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Kids

Kids

Book Lists

Book Lists

Jewish American Heritage Month Picture Books

Books for kids to about 8 years old.

G, Mister, author.
JEASY G
"Text based on a Hebrew lullaby tells the story of a Jewish refugee family traveling by night to find a safe home in a new land"-- Provided by publisher.

Kimmelman, Leslie, author.
JEASY KIM
A tour of Israel profiles such sites as the Old City of Jerusalem, modern Tel Aviv, and the Biblical Zoo while introducing the region's diverse cultures and customs.

Taback, Simms.
JEASY TAB
A very old overcoat is recycled numerous times into a variety of garments.

Edwards, Michelle, author.
JEASY EDW
Sophia knits a special hat for her elderly neighbor and knitting teacher, Mrs. Goldman.

Markel, Michelle.
J BIO LEMLICH
An illustrated account of immigrant Clara Lemlich's pivotal role in the influential 1909 women laborer's strike describes how she worked grueling hours to acquire an education and support her family before organizing a massive walkout to protest the unfair working conditions in New York's garment district.

Samuel, Sigal, author.
J BIO BARZANI
Osnat Barzani, also known as Asnat or Asenath Barzani, the world's first female rabbi, was born almost five hundred years ago, during a time when few girls were allowed to read. Her father was a great scholar whose house was filled with books, and she convinced him to teach her. She grew up to teach others, becoming a wise and famous scholar in her own right.-- Adapted from inside front jacket flap, Amazon.com, and a Jerusalem Post article about the book.

Perlov, Betty Rosenberg.
JEASY PER
A young girl's family is part of a Yiddish theater performance group active in New York City.

Forest, Heather.
J 398.2 FOR
Unable to stand his overcrowded and noisy home any longer, a man goes to the wise old woman who lives nearby for advice.

Singer, Marilyn, author.
J 811.54 SIN
"This warm and engaging poetry collection that follows a family of five as they discover and celebrate all of the Jewish holidays"-- Provided by publisher.

Behar, Ruth, 1956- author.
J PIC+ SP BEH
Hogar significa esperanza en tiempos de cambio. Hogar significa mazal bueno en un nuevo comienzo. Hogar es una llave a las historias de familia que no se ovidan.

Behar, Ruth, 1956- author.
J PIC+ BEH
Estrella learns about her Cuban and Jewish heritage as she helps her aunt move from her Miami apartment to an assisted living community.

Newman, Lesléa, author.
JEASY NEW
Inside the house, a boy prepares for the Passover ritual of welcoming Elijah--meanwhile, outside the house, a kitten lingers in the cold.

Newman, Tracy, 1971- author.
J BIO PERLMAN
"Before becoming one of the greatest violinists of all time, Itzhak Perlman was simply a boy who loved music. Raised by a poor immigrant family in a tiny Tel Aviv apartment, baby Itzhak was transformed by the sounds from his family’s kitchen radio—graceful classical symphonies, lively klezmer tunes, and soulful cantorial chants. The rich melodies and vibrant rhythms spoke to him like magic, filling his mind with vivid rainbows of color. After begging his parents for an instrument, Itzhak threw his heart and soul into playing the violin. Despite enormous obstacles—including a near-fatal bout of polio that left him crippled for life—Itzhak persevered, honing his extraordinary gift. When he performed on the Ed Sullivan Show sat only 13, audiences around the world were mesmerized by the warmth, joy, and passion in every note. Gorgeously illustrated with extensive back matter, this picture-book biography recounts Itzhak’s childhood journey—from a boy with a dream to an internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso." -- Amazon.com

Leventhal, Ellen, 1951- author.
J BIO FRIEDMAN
"Debbie Friedman always had music inside of her, and she had a dream. She thought music could heal the world and bring people closer. She did something radical and new--created Jewish music that brings the whole Jewish community together"-- Provided by publisher

Michelson, Richard, author.
J BIO GOLDSTEIN
Fanny Goldstein immigrated to America from Russia when she was six. She loved the fact that in her new country she could borrow books for free and take part in all kinds of activities at the Saturday Evening Girls Club. Right away, her curiosity attracted the notice of the club's founder, who was also the head of the Boston Public Library. It wasn't long before Fanny was hired as the librarian's assistant, and then at thirty-three, as the first Jewish director of a Boston branch library. And when Fanny noticed how rarely Jewish families checked out books about their own history, she had an idea that would influence libraries and readers for decades to come: She decided to host a week-long party to celebrate Jewish books and culture. It was such a success that it launched a national event which has continued for 100 years!

Newman, Lesléa, author.
JEASY NEW
"What a happy day! Zachary's baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends! He's so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby's name. But - not yet! - his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until...At last it's time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister's name...What is it? A truly joyful moment for everyone."

Ludwig, Sidura. author.
JEASY LUD
"Melt into the nooks and crannies of this book's unhurried pages, offering a place to rest and a pregnant pause for counting your many blessings--current and imminent! Here, a child and a mother measure, mix, knead, shape, and tuck their dough under a towel like a sleeping baby. Then, as they do every week, they wait while their dough rises, soon to be baked and gratefully shared at a Shabbat gathering with loved ones. Author Sidura Ludwig's poetic narration captures the experience of a Jewish family as they make challah--a lesson in patience, slowing down, faith, and family. Illustrator Sophia Vincent Guy brings light and warmth to the scene, from a sun-bleached, gossamer curtain to the rising steam from the bread, all rendered in delicate, decorative patterns. Whatever their background, readers will be happy to find the author's go-to recipe for challah at the end, along with a glossary and an author's note describing the personal meaning of her family's weekly ritual"--Publisher's website.