEND OF FREEDOM HILL
by Linda Jacobs Altman. Warm, strong color illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu. Condition: NEW 2000 Lee & Low soft cover, second printing. Content: Best friends Rosabel and Sophia are outsiders in gold rush California. Rosabel has freedom papers, but she's the daughter of a runaway slave; Sophia belongs to the only Jewish family in town. When a slave catcher seizes Rosabel's mother, "Miz Violet," the two resourceful girls pan for gold, finally discover it in a cave, and use their claim to buy the freedom of Miz Violet and four other slaves. The informal tone and colloquial language establish a distinctive storyteller's voice. Cultural and historical facts are smoothly integrated into the story, but the focus is squarely on the friendship. Dappled watercolor illustrations provide interesting period details. Dramatic postures and vivid facial expressions reflect and embellish the narrative. Children will identify with the spunky, resourceful girls and enjoy the expeditious resolution. With multicultural and historical themes, this original "legend" will enhance social studies curricula. Ages 5 - 10. [1 copy available.]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping..

THE LITTLE OLD MAN AND HIS DREAMS
by Lillian Ross. Beautiful paintings by Deborah Healy. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1990 Harper & Row hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket(, first printing. DJ shows light shelf wear. Interior perfect. Content: Little Old Man journeys to the other side of the mountain to see his beloved granddaughter Shoshanna wed on the first night of Chanukah. On his way, he faces storms, the theft of all but one pearl from his precious wedding gift, an accident, and illness. As he hovers near death, the King comes to him in a dream, promising that Little Old Man will be at the wedding. And he is, dancing with his beautiful granddaughter, named for his beloved wife. All promises kept, Little Old Man goes happily with the King to his death. This sentimental Old World tale is strikingly illustrated with full-color paintings showing a setting of long ago in East Europe or Russia. A full page of text is balanced by each painting in which a border sets the mood and an inset illustrates the plot. The motif of pearls blends with similar dots of light, snow, or stars to provide a unifying visual theme. A satisfying original tale told in the spirit of folklore. K-4. Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 5.78 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MINNIE
by Jan Siegel Hart. B&W illustrations by J. Kay Wilson. Condition: UNREAD 1997 Hart Publishing (Temple, TX) hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), stated first edition - but there was an earlier publication by Eakin.. Only problem: name stamped inside front cover - but never even read. Too bad. Content: Growing up in the only Jewish home in the small town of Dublin, Texas was the esperience of Minnie - and her daughter, the author Jan Siegel Hart. Minnie's parents left Russia and came to Texas in the early 1900's to enjoy religious freedom. As a young girl Minnie is learning the traditions of her ancestors while striving to do as well as her older brother and sisters. (The story of Minnie's mother is chronicled in Hann, the Immigrant.)
