No comments about Beni's Family Cookbook for the Jewish Holidays.

2 comments about The Magic Menorah: A Modern Chanukah Tale.

1. Donna Diamond illustrates The Magic Menorah, a wonderfully told and modern Chanukah story, which will appeal to ages 7-10. Stanley hates Chanukah: he has to deal with noisy relatives, clean the house, and finds little to celebrate. When he finds an antique menorah and a genie, he is taken on a time trip which demonstrates the value of Chanukah in his life.



2. Stanley Green never looked forward to Chanukah. He felt it was more trouble than it was worth. All his relatives came to his house with their sloppy hugs and kisses, his little cousins fought and yelled, got into his things, and made a big mess. There was too much cooking, and his arm ached from grating potatoes and chopping onions for the latkes. And there was too much cleaning before the celebration, and even more afterwards. Worst of all, on Chanukah, a supposedly happy holiday, his Grandpa Abe was always quiet and very sad. This year something new was added to the usual routine. Stanley was sent up to the attic to find an old wrapped package in the large trunk. He'd never seen it before and with his curiosity getting the better of him, carefully opened the brown paper to find a tarnished menorah. As he began to wipe off the dust, he wondered why anyone would want this old thing. Just as he finished examining it more closely, and polishing the shammash until it glowed, the floor began to shake, a big puff of smoke erupted, and a very old man appeared in front of him..... Jane Breskin Zalben has written a lovely and memorable Chanukah story, with a simple and gentle message, that won't be lost on young readers. Her engaging and entertaining text, complete with yiddish words and expressions, is complemented by Donna Diamond's old photograph-like artwork, and together they've authored a tender and poignant story of love, family, and the true meaning of happiness. There's even a glossary included at the end of the story, to help with the yiddish and enhance learning. Perfect as a reading book for youngsters 8 and older, The Magic Menorah makes an even better read-aloud story the entire family can share and enjoy together.

5 comments about The Only One Club.

1. Engagingly written by Jane Nailboff and nicely illustrated by Jeff Hopkins, The Only One Club is the story of a young girl named Jennifer, who is the only Jewish student in her first-grade class. When the other first graders are making Christmas decorations, the teacher tells jennifer that she can make Hanukah decorations instead, and be the first to hang them on the classroom windows. Happy to be singled out, Jennifer creates "The Only One Club". When her classmates want to join her exclusive club, she resists at first - then realizes each of her friends is also "the only one" at something, and makes badges for everyone, celebrating each person's unique qualities. The friendly illustrations emphasize an upbeat and positive message about the value of differences and the importance of tolerance and acceptance.



2. Differences in race, religion, politics, ideas and lifestyles have given birth to such an enormous amount of negative media these days. In the newspapers we read and the news programs we watch, we are suffocated by it all. What an absolute pleasure to read such a positive expression of being different. Jane Naliboff creates a beautiful story wonderfully written which should be required reading for all!



3. The Only One Club explores our innate desires to be part of a group, all while we wish to celebrate our individuality.
   
   Jennifer is in first grade and all the children are making Christmas decorations. When Jennifer wants to make Hanukah decorations her teacher encourages her in her project and allows her to proudly display her art. When she goes home that night she decides to start the "Only One Club" of which she is the only member.
   
   "I want to be in it, too," Steven whined. "I must be the only one of something."
   
   Soon all the children want to be in the club and start wearing badges to proclaim their individuality.
   
   The Only One Club is a lovely book to teach children about diversity in a school setting. The art creates a multicultural setting and the true-to-life dialogue is creative and comforting.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



4. THE ONLY ONE CLUB by, Jane Naliboff
   Reviewed by, Joshua
   
   
   The Only One Club by, Jane Naliboff is an exciting children's book. I liked this book because its about a little girl name Jennifer who is Jewish and everybody isn't. So she goes home and makes The Only One Club because she feels left out. In addition she made the club badge and I liked that.
   
   
   The plot is interesting. Then Jennifer was happy now that she made a club but nobody was in it. So, everyone asked to be in it and she said, "no." I really didn't like that part.
   
   
   The setting is at her house and classroom. That's not really exciting but the classroom is a little.
   This book doesn't have any slang so that's why it's a good children's book.
   
