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!

5 comments about Rivka's First Thanksgiving.

1. Kovalski's heroine touches children on both a personal and national level. Rivka endeavors to become American. Her family's quest for freedom is like the Pilgrim's. She helps her family to recognize and celebrate the true spirit of the Thanksgiving Holiday.



2. In rich and spirited prose, accompanied by warmly rendered illustrations, Rivka's First Thanksgiving captures the texture and cadence of early 20th century Jewish immigrant life in New York City. The story teaches children the importance of old traditions, as well as the necessity for creating new ones. The reader can almost smell the turkey -- and the challah!



3. Elsa Rael's book fills a truly needed place in American-Jewish children's literature and children's literature on the whole. The story of a clear headed and plunky little girl who mounts up steep wood tenement steps to confront first one austere little rabbi in his book-filled room to a whole roomful of them to explain why Jews should celebrate Christmas is wonderful! The Lower East Side is everyone's heritage, and Ms. Rael and her magical illustrator bring it to life. You see the world of the 1930's through the eyes of a child. Original and heartwarming.



4. The recent political atmosphere makes this book even more profoundly important. Children see the need and are starving to understand each other's cultures. I read it to my 11-yr and 13-yr. Puerto Rican - American born niece & nephew a couple of days before Thanksgiving, wondering if they'd be too old & too sophisticated to enjoy it, (they are Harry Potter fans.) This book both empowered them and satisfied their need to more fully understand how children from a different culture (Jewish) relate to "Thanksgiving." It 's apparent that we've gotton away from the roots of this American holiday and that "Thanksgiving" had never clicked in their heads. It helped them to understand why people from other countries still come to America today. My "kids" strongly identifed with "Rivka's" courage to stand up for her own point of view . They were thoroughy engaged in the story and loved the illustrations-and so did I. J. Gardner



5. Hear an interview with Rivka's First Thanksgiving illustrator Maryann Kovalski on The Book of Life podcast's Thanksgiving Special episode (November 2007) at www.bookoflifepodcast.com!

1 comments about Celebrating Hanukkah.

1. This colorful photo-essay tells the story of Hanukkah as seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Leora and her family. A detailed history of the holiday is given--how more than 2,000 years ago, the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem; and how the miracle of the light occurred when two-days' worth of oil continued to burn throughout the eight-day stay in the Temple.

   Then Leora describes how her family prepares for and celebrates Hanukkah in their home, school and at the Synagogue. She tells how to light the hanukkiah menorah, or holiday candelabra, how to play the dreidel game, and how to make potato latkes.

   The personalized account of how one family celebrates this religious festival, coupled with lots of bright, interesting photographs, makes this book come out a notch above most "introduction to holiday" books.

1 comments about Elijah's Tears: Stories for the Jewish Holidays (Redfeather Books.).

1. Winner of the 1997 Storytelling World Award, Elijah's Tears: Stories For The Jewish Holidays is a collection of five original tales by Sydelle Pearl, each of which is connected to an important Jewish holiday and features the prophet Elijah, a biblical figure who is well known in Judaic folklore for magically appearing to those in great danger. Simple, black-and-white sketches by Rossitza Skortcheva fully complement this engaging collection which is especially recommended for young people, yet is suitable and entertaining reading for all ages.

3 comments about All the Lights in the Night.

1. I have to give this book a good review -- it's an excellent Hanukkah story for children of any age. But I also have to admit I'm a bit biased -- my brother and I were the "models" for this book. I'm the older brother in the story, and my brother was the younger one. My mom and dad make cameo appearances on the train at the end. Anyway, if you're looking for a good Hanukkah gift, I bet you'll enjoy All the Lights in the Night. If you have any comments I'd like to hear them (i.e. "You're a handsome kid" - hehe). You can contact me via the above e-mail address.



2. This is the touching story of two Jewish brothers whose parents send them from Russia, at great expense, to protect them from the oppression they have suffered for so long.
   
   The brothers travel by train and ship during Chanukah, and especially miss lighting their menorot and the delight of annual Chanukah stories and games. But from the deck of their ship, they consider the stars in the December night sky as their lights on this particular Festival of Lights.
   
   My kids especially enjoyed this book when they were little.



3. Sweet is the best way to describe this book. Just like the Hannukah story it parallels, this story is sad and hopeful and very inspiring.

No comments about Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights.

No comments about The Hanukkah Book.

No comments about Hanukkah Fun: Crafts and Games.

1 comments about My Jewish Home (Very First Board Books).

1. I loved this book the first time I saw it. It is a wonderful book for preschool children.

2 comments about Biscuit's Hanukkah (Biscuit).

1. It is Hanukkah and Biscuit and the girl with the purple sneakers are getting ready to celebrate with their friends.
   
   Together they make a menorah as a gift for their friends. There is a little explanation about the object but not much. The gift is then presented to the friends and happiness ensues.
   
   Although the book makes an attempt to talk about the candles, only the difference between the eight candles and the Shamash candle is mentioned. So while it is a fun book and Biscuit is up to his usual antics, there is little actually about Hanukkah here.



2. Biscuit's Hanukkah is a board book about a little girl teaching her dog, Biscuit, about some of the customs of Hanukkah. This book introduces some Hebrew words such as shamash and menorah, in a simple, sweet way. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and full of Hanukkah décor and Judaic symbols. It is an appealing introduction to this Jewish holiday that is sure to be popular with its target audience of very young children.
   For preschool and younger.
   Reviewed by Melanie Pastor