Kids

Reading Suggestions

Preschool

Horowitz, David. Five Little Gefiltes. JE HOR

Five little gefilte fish sneak out of their jar to explore the world, but Mama Gefilte isn't happy to see her little ones leave.

Jules, Jacqueline. Abraham's Search for God. J 008.2 Abraham JUL

Tells how Abraham, considered the founder of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, was dissatisfied with the religious practice of praying to idols and came to believe in God.

Rosenbaum, Andrea Warmflash. A Grandma Like Yours; a Grandpa Like Yours. J E ROS

Two rhyming stories of wonderful Jewish grandmothers and grandfathers.

Seidman, Lauren. What Makes Someone a Jew? J 221 SEI

Using everyday examples that children can relate to, this colorful book helps all young Jewish readers understand what it really means to be a Jew. A vibrant and fun way for children to develop a broader knowledge of Judaism and the Jewish people.

Shulman, Goldie. Way Too Much Challah Dough. J E SHU

When a girl makes challah for the first time and adds too much yeast to the recipe, the dough grows and grows; her grandmother reminds her of the importance of following directions - told in a rhyming pattern. One challah recipe included.

Topek, Susan Remick. Ten Good Rules: A Counting Book. J E TOP

From one to ten, lists a simplified version of the Ten Commandments.

Elementary (K – 5)

Baker, Sharon Reiss. A Nickel, a Trolley, a Treasure House. J FIC BAKER

Lionel, a Jewish boy growing up in a New York City tenement, draws pictures on every scrap of paper he can find, but he does not see any value in his efforts until his teacher takes him on a streetcar journey to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fagan, Cary. Ten Old Men and a Mouse. J E FAG

The synagogue is no longer a busy, bustling place now that only ten old men come by to pray each day, until the day a mouse makes her home among the holy books and the men find reason to celebrate.

Shalant, Phyllis. When Pirates Came to Brooklyn. J FIC SHALANT

After the friendship between Lee and Polly begins, one filled with imaginary pirates plaguing their 1960 Brooklyn homes, they find themselves struggling to stay together when their mothers' bigotry stands in the way.

.Gadot, A. S. The First Gift. J E GAD

As a boy tells about the first gift his parents gave him, his name, he identifies someone else who had the same name, recalls how names came to be, and lists different names one person might be called. (Includes facts about Jewish naming customs).

Heller, Linda. Castle on Hester Street. J E HEL

Julie's grandmother deflates many of her husband's tall tales about their journey from Russia to America and their life on Hester Street.

Hyde, Heidi Smith. Mendel’s Accordion: The Story of Kezmorim. J E HYD

Mendel's Klezmer Band travels from village to village in Eastern Europe playing happy music and sad music, until hard times force the players to seek a better life in America. Years later, Samuel discovers his grandfather Mendel's accordion in the attic, and a new generation of klezmer music is born.

Kimmel, Eric A. A Picture for Marc. J FIC KIMMEL

Marc, an imaginative Russian boy, discovers his talent for drawing and, with the encouragement of a friend and an art teacher, decides to become an artist. Based loosely on the childhood of Marc Chagall.

Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. Letter on the Wind. J 247.5 LAM

When there is no oil for Chanukah, Hayim, the poorest man in the village, sends the Almighty a letter, asking for help.

Landmann, Bimba. I am Marc Chagall. J BIO CHAGALL 2006

Presents a biography of the Russian artist from his point of view, detailing his struggle to find acceptance for his work and his reasons why he chose the themes he did for his art.

McDonough, Yona Zeldis. Hammerin’ Hank. J BIO GREENBERG, H 2006

Refusing to accept the prejudice attitudes of the time, Henry Benjamin Greenberg pursued his dream of becoming a baseball player in the 1930s--ending up being one of the sports' most celebrated figures and baseball's first Jewish superstar.

Schotter, Roni. The Boy Who Loved Words. J E SCH

Selig, who loves words and copies them on pieces of paper that he carries with him, goes on a trip to discover his purpose.

Stampler, Ann Redisch. Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost. J 190 STA

A retelling of an Eastern European tale in which Shlemazel, the laziest man in town, is tricked into believing that the lucky spoon given to him by a neighbor will bring him fortune and fame, if it is used in the right way.