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THE MIRACLE OF HANUKKAH
by Seymour Chwast. Color illustrations. Decorated end pages. Condition: NEW 2006 Blue Apple hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: In the year 165 B.C.E., Mattathias and the Maccabees defeated the Syrians and reclaimed their Great Temple in Jerusalem. Though they planned an eight-day celebration to rededicate the Temple, they had lamp oil for only one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. Every year Jews around the world celebrate this miracle at Hanukkah. Now internationally acclaimed artist and graphic designer Seymour Chwast retells the story of Hanukkah in an innovative format in which pages gradually increase in size. This Hanukkah book is sure to become a family favorite. Reviewer: In one section, "each page cleverly increases in size in this handsomely designed picture book, as the author-illustrator tells the story of Hanukkah, stating the facts about the holiday in a clear way that young children can understand. His text and illustrations show them the miracle of how the oil lasted eight days instead of one when the Jews rededicated the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem, after the small band of brave Maccabees were miraculously victorious over Antiochus's large army. Chwast's graphic design background is evident in his stylized illustrations, the cleverly done step-page format, and his lively end papers of multiple dreidels in colorful pastels. These all combine to make this an excellent choice for teachers and parents to read to young children to teach them about Hanukkah." Ages 4+. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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MIRACLES OF THE BIBLE
by Josh Hanft. Clever color illustrations by Seymour Chwast. Condition: NEW 2007 Blue Apple hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: The very simple texts of the miracles selected (Creation, Birth of Adam, Noah's Ark, Sarah and Abraham, Parting of the Red Sea, Manna from Heaven, Moses on Mount Sinai, Balaam and the Donkey, The Walls of Jericho, Samson, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Fish, Daniel in the Lions' Den) are geared to younger children. They are representative of the better known bible stories. Each story uses brief excerpts from the bible to give authenticity to the stories selected. The brightly colored illustrations, by Seymour Chwast, are simple and cheerful enough to appeal to the intended audience, without being menacing. They have a cartoon quality. The many animals are all cheerful, and usually smiling, as are many of the humans, depending on the text. Illustrations are enlarged to 2, 3 or 4 pages to show the importance of the various characters. The text by Hanft and the illustrations by Chwast are well suited to the intended audience. Seven year olds will be able to read it themselves. Younger children will enjoy having it read to them as they enjoy the illustrations. The book is a welcome introduction to some very serious information. Ages 4 - 8. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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MIRIAM'S CUP: A Passover Story
by Fran Manushkin. Beautiful, dreamy color illustrations by Bob Dacey. Condition: UNREAD 2003 Scholastic large hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), third printing. Content: In a feminist variation on the many stories told about Passover, Miriam, Moses's older sister, is the heroine. It is she who watches over Moses in the bulrushes, and it is she who tells the Egyptian princess who finds him that Jocheved, Moses's mother, should be his nursemaid. Years later, when the Israelites are wandering in the desert, Miriam leads the women in dance, and it is in her honor that God creates a well of spring water. This story is told as a modern-day family gathers to celebrate Passover. Miriam, the daughter, hears about her namesake and receives a gift of a goblet in honor of the prophet to place next to all the other ritual objects on the table. Bright watercolor paintings lend drama to the story. The text is framed on a background resembling papyrus. An author's note provides background on the origin of the story while the back cover contains music and lyrics for Miriam's Song, written by Debbie Friedman (in 1988). Ages 4+. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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MRS. MOSKOWITZ AND THE SABBATH CANDLESTICKS [Winner, National Jewish Book Award]
text and wonderful B&W illustrations by Amy Schwartz. Condition: NEW 1983 edition Jewish Press soft cover, no printing given. This book is obviously a later printing than 1983 - most likely c. 2000. Content: Reviewer: "An older woman moves from her home to a small apartment with her cat. She expresses her sadness about leaving her home. As she unpacks she finds her Sabbath candlesticks. Cleaning them, she remembers the beautiful family dinners she had. The candlesticks motivate her to make her new apartment feel like her home as she welcomes her family for Sabbath dinner. A beautiful story about the sadness of an older person giving up the life she knew, and the strength of family in adjusting to a new life." Much to learn and enjoy here. Questions welcome. Ages 4 - 8. [1 copy available]
