1 comments about The Runaway Latkes.

1. This is a very cute book that's a take off on the Gingerbread Man story. Kids will love it! It also includes a recipie for latkes.

3 comments about Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

1. As a middle school social studies teacher who teaches world cultures, I wanted to expose my students to the High Holy Days, I was seeking a colorful, fun and informative introduction to this most important time in the Jewish year. My mostly Christian students knew nothing of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur which led me to choose a book that was very simple and straight forward. When I discovered Sound the Shofar, I knew that it was perfect.

   The story centers on one family's celebration of the High Holy Days and focuses on the reasons behind some of the more allegorical traditions (such as blowing the shofar, dipping apples in honey...)My students did gain a basic understanding, but the book, in my opinion, is really meant for a much younger audience (perhaps kindergarten - second grade) although children through 10 will most likely enjoy it.




2. It's Rosh Hashana. Uncle jake is practicing the Shofar. All the relatives come for dinner. There are candles, wine, apples, honey, and a round challah. Even the cats lick up some honey for a sweet new year. At the synagogue the rabbi and cantor, a man and a woman (which is which? hehe), lead the congregation and a portly Uncle Jake sounds the Shafar. For Yom Kippur, there is a collection of canned goods for a food bank tzedakah contribution, and a chance to change our ways. Finally, it's evening, and Uncle Jake sounds the neillah Shofar



3. This book is very focused on the Jewish High Holy Days. It starts with the start of Rosh Hashanah and ends on right at the close of Yom Kippur.
   
   While many may feel that the Day of Atonement may not make for a good story, this book does a very nice job of it. It touches on the home and the synagogue. The children experience the joys of the holidays while also reflecting on the more serious aspects (the are sorry for the bad things they have done in the previous year and promise to do better in the coming year). All of this is wrapped around the Uncle who has been practicing blowing the Shofar as he will have the honor for the holidays.
   
   A very nice and simple story that does a pretty good job of showing and explaining the High Holy Days.

4 comments about Anne Frank: Life in Hiding.

1. This is another book about Anne Frank that I get the chance to read. Although there are many biographies about this wonderful human being, this book is the closest one that can answer the questions that all Anne Frank fan has. I did for many years just read the Diary over and over but I wanted more! This book is definetly more! It tells you more about the relationship she had with her family and the rest of the people in hiding. This is a girl who could hardly see the light coming from her window and the only green thing that she could think about was a huge chestnut outside the Annex. This book describes this little things that she cherished and that she no longer had....her freedom. She didn't either had freedom of speach inside the Annex due to the critics about her attitude. This book develops more information about why Anne acted like she did and why she had an open opinion about everything. It also gives you a bigger idea of why she didn't like her mother and develops more about her childhood around her family and her friends. I hope all readers that enjoy the Anne Frank writings will enjoy this description about her persona. Is a total different thing to read her diary knowing more about her life and early aspirations. ENJOY!



2. The summary on this book is this is a book about Anne Frank. It tells about her life and her diary. Also it tells about her troubles and her problems. In this book, people are put into concentration camps and poision gas room by the Nazis. If you don't know who the Nazis are, they are a type of group that dosen't like Jews.
   Anne was born in 1856.Anne was very adventrous. She liked to write, so at the age of 13, her mom and dad bought her a diary. Anne was very talkative. Sha always got into trouble.
   Some problems that she faced is hidding.She was hidding from the Nazis. She was hidding with another family and a dentist. Also another problem she faced is physical changes.
   Some ways she solved her problems is by writting in her diary. In her diary she would write about things that were going on in her life. Another way she solved her problem is by hidding. This is a problem solver because if she didn't she would be in a concentration camp.



3. This book is filled with the ups and downs of Anne Frank, how she handles her problems, how life was being Jewish and happy memories of her life. It tells how Anne was a very energetic girl who had fun with friends and was very social. However, it also describes how hard life was for her, being Jewish, going into hiding and being captured and being transported to different concentration camps. Anne was born on June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt Germany. During her time in hiding she kept all her secret thoughts in a diary that her mother and father (Edith and Otto Frank) gave to her the day she turned 13(June 12, 1942). Anne had a very strong bond with her father and sister (Margot) but not as strong with her mother but she still loved her dearly. This is a wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone who is interested about Anne Frank.