Kids Corner
	Reading Suggestions Preschool *Horowitz, David. Five Little Gefiltes.* JE HOR Five little gefilte fish sneak out of their jar to explore the world, but Mama Gefilte isn't happy to see her little ones leave. Jules, Jacqueline. Abraham's Search for God. J 008.2 Abraham JUL Tells how Abraham, considered the founder of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, was dissatisfied with the religious practice of praying to idols and came to believe in God. Rosenbaum, Andrea Warmflash. A Grandma Like Yours; a Grandpa Like Yours. J E ROS Two rhyming stories of wonderful Jewish grandmothers and grandfathers. Seidman, Lauren. What Makes Someone a Jew? J 221 SEI Using everyday examples that children can relate to, this colorful book helps all young Jewish readers understand what it really means to be a Jew. A vibrant and fun way for children to develop a broader knowledge of Judaism and the Jewish people. Shulman, Goldie. Way Too Much Challah Dough. J E SHU When a girl makes challah for the first time and adds too much yeast to the recipe, the dough grows and grows; her grandmother reminds her of the importance of following directions - told in a rhyming pattern. One challah recipe included. Topek, Susan Remick. Ten Good Rules: A Counting Book. J E TOP From one to ten, lists a simplified version of the Ten Commandments. Elementary (K – 5) Baker, Sharon Reiss. A Nickel, a Trolley, a Treasure House. J FIC BAKER Lionel, a Jewish boy growing up in a New York City tenement, draws pictures on every scrap of paper he can find, but he does not see any value in his efforts until his teacher takes him on a streetcar journey to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fagan, Cary. Ten Old Men and a Mouse. J E FAG The synagogue is no longer a busy, bustling place now that only ten old men come by to pray each day, until the day a mouse makes her home among the holy books and the men find reason to celebrate. Shalant, Phyllis. When Pirates Came to Brooklyn. J FIC SHALANT** After the friendship between Lee and Polly begins, one filled with imaginary pirates plaguing their 1960 Brooklyn homes, they find themselves struggling to stay together when their mothers' bigotry stands in the way. .Gadot, A. S. The First Gift. J E GAD As a boy tells about the first gift his parents gave him, his name, he identifies someone else who had the same name, recalls how names came to be, and lists different names one person might be called. (Includes facts about Jewish naming customs). *Heller, Linda. Castle on* Hester Street. J E HEL Julie's grandmother deflates many of her husband's tall tales about their journey from Russia to America and their life on Hester Street. Hyde, Heidi Smith. Mendel’s Accordion: The Story of Kezmorim. J E HYD Mendel's Klezmer Band travels from village to village in Eastern Europe playing happy music and sad music, until hard times force the players to seek a better life in America. Years later, Samuel discovers his grandfather Mendel's accordion in the attic, and a new generation of klezmer music is born. Kimmel, Eric A. A Picture for Marc. J FIC KIMMEL Marc, an imaginative Russian boy, discovers his talent for drawing and, with the encouragement of a friend and an art teacher, decides to become an artist. Based loosely on the childhood of Marc Chagall. Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. Letter on the Wind. J 247.5 LAM When there is no oil for Chanukah, Hayim, the poorest man in the village, sends the Almighty a letter, asking for help. Landmann, Bimba. I am Marc Chagall. J BIO CHAGALL 2006 Presents a biography of the Russian artist from his point of view, detailing his struggle to find acceptance for his work and his reasons why he chose the themes he did for his art. McDonough, Yona Zeldis. Hammerin’ Hank. J BIO GREENBERG, H 2006 Refusing to accept the prejudice attitudes of the time, Henry Benjamin Greenberg pursued his dream of becoming a baseball player in the 1930s--ending up being one of the sports' most celebrated figures and baseball's first Jewish superstar. Schotter, Roni. The Boy Who Loved Words. J E SCH Selig, who loves words and copies them on pieces of paper that he carries with him, goes on a trip to discover his purpose. Stampler, Ann Redisch. Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost. J 190 STA** A retelling of an Eastern European tale in which Shlemazel, the laziest man in town, is tricked into believing that the lucky spoon given to him by a neighbor will bring him fortune and fame, if it is used in the right way.