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MY FIRST CHANUKAH (A Board Book)
by Tomie dePaola. Colorful and appropriate color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1989 Putnam's board book, 5th printing. Light shelf wear. Interior pages perfect. Content: A perfect first book for toddlers and young children who are beginning to recognize the familiar objects we see during the eight days of Chanukah - the candles flowing n the menorah, the spinning dreidel, the delicious latkes and Chanukah gelt, and much more. Ages 1 - 5. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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O JERUSALEM
by Jane Yolen. Beautiful color paintings by John Thompson. Condition: Very good ex-library book, 1996 Blue Sky Press hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Does have all normal library markings, but the interior is clean & tight. Content: Jerusalem is a holy place for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In her poetry, Yolen captures the feelings all three of these religions have toward the city, and Thompson brings them to life in his exquisite paintings. The poems thoughtfully explore moments of history and myth: the life of young David and his effect on the Jewish people, the meditations of the angels as they watch pilgrims make their way to Jerusalem to honor Allah, and the hope and horror that are sealed in the city's stones. Each double-page spread has a poem and a bit of narrative that tells about the history from which the poem springs. But it is Thompson's pictures that really call to you. The painterly acrylics reflect the majesty of a Jerusalem dawn, the old city panorama as seen perhaps from the Mount of Olives, black-faced sheep blending against a background of stone wall, an adolescent David contemplating his decision, and other striking perspectives. Thompson is a superb draftsman who also handles color eloquently. As each illustration is unique and a work of art, so is each poem. Together they form an integral unit and provide a most fitting celebration of the Jerusalem 3000 anniversary. For grades 3 and up. Lends itself beautifully to read-aloud sessions. [1 copy available]
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ON PURIM
by Cathy Goldberg Fishman. Wonderful color illustrations by Melanie W. Hall. Decorated end pages. Condition: NEW 2000 Atheneum hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: This is a sprightly overview from Fishman (On Passover, 1997), who uses a young girl's preparations as the vehicle for a recounting of the Purim story. The full cast of characters is presentQueen Esther and King Ahasuerus, Mordecai and Hamanfor a lesson in how Mordecai and Esther's acts of courage turned the wastrel Ahasuerus into a decent king and saved the Jews from Haman's wrath. Fishman smoothly includes a handful of Hebrew words in the texthamantashen, shalach manot, and tzedakahand makes Haman emerge in all his evilness, with prompts for stomping, hooting, and yelling at the mention of his name. In the end, Fishman explains how God's presence can be detected in the mettle of Mordecai and Esther, in their willingness to do the right thing at a potentially dire cost. Their example also universalizes the tale, providing transcendent acts of personal courage. Hall's pastel-pretty illustrations beguilingly serve to transmit the story and give it a suitably cozy atmosphere. (Ages 5-9) Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
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PEARL'S PASSOVER: A Family Celebration Through Stories, Recipes, Crafts, and Songs
text and color illustrations by Jane Breskin Zalben. Condition: NEW 2002 Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket) first edition, first printing. Lovely soft, warm & appropriate color illustrations. Content: A large family, neighbors, and a rabbi (all portrayed in loving domestic detail as sheep) play a role in the stories, recipes, crafts, and songs featured here. Zalben individualizes her characters through humorous touches that make the rather large cast easy to distinguish. The colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations of the vignettes are charming, and those that accompany the clear directions given for crafts and cooking are both helpful and inviting. Children will enjoy reading about Pearl and Avi and their twin cousins, Sophie and Harry ("the two terrors from Teaneck"); adults will appreciate the way that essential information about the history, meaning, and customs of Passover is interwoven throughout the stories and activities. Ages 5 - 9. [1 copy available]
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ROSE BLANCHE