   
   The best part was at the end when Jennifer gave everyone a club badge. She then at the very end gave her teacher a badge too. So now, nobody was left out. Now everybody was happy even though they were different.
   
   
   This was a great book overall but I didn't like the theme of the book. But I liked the very end when the teacher got the badge. This book is fun for kids 5-8. This story is good for kids who are left out in school. This story teaches kids a lesson not to leave other kids out.
   
   
   



5. I am a pediatrician and have copies of this book in my exam rooms. It is the book most commonly commented on by parents as being a wonderful children's book.

2 comments about What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street (Aladdin Picture Books).

1. This is an oustanding book for children. My daughter received it as a gift, and it is one of those rare books that adults feel delivers a powerful message, but children love anyway! The book gives an interesting look at an immigrant Jewish community without ever being pedagogical, and, even better, teaches a wonderful philosophy of social justice and "charity" without being in the least preachy and (even rarer) without stating in words the point the story has just made. You will love this one



2. This would be a fine book even if it were only a well-executed example of those "learn about a culture" books. But it is much more. The book teaches -- without the heavy-handed EXPLANATIONS that so often destroy the flow and writing and make the whole thing seem so artificial -- about Jewish values and the complexities of social responsibility, justice and dignity, without ever TELLING them to the reader. The author lets the story speak for itself, and the message comes through all the more clearly, not less, for her forbearance. Just terrific. Worth the price for the kids on your list (and I don't think it's only appropriate for under-eights).

3 comments about By the Hanukkah Light.

1. A warm feeling will come over you and your children as you read this book together. It is touching and also very powerful as it deals with Hanukkah is a very original and sensitive way by making it relevant to the world we live in



2. I am not Jewish, and so don't know a lot about Hanukah, but I want to teach my children about the beliefs of different peoples around the world. So when I went to the library to get out some Christmas books, I got this book as well. My 3.5 year old son LOVED it. He wanted me to read it over and over so he could understand the story. And I embellished it a little bit telling him what little I knew, and telling him which of his friends, or other people he knew, who are Jewish. It was a wonderful learning experience that we both enjoyed. I highly recommend this to both Jewish parents who want to share with their children about their holidays by reading a story, and for non-Jews who want to know more about this holiday.



3. We had a new way of starting Hanukkah this year. Instead of starting off with the gifts, the kids got to choose a Hanukkah Book to read to everyone - adults and kids after we lit the Hanukkiah. We picked By the Hanukkah Light and we read it to everyone together. It was great to read and everyone in the family really liked it a lot. It talks about Hanukkah in a really clear way and also it has a great story about a grandfather and his life. The two stories fit together really well. Its like you learn about Jewish history and the history of a family.

No comments about Hanukkah (An Albert Whitman Prairie Book).

3 comments about Where's My Dreidel?: A Hanukkah Lift-the-Flap Story (Holiday Lift-The-Flap Books).

1. hannukah at its best! after years of communism when my children didn't know what hannukah was, here comes a book that summarizes it all for my children and even myself! The most incredible thing about this book is the imagination of its creators. Well done, guys!



2. Our 2 1/2 year old boys taught everyone at day care about Hanukkah with help from this book. Excellent. Next year, we'll get a little deeper (no history or details in this book).



3. My kids (2 & 5 yrs), really enjoy flap books, and my 2-yr-old hasn't managed to rip the flaps off this one yet! That aside, I like the book a lot, and own several of them in this series. They are cute and funny and NOT annoying at all, which is often the case with kid's books. I highly recommend it!

5 comments about Miriam's Cup: A Passover Story (Passover Titles).