4. This book is magical, because it shows you and makes you feel like you are the scene. It made me think how hard it would be to live like a young Jewish girl called Anne Frank living a life with guns being shot and having to move so much.
   I can not imagine living like Anne that can only go to shops that have the Jewish signs, and not much of the stores had them. Anne was very brave to put up with this stuff every day. She is unbelievable, she was a great person. You should read this book because it can give you information and show how lucky we are that we have freedom to go anywhere we want to go.
   I had a lot of fun reading this book and it showed me how lucky I am to be here in the United States. This book also taught me how cruel Hitler was to the Jewish and other people.

5 comments about Aidan's First Full Moon Circle.

1. Well folks, W. Lyon Martin has done it again. Her latest offering for Pagan children is "Aidan's First Full Moon Circle" and a beautiful, sweet offering it is! Full of rich colors, friendly faces, and an adorable story about a little boy's empowerment through his first group ritual, this is another installment in a much-needed genre of books for children. If you enjoyed "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child", you will love this book. And if you haven't read either, then get them both for the young girls and boys in your life. They will thank you for them!
   Kristin Madden
   author of Pagan Parenting (Spilled Candy, 2004), Pagan Homeschooling (Spilled Candy, 2002), Magickal Crafts (New Page, 2005), and more



2. I know this is a sweet children's book, but we Christians who enjoy learning about other relilgions appreciate an author like Martin.
   The illustrations are lovely, and the glossary in the back most helpful!
   
   A relative I shared the book with (president of her church's youth group) likened the circle to a first communion, and felt it underlined the importance of participating in one's religion instead of just being an observer.
   
   And Seamus the squirrel could have his own book!
   
   B.A. Haeberle



3. I don't have children of my own, so I read this book to my niece and nephew. They found the book to be an enchanting tale full of excitement and charm.
   
   I think the thing I liked the most about this delightful book, is how interactive and engaging it is. Not only are you telling an excellent story to your child [or a child], they are learning some basics of Wiccan ritual and getting to play a fun and enjoyable "Where's Waldo" with Seamus the Squirrel game throughout the entire book. Which my niece and nephew more than thoroughly enjoyed.
   
   This fictional tale brings the Craft down to a child's level and helps them much better understand its ritual basics, but it does this in a subtle way. It doesn't try to teach them big, strange words like widdershins. It's very enjoyable and would be a valued asset to every Pagan parents library.
   
   In the back of the book is also a very useful glossary of Craft terms used throughout the book (and a handy link for teachers guides for more learning) and the key to the acorn game spread all through the book and its gorgeous illustrations. I cannot wait to read more from W. Lyon Martin!



4. This is one of the best children's books ever written! Being a Pagan parent, I appreciate the very few books like this. We also have "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child" by the same fabulous author. They're both gorgeous books and very descriptive and informative. I think it takes a lot of intelligence to translate something spiritual and untouchable into simple man made words. Thank you!



5. I just received this book in the mail and instantly fell in love. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is wonderful. This is a great read for children of all religions. Our favorite part is looking for the acorns. A fun extra during family read time. I look forward to reading the other books by this author.

1 comments about Jewish Holiday Crafts for Little Hands.

1. This is a great books for crafts to do with little and big kids. Some of the crafts take a few minutes to make, and some are more involved, so all ages can get involved. They are easy, but fun crafts and really appropriate for each holiday. That is the kids will learn something.

   We currently are making hanging bees from toilet paper rolls and spiders from yarn for our sukkah from this book. There are interesting shabbat candlesticks from thread spools. These are just some examples of crafts in the book.

   We first took this book out of the library, but I realized that we definately needed a copy for ourselves.

1 comments about Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book.