text and color illustrations by Roberto Innocenti and Christophe Gallaz. The color illustrations are stunning and detailed. Condition: UNREAD, BUT NOT PERFECT, 1985 Creative Editions - Harcourt Brace hard cover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first thus, no printing given. Very light edge wear to DJ with light tanning to DJ edges. Interior perfect. Content: During World War II, a young German schoolgirl, Rose Blanche, follows the soldiers when they arrest a boy and discovers a concentration camp in the woods. Thereafter , she takes food to the prisoners until the town is liberated. Ironically, when she travels to the camp on that day she is shot by the soldiers. The oppression of Fascism is shown through the powerful and realistic paintings. In Innocenti's large, meticulously detailed paintings, Rose Blanche is the only brightly colored individual, and her small figure is set against the drab colors of overwhelming buildings and masses of soldiers and townspeople. No skyline is shown until a radiant spring bursts forth at the site of her death after the liberation. Although the story is simply told, it will require interpretation as details such as the concentration camp are not named nor explained, and the death of Rose Blanche is implied but not stated. This is a difficult book to classify, as the text is easy enough for a young child to read alone, and it has the appearance of a picture bookbut the content of the text and illustrations is full of emotional impact and subtlety. This is a powerful story and I don't think any child under the age of 12 should read it - but then. . . .I'm cautious. [1 copy available]
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THE SECRET SEDER
by Doreen Rappaport. Wonderful watercolor illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully that make you believe you are in 1940s Europe. Condition: NEW 2005 Hyperion hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), second printing. Content: Amid the plethora of Holocaust children's literature emerges yet another picture book that uses the themes of exodus and freedom associated with Passover to contrast the reality of Nazi-occupied Europe. The narrator is a French boy whose family lives openly as Catholics, but secretly observes their Jewish faith. Despite the fear that their true identity will be discovered, he and his father attend an all-male Seder held in an abandoned shack in a nearby forest. They arrive with a roasted egg for the meager Seder plate, which lacks many of the traditional ingredients. One man says, "We have no bitter herbs to dip in salted water," while another replies, "We do not need bitter herbs....Our lives are bitter enough." The highlight of the evening is when the boy recites the four traditional questions, which he had secretly practiced with his mother. The men provide secondary answers to the customary ones: "I think tonight is different because tonight all over Europe, Jews are being murdered." Their sadness, fear, and misery are underscored by the idea that tonight they are free in their hearts and by their hope for a brighter future. Watercolors depicting gloomy, foreboding images of the village, forest, and shack counter the child's memories of happier meals at his grandmother's home. Rappaport interweaves themes and descriptive text to create a meaningful story in a distinctive setting. An excellent discussion starter. Grades 2 - 6. [1 copy available]
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SOMETHING FROM NOTHING (Adapted from a Jewish Folktale)
by Phoebe Gilman. Wonderful color illustrations. Condition: NEW 2008 Scholastic soft cover, first printing. Content: Joseph loves the beautiful baby blanket his grandfather made for him. But when it gets old and ragged his mom wants to throw it away. Luckily Grandpa has an idea. . . . The artwork shows cutaways of the 3-story house and on the lowe level of the house, a mouse family is doing the same thing that the human family is doing. Too cute! [1 copy available]
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THE SONG OF SONGS
by Sholom Aleichem. Translation by Curt Leviant. Color illustrations by Devis Grebu. Condition: NEW 1996 Simon & Schuster hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: The Jewish gift book of the year! Never before issued as a complete novella in English, this is Sholom Aleichem's elliptical tale of a love that cannot be, exquisitely rendered by the world's leading translator of the Yiddish master--and beautifully illustrated by an award-winning artist. 15 watercolors. [2 copies available]
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THE SPOTTED PONY: A Collection of Hanukkah Stories
retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated in B&W by Leonard Everett Fisher. Condition: NEW 1992 Holiday House hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: A very worthy collection of 8 short stories that will appeal to the entire family. The stories are sometimes clever, sometimes humorous, but always enjoyable. This is a book that can be read silently alone, or out loud to others. The author also includes a very touching story concerning his collection of the stories in this book. Stories: Ibn Ezra & the Archbishop; The Kabil's Donkey; Leviathan and the Fox; The Wonderful Shamir; Did the Rabbi Have A Head?; The Caliph and the Cobbler; When Herschel Eats; The Spotted Pony. Ages 4 - 10. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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THE STONE LAMP: Eight Stories of Hanukkah Through History
