The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

My Dreidel written and illustrated by Ann Koffsky Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Mirele Kessous Buy at Bookshop.org My Dreidel by Ann Diament Koffsky is a very short board book for the youngest readers (ages 0-3). The length and wording are just right for this younger set. A puppy attempts to spin a dreidel but needs a parent’s help to succeed, and the power of persistence prevails. The sound effects “Plop!” will engage the young readers who will enjoy spinning and throwing themselves down on the floor along with the puppy narrator. The side note about the meaning of the letters on the dreidel could have benefitted from including the actual Hebrew phrase. The book is an authentic portrayal of Jewish life, not adhering to any particular stream, although Haredi or Black Hat readers will probably not appreciate dogs wearing kippot as the main characters. A charming and simple Hanukkah book for the tots in your life. Are you i

Friends to the Rescue by Ellen Schwartz, illustrated by Alison Mutton Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Lisa Trank Buy at Bookshop.org In  Friends to the Rescue , a poignant illustrated novel, the story unfolds in the aftermath of the devastating 2009 earthquake that ravaged the Italian town of Fossa. Young Luca, orphaned by a car accident, lives with his grandfather, Roberto, when the disaster strikes. Their trauma is compounded by the town's collective grief. The early chapters introduce Antonio, Luca's braver best friend, and portray the community's unwavering resilience as they come together to aid the injured and rescue the trapped. A turning point arrives with the discovery of a beloved townswoman's body. This prompts a flashback to 1943, when Nazi Germany occupied Italy. Roberto, then a young man, witnesses the persecution of Italian Jews. His family risks their lives to harbor the Rosettis, including Sara,

The Best Treasure by Sherri Mandell, illustrated by Tamara Anegon Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer Buy at Bookshop.org Friends Mo (a hippopotamus) and Gavi (a kangaroo) set out on a treasure-finding expedition, but they don’t have the same definition of treasure. While Gavi sees the value in everything from discarded tin cans to acorns to popsicle sticks, Mo only sees junk. In an adorable and apt use of a kangaroo’s pouch, Gavi uses his “pocket” to store his treasures. As the two friends head home, the items in Gavi’s pocket make a sound that Mo hears as noise, but Gavi hears as music. Persuaded, Mo joins Gavi in dancing to the music. When they return home, Mo says that he also found treasure on this walk, the best treasure of all: friendship. Based on the Jewish proverb, “Who finds a faithful friend finds a treasure,” this sweet story is surprisingly layered. It offers lessons in perspective (what

Mr. Katz and Me by Marc Kornblatt, illustrated by Nanette Regan Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Merle Eisman Carrus Buy at Bookshop.org Mr. Katz and Me is wonderful story about friendship. Sarah is the daughter of a b’nai mitzvah tutor. Her father lets her listen in as he tutors the many students who come through their home preparing for their special day. When a new student comes for his first lesson, Sarah is surprised to see he is an older man. At first Sarah is not very understanding or friendly to Mr. Katz. As the lessons continue Sarah joins Mr. Katz and learns how special he is. Growing up in Russia, he had to hide his religious affiliation, but now at the age of eighty one he is excited to become a bar mitzvah. Sarah and Mr. Katz become friends as he continues coming to the house for tutoring. She learns that patience and understanding about other people can lead to true friendship. The age difference makes

The Baddest Wolf of All? by David Sherrin, illustrated by Martín Morón  Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules  Buy at Bookshop.org Wolf feels he must live up to his big bad name, except he enjoys doing nice things like carrying bags for Red Riding Hood. In order to become the Big Bad Wolf he believes the world expects, he asks an Evil Queen to be his teacher. She instructs him to give Snow White a poison apple. Wolf thinks this will be an easy task until he meets Snow White and finds her charming. Unable to stop himself, he helps her out in the kitchen and dances with her. When it comes time to offer the poison apple, Wolf decides he can’t hurt someone who has been so friendly to him. Soon after, Wolf learns (to his surprise) that his real name is Badrick and “Bad” was just a nickname. This means he doesn’t have to be bad if it makes him unhappy. The Baddest Wolf of All? is a visually appealing book. Th

Challah, Challah, For You and Me by Barbara Bietz and June Sobel, illustrated by Ruth Waters Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Sarah Aronson Buy at Bookshop.org Everyone loves challah! And because of that, everyone will love this new book for the very young, Challah, Challah, For You and Me . In the simple and joyful text, Bietz and Sobel offer young readers all the yummy ways to make and enjoy challah. Rhymes are pleasing. The art is bright and definitely helps keep the reader engaged. Kids will love pointing out the colorful challah, a heart-shaped chocolate chip challah, and of course, challah French toast (my favorite). In their author’s note, Bietz and Sobel write: "Challah has been a special—and yummy—part of Jewish traditions for thousands of years. The blessing for challah reminds us to be grateful for the bread we eat. From classic braided challah on Shabbat and round challah on Rosh Hashanah to heart-shaped and ra

Lucky Penny by Aimee Lucido, illustrated by Jon Davis Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishing), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Leah Cypess Buy at Bookshop.org When Penny (the girl) picks up a face-down penny (the coin), her best friend warns her that she’s in for a run of bad luck. Penny doesn’t believe it. She’s done a lot to ensure that she has a lucky day—a day that will hopefully end with her being chosen to blow the shofar at her school’s Rosh Hashanah picnic. But a cascade of disasters seems to prove that Penny’s luck really has gone bad. Can she turn it around? Penny’s earnest efforts and inevitable mishaps are authentic and fun to read about. The charming illustrations complement the story perfectly, making this a delighful—and definitely Jewish—chapter book. This fun, fast-moving story incorporates a number of Rosh Hashanah traditions, from shofar to honey cake to Tashlich, with a light but meaningful touch.  Ed. note: This early chapter book was i