1. I am a Lutheran church librarian. This excellent book about Passover stresses the female role in the story. So often Bible stories stress only men's roles. I buy those, but also go out of my way to find those that stress roles of women to inspire our daughters and granddaughters. Women are religious too, and have great roles to play. This story is told from Miriam's point of view. A modern day little girl named Miriam is told the Passover story by her Mom. We thus go back in time, seeing the Passover story from the ancient Miriam's point of view: the fact that she prophesied her brother Moses' birth and that he would be the Israelite leader; the role of Moses' mother, pharoah's wife, and even the two midwives who birthed Moses but refused to kill him as ordered by the pharaoh, the first act of civil disobedience reported in the Bible. As a Lutheran, I enjoy the Midrashic legendary spin in stories such as this. It adds life to worn and dusty stories. Several other important things about this book are: a modern day song about Miriam on the back cover for use at home or in Sunday School, a historical note at the end of the story, a bibliography for those who want to know more, and the fantastic illustrations in blue-violet and burnt orange done in watercolor, by Bob Dacey, chair of the Visual Arts Dept. at Syracuse University. This is an excellent book both for Jewish and Christian children. For those of you who may also be interested in other Biblical storybooks about girls and women, I can suggest A Prayer for the Earth: The story of Naamah, Noah's Wife by Sandy Sasso. In this book Naamah is seen as the preserver of all the plants on the earth, at God's direction. Noah handles the fauna, Naamah handles the flora. A lovely story. Another is Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin, Jr., in which Mary retells the story of Jesus' birth to the young Jesus. Others are Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianne Mayer, Queen Esther Saves Her People by Ruth Golden Gelman, Queen of Sheba (don't know author) and Ruth Sanderson's Tapestries: Stories of Women in the Bible, with illustrations resembling Victorian petit-point. I would like to find an illustrated storybook on Martin Luther, Ruth and Naomi, Martha and Mary and the like done as well as Miriam's Cup.



2. I stumbled on this book by accident and I'm so glad I did! This beautifully illustrated book brings the passover story to life. It introduces a new custom of placing a cup for Miriam the prophet on the seder table to honor her and the women of the passover story. We introduced this new tradition at our seders this year and it was met with great appreciation by all in attendance.



3. This is a wonderful book. My children really enjoyed it, but my daughter just a little bit more than her brother. It was a pleasure to see my daughter realize that there are women that have made their mark on history.



4. It is wonderful that books are being written that show women's influence in Biblical times, especially for children. Miriam is an inspiring heroine in her care of the Hebrew people, bringing them water even in the driest desert. That's why we drink from Miriam's Cup on Passover and it is her story we read here.

   My 7-year-old daughter, who is at the beginning of her religious education enjoyed the story and the illustrations and we now have "Miriam's Cup" at all our Passover seders.




5. This is a "Terrific" book for children and people who knew very little about the story of Miriam. It explains in simple terms her importance in Passover.
   It held the attention of young and old alike but, it's really for the first time reader about Miriam.

3 comments about The Matzah Ball Fairy.

1. This is a funny, light hearted book about a family getting together for Passover. The mother trying to make light fluffy matzoh balls always reminds me of making matzoh balls with my mother - waiting and hoping they would float. The illustrations are great and the fun and funniness of family get togethers are events anyone can relate to and laugh at. By far it is my favorite Jewish children's book.



2. I found this book to be very colorful and very imaginative. My three year old loves it when all the relatives start to float. He helps me make matzah balls and after reading this book, he will actually eat them. I love how this poor woman brings her relatives back down to earth. It is a wonderful and warm book that children will love.



3. I actually have not seen or read this book beyond what is visible on Amazon's website, but it looks like such a charming book and I would desperately like to have a copy for my son if I could find it at a fair price. I've been searching high and low to no avail. I think it's outrageous that people are trying to sell it for almost $200, and good luck to them finding a buyer. If you are also interested in this book, please try contacting URJ Press at 888-489-8242 and urge them to re-print it!

2 comments about The Gift (Aladdin Picture Books).

1. This is sweet and very dear story taken from the author's childhood in Germany. The dilemma of what to do with her Chanukah gelt takes this young girl from enticing store to store, each of which she has visited before, but now has the means for a MAJOR purchase. The final choice is a suprise and a treat for the reader as well as a triumph for the girl. Carnabuci's illustrations grow on you, and he has some beautiful scenes, like the cover picture. This pair, author and illustrator, made a great book together. I hope they can collaborate on more books in the future



2. This 28-page picture book is based on the author's post-World War II memories, as the child of Holocaust survivors, of the Hanukkah season in Germany.

   The book does not cover the War period at all. This fictional tale, rather, recasts the author's post-war meeting with a German veteran of the Battle of Stalingrad who played an accordion and earned his living as a street musician. As the Horn Book quotation on this page notes, the girl goes shopping for Hanukkah with a five-mark coin in her pocket, "but, instead, gives the money to a street musician, who teaches her to play the accordion."

   I can't give away the ending, but it teaches an important lesson: Those who give are often repaid many fold. Alyssa A. Lappen