1. This book is wonderfully illustrated, and kids love it. It has a great deal of re-read value for kids because the illustrations are so detailed. The Spanish is easy and many of the words listed are very similar to their English counterparts. El Dia de los Muertos is fun anytime of the year, and this book is a visual treat...

5 comments about Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent (Jotham's Journey Trilogy).

1. My wife and I started reading the Jotham "trilogy" years ago and we are now on a second reading of "Bartholomew's Passage." I cannot imagine not including these books in our advent schedule. Our four kids (ages 11,9,7,3) all look forward to each nights reading - and so do my wife and I. These stories are just great. The author manages to combine some of the harsh, gritty realities of this time along with some great and noble characters who befriend the titled "Jotham", "Bartholomew" or "Tabitha," each with a struggle to overcome. A great set of stories that honorably intersect with the "greatest story ever told."



2. What a wonderful book. There is something so satisfying about sitting together in our living room, with Advent candles burning and the kids spellbound, listening to every word of this story. We are on our fourth week reading, and the kids still come running when we say it is time to light the Advent candles.
   
   The story follows Jotham's journey to find his family after he gets angry at his father and runs away. He has many exciting cliff-hanger adventures that may seem contrived to adults but believe me, the kids won't care and will beg you to read the next day's section. Jotham ultimately ends up in Bethlehem and his life intersects the lives of Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Christ child in a lovely way that brings home Christ's divinity as well as the humanity of his infancy.
   
   As a homeschooling mother, I really appreciate the way Jotham's Journey makes biblical times come alive. Even though there are very few illustrations in the book, the text provides many details about daily life that raised good questions from the kids, showing their engagement with the story and their desire to understand the setting.
   
   One reviewer said this book is written for "conservative, evangelical Christians". I have to dispute that. Jotham's Journey IS a Christian story that tries to bring to life the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of the Savior. But presumably this is a given to a family that wants to celebrate Advent.
   
   A couple of times the book emphasizes the importance of children being completely obedient to their parents/caretakers (Jotham's disobedience gets him into his mess), and it also refers to corporal punishment a couple of times as a natural consequence of disobedience. And there is some violence, which is used for the purposes of both evil and good. I suppose this could also be inconsistent with the moral beliefs of some families.
   
   Otherwise I am mystified as to what the reviewer found as inconsistent with "liberal Christianity" or "an inclusive view of God's love". I don't know what the reviewer meant by "liberal Christianity", but I will say our family has a very inclusive view of God's love and we love this book.
   
   This is our first year celebrating Advent. Previously, the holidays were pretty much a blur of decorating, wrapping, baking, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Christmas would arrive before I knew it and I would be exhausted, the kids would be hyper and focused on the presents. It occurred to me that from my children's perspective, Christmas was about gifts, decorations, and a frazzled mother.
   
   One of the most effective things we've done to change that has been lighting Advent candles every night and reading this book by candlelight. It has been a simple and completely rewarding way to draw our family together.



3. My family ranges in age from 5 (my youngest son) to 50 (me). Let me just say at the outset that every one of us loved this book. This is a good story, well told. But before I continue with the review, I want to tell you how we stumbled across this book.
   
   Back in July our church called a new pastor. I'm from a denomination that doesn't typically observe the Advent season, but our new pastor, who had never celebrated Advent either, wanted the church to try it. His goal was to help both the church and the families in our church to focus on Christ. It worked!
   
   In conjunction with the special services we had at church, each family was encouraged to find a way to set aside some time every day to put everything else aside for a family devotional. We did some extensive research and made a list of resources (which you can see at 4jesu.homestead.com/files/advent.doc).
   
   My family chose this book. It's sectioned into daily readings, usually just 2 or 3 pages. We made an advent wreath and gathered around it each evening to read. The story is engaging.
   
   The central character, a young boy named Jotham, finds his life unexpectedly intertwined with the birth of the Messiah, and learns some important lessons about obedience and responsibility along the way. The story even attempts to show some of the unpleasant consequences of disobedience, and the sometimes harsh realities of life.
   