by Karen Hesse. Wonderful color illustrations by Brian Pinkney. Condition: NEW 2003 Hyperion over-size hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), second printing. Light edgewear bottom DJ edge at fold. Content: Hesse takes eight crucial, painful periods in Jewish history and, for each one, shines a light on one child's thoughts during Hanukkah. A brief explanation of the timeframe, from the Crusades to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, is followed by free-verse poems written in the first person, offering a child's viewpoint. In 1665, for instance, a 16-year-old Jewish girl in Turkey lifts her voice in song with her neighbors on Hanukkah after the man they had been planning to follow to the Holy Land turned out to be a false Messiah. Some of these episodes are well known, some are not, but all are intriguing, and the personal perspective of each young narrator adds special resonance to the meaning of Hanukkah. The rich paintings, full of warmth and light, complement the text without overwhelming it. A unique and moving book that should be shared year-round. [1 copy available]
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THHIS IS OUR SEDER
by Ziporah Hildebrant. Nice color illustrations by Robin Roraback give the book an "old world" flavor. Condition: NEW 1999 Holiday House hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), no printing given but assumed first printing. Content: Why is this Seder book different from all others? Well. . . the text for this inviting volume couldn't be simpler, as Hildebrandt deftly pares down the Passover celebration to its most basic concepts. "This is our night for coming together," she begins, then, retaining the same sentence construction, she intro-duces "the plate for teaching," the "pillows for leaning," the haggadah ("the story for telling"), etc. It's Roraback's unusually spirited illustrations that serve up the storytelling. She pairs close-ups of specific items (e.g., the seder plate) with full-page views of a large, plain-looking family, everyone from grandparents to a baby, all seated at the holiday table, and she keeps the visual rhythm lively by "panning" the table in her different scenes. The characters are determinedly plain-the beauty here is in the details. Of the "pillows for leaning," for example, one is decorated with an infant Moses among the bulrushes, a couple of fish smiling up at him; when the "story for telling" is introduced, Roraback shows the children putting on a Passover puppet show for their elders. The compositions are calm but busy, with plenty of background action: a dog campaigning for handouts, a girl kicking off her party shoes as the evening wears on. Despite the explanatory note at the end, however, terms like "afikomen" and rites like opening the door (for Elijah) go undefined, so that this book is best enjoyed by families who already know the special significance of Passover. Ages 4-8. [1 copy available]
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THE VERY BEST HANUKKAH GIFT
by Joanne Rocklin. B&W illustrations and cover art by Catharine O'Neill. Condition: NEW 1999 Delacorte hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), fourth printing. Content: Daniel may be the middle child in the Bloom family, but he feels like the baby; his younger sister isn't afraid of the new dog, Rusty, next door, but Daniel is. To make matters worse, the dog's owner has invited the Blooms for Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Daniel occupies himself before the dreaded visit by making Hanukkah presents for his family. The Blooms retell the ancient holiday story, light the candles, and cook traditional foods. On the night of the visit, Daniel accidentally drops the lucky dreidel he received as a gift. The dog scoops it up and places it at Daniel's feet, an overture of friendship that Daniel tentatively accepts. On the last night of the celebration, an ice storm knocks out the power and the Blooms' invited guests can't come, so they ask the other building residents, including Rusty, to share their Hanukkah meal. With refreshing, believable characters, this engaging story of a boy's fears, a supportive family, and a celebration that reflects traditional values is a great Hanukkah gift in itself. Ages 9 - 12. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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THE WHITE RAM; A Story of Abraham and Isaac
by Mordicai Gerstein. Beautiful warm color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2006 Holiday House hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing, Not a remainder. Content: This stunningly illustrated picture book is based on a Midrash story about a white ram that is made by God on the sixth day of creation for a single purpose–to sacrifice himself on the altar in exchange for Abrahams son. The art, done in pen and ink, oils, and colored pencil, is mesmerizing. With a captivating use of language along with true drama, Gerstein tells of the ram that patiently awaits the moment when he can play his part in Gods plan. I must save the boy! he repeats, and the story takes on a true sense of urgency. The selfless act contributes much to subsequent Jewish history, and thus to the entire world. Young children might be frightened by the evil one, who is depicted as taking many clever forms in order to foil the rams intention, but most kids will find the tale exciting. Both Judaic and Christological references can be gleaned from the text, but the story is truly ecumenical and would be universal to all belief systems. Dedicated to all our fellow animals from whom we take and receive so much, this book is sure to provoke thought and provide a moment of reflection about those in our lives who sacrifice so much for us. A masterful melding of illustration and story, The White Ram will enhance all collections. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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WHY IS THIS NIGHT DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER NIGHS?: The Four Questions Around The World [Ma Nistana]
by Ilana Kurshan. Intro by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. B&W photos, era art reproductions, and decorations. Condition: NEW 2008 Schocken small hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: This fascinating, informative, and beautifully illustrated books translates the Passover seder's Four Questions into twenty-three languages and provides capsule histories of the Jews in the countries where the languages are spoken. The recitation of the Four Questions at the beginning of the Passover seder by the youngest participant is one of the highlights of the evening and captures its very essence: to keep the memory of the Exodus of the Jews from Egyptian slavery alive in our minds, and to teach our children about their heritage and history. This unique volume covers a variety of languages of the Jewish Diaspora—from French to Farsi, from Latin to Ladino, from Amharic to Afrikaans, from Yiddish to Swedish to Chinese. For each language a translation (and, where necessary, a transliteration) of the Four Questions is provided, accompanied by a brief overview of Jewish life and culture among the speakers of the language, and an illustrations of either historical or contemporary interest. The perfect seder gift, Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights? is also an excellent introduction to Jewish history in the Diaspora for young and old alike. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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THE YELLOW STAR: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark
by Carmen Agra Deedy. Illustrated (oil paintings) by Henri Sorensen. Condition: NEW 2000 Peachtree large hardcover (pictorial boards) and DJ (in mylar jacket). Warm & appropriate illustrations. Content: Blending fact with legend, Deedy tells of Denmark's King Christian X's simple act of rebellion and courage, which served to unite his people against the Nazis. It is the king's custom to ride through the streets of Copenhagen unguarded, counting on the love of his people to protect him. When the Nazis circulate the order that all Jews must wear yellow stars on their clothing, the king devises a way to protect them. He makes his morning rounds as is his custom, but wears a yellow Star of David on his finest suit. The final illustrations depict shopkeepers, policemen, and others, all following their monarch's lead. "And, once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes." Deedy's language is simple and rhythmic. This is an interesting and thought-provoking piece of work, but readers are sure to be disappointed to find out that it is legend, and not verified history. I have to admit I had never heard this story was not history, but legend. I'm very disappointed. The Danes did, however, save some 7,000+ Jews by smuggling them into Sweeden. Up to you.
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ZIGAZAK!: A Magical Hanukkah Night
by Eric A. Kimmel. Delightful, fun color illustrations by Jon Goodell. Condition: NEW 2001 Doubleday hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), third printing. Content: Is Hanukkah really all about dancing dreidels and high-flying latkes? Maybe not, but Eric Kimmel and Jon Goodell have put these devilish phenomena to good use in a lighthearted story that teaches Hanukkah traditions--from kazatzkas to gelt--along with a wise, timeless moral. The tale's decidedly unscary antagonists are a couple of bumbling devils determined to cause Hanukkah-night mischief in the village of Brisk. Goodell's clearly having fun as he sends five dreidels into a tight little jig, launches latkes around Hannah Leah's kitchen, and sets off some menorah pyrotechnics in Menachem Mendel's home. But Brisk's frightened villagers need not worry: they've got a clever rabbi who's not only unafraid of the devils' antics--he enjoys them! When dreidels sprout legs and dance on his table, "he laughed and clapped his hands. 'Delightful!' he exclaimed. 'Show me more.'" As with the misadventures of Fat Albert, kids reading Zigazak! should be careful--otherwise, they just might learn something. And that goes for both Hanukkah minutiae and the wise rabbi's moral: "Sparks of holiness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks. And if we look hard enough, we can find the good in all living creatures." (Ages 4 to 8) Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
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