   My only caveat is that the short devotional thought at the end of each day's chapter is a little weak, but I was able to improvise easily and give it a little more substance. That doesn't affect my recommendation. This book gets 5 stars. If you're looking for a way to revitalize your family celebration of Christ's birth, this is a great place to start.



4. This was our family's best Advent yet! Occasionally "Jotham's Journey" was a bit too action-packed for our daughter (age 5), but she and our son (age 8) couldn't wait for each day's segment. Arnold Ytreeide is a master storyteller. His intricate blending of facts about biblical times into a fast-paced storyline captured our imaginations. We'll never look at Advent the same again. Our family can't wait to read Ytreeide's other books in 2006 and beyond.



5. accurate description of book, prompt service, and a great book in general- but especially for Advent and preparation for Christmas- I didn't want to stick to the Advent timeline they give because I wanted to keep reading

4 comments about My First Ramadan.

1. I was happy to see this book from Karen Katz, its a good introduction into Ramadan, although its missing a lot of "fun" for kids info, she did a good research, and have presented Ramdan well, I read it to my daughter, and like all other Karen Katz books we've read, we both loved it.



2. I was so psyched when I found out that one of my kid's favorite authors had done a book on Ramadan. (Thank you Karen Katz!) I was even more excited when I received the book. The illustrations are wonderful and whimsical. Ms. Katz has done an excellent job portraying life for a typical Muslim child. I especially enjoyed how she represented how multicultural a typical mosque in the US is. That's one of the wonderful things about being Muslim in the US--you are reminded every day that Muslims are not just of Arab origin. :) I know this will become a family favorite. Too bad it isn't on sturdy board stock like our other favorite Katz books. :)



3. Very nice and tender book about the value of fasting. American Muslims should be donating such books to all elementary libraries. What a great way to let young readers know about other cultures and traditions.



4. This is a great book/resource for teachers and parents to teach about a Muslim holiday, Ramadan to little children. My boys and I loved it!

1 comments about Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah.

1. You've heard of being a little mouse in the room or a fly on the wall? Well, Sammy is a spider on the ceiling! This is a good intro to Rosh Hashanah for small children, who will love the big, colorful illustrations. I also like the Sammy Spider series because it portrays spiders in a positive way. Spiders are our friends -- they eat flies and other annoying bugs, and are nothing to be afraid of!

5 comments about The Spring Equinox: Celebrating the Greening of the Earth.

1. great way to explain pagan rites to Children. We will use this in our children's circle. Also briefly mentions Christianity in relation to pagan symbols



2. These Equiox and the Solstice books are cute and fun to read, at the end of the book are crafts and ideas to do with your children for the Equinox. I also like all the history it has in it, I learned quite a bit myself!! :)



3. Another reviewer said this book has crafts or ideas at the end. NOPE!!! It is a set of 1 page stories about how different cultures in the past waited for the suns return. I liked the short tale at the end and the page that explains the science of what makes the seasons change.
   Overall, I found this book too boring to hold the attention of my kids. I expected some fun ideas for the season and the book didn't include any.
   
   Some of the facts were fun and the author nicely tied them to modern day.
   "Romans gave presents to their friends and relatives, like we do now at Christmas." The pictures were also nice and bright.
   This book is completely non-denominational, which is a nice change but not what I expected from the title and description. Sadly, I was kind of hoping that this book would be a good introduction to Yule for kids. It is not!
   The part about sacrificing llamas made my kids angry. I don't really like that they now have to bring that one point up every time we mention Yule.
   While this book isn't a total waste, it is not at all what I had hoped for. I look forward to seeing good books that will actually explain the old holidays to kids. This book just doesn't do it.



4. My son has family members that celebrate both Christian and Pagan holidays. I found this book and others are a great way to put all of our traditions in a historical and equal light. We've been reading it since he was four but I recommend it for 1st graders and older doing a few pages a night.



5. It would be nice to have the whole collection, which I plan to do for my granddaughters. Either to read to them, or have them read on their own, as it's easy to understand. I enjoyed reading it myself.