The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Felisha Henditirto Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner Buy at Bookshop.org In  The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah , Jane Yolen relates the tale of a distant relative, Rochel-Leah, who grew up illiterate in the shtetl in the 1830s until her great longing to read pushed her to beg, sneak around, and eventually find a way to learn Hebrew. Intially barred from cheder because she was a girl, eventually Rochel-Leah becomes a teacher herself. She's depicted with great spunk and affection. Henditirto's illustrations nicely support the text. Most of the colors of clothing, furniture, and the forest in and around Rochel-Leah's home are subdued, but her dreams of reading--as well as the contents of books--are suffused with a lovely glow, sparkling with holiness and joy. While the story presents two solid messages -- "Torah learning is f

Robot Shabbat by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Dave Williams Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Kathryn Hall Buy at Bookshop.org This short picture book is about a young girl who, from the illustrations, appears to be white and to live on another planet. She builds a robot, prepares for Shabbat, and celebrates with the help of the robot, her parents, and a cat. No other humans or other living creatures are seen, but there are flowers which seem non-terrestrial. The simple repeating rhymes tell some of the story, but much of the message is carried by the cheerful child-friendly art, which show futuristic colorful clothing (think Star Trek), long sleeves and pants, and a father in a kippah. There is a touch of whimsy when the robot lights the Shabbat candles with its finger. This book is suitable for very young children. The book includes a brief afterward about Shabbat, and the story does a nice job of carrying the idea of

Avital the Pirate by Pamela Moritz, illustrated by Damien Jones Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton Buy at Bookshop.org When Avital's great uncle, the Pirate Brownbeard, visits shortly before Rosh Hashanah, she joins him for an adventure. At first she has fun sharing culture with the pirates. She blow the shofar for them and they teach her some pirate songs. The author Pamela Moritz mentions kid-friendly titles of a couple of pirate standards that are sure to make older readers laugh. But when she finds out that the pirates plan to steal treasure from other people, Avital lectures her uncle that stealing is wrong. And when they run across a ship with an elderly crew, she stresses that it is a mitzvah to respect old people. She teaches the crew ways to enjoy themselves without hurting people. The cute colorful illustrations by Damien Jones show a ship full of smiling pirates having fun. The brigh, bold a

The Treasure of Tel Maresh by Tammar Stein, illustrated by Barbara Bongini Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Merle Eisman Carrus   Buy at Bookshop.org What a delightful story about a family trip to Israel. The Treasure of Tel Maresha shares two stories of young girls in Israel at different times in history. Becca Goldstein is on vacation with her family, visiting an archaeological dig site in Tel Maresha, Israel. She has come reluctantly on this trip with her brother, Ben and their parents. She feels like she is missing something more fun with her friends back home in Massachusetts. Becca perks up as she begins to learn about the ancient civilization that existed in this area centuries ago. The tour guide explains how families built homes of limestone dug from the ground and the resulting caveswere cool places for storage of food and other goods. In an alternate storyline, Rebeka and her brother Benjamin are living in Maresha t

Max and the Not-So-Perfect Apology by Carl Harris Shuman, illustrated by Rory Walker and Michael Garton Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judy Greenblatt Max has a time machine – one that works! Author Carl Harris Shulman use this device, in this third title in the Torah Time Travel Series, to draw his audience in. Max takes off in it to seek solace after a fight with his best friend. He’s especially sad and angry because she has made a new friend, and won’t come with him. This trip lands him in the middle of the biblical Jacob story, which just happens to be the story his class is working on. It was this class project that started his disagreement with his special friend. The argument led each of them to say things they didn’t mean, but neither could find a way to apologize. Enter Jacob, here called Jake, a man who is estranged from his brother, but who wants to mend the relationship. As Max talks to Jacob about his struggle to

My Mezuzah written and illustrated by Ann D. Koffsky Apples & Honey Press (Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Judy Ehrenstein Buy at Bookshop.org A young rabbit jumps up and down in an effort to touch an interior mezuzah in this board book. After several not-quite-high-enough attempts, Mommy comes to save the day by little up her little bunny, and the mezuzah is kissed at last. Uncluttered illustrations feature a palette of bright blue, yellow, and orange. An afterword depicts several designs of mezuzot and a brief explanation of what one is and how it marks a Jewish space. This is clearly a book for a Jewish audience, as a knowledge of why a child would want to kiss a mezuzah is needed; there is nothing in the text or endnote to explain why this is done. The persistence shown is fairly brief and there is no problem-solving included before the mother steps in to assist. This book has a very limited text and the majority of the explicit Jewish content is in the e

Waiting for Lumpy by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Teresa Ramos Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules   Buy at Bookshop.org Waiting for Lumpy begins in winter when Ella’s parents announce that a new baby is coming. As the current baby of the family, Ella isn’t sure she likes this news. Her older brother, Robby, on the other hand, is happy to suggest names for the new baby such as Frogella or Horseradish after his favorite Passover food. In summer, when Mommy’s figure becomes round, Ella says they should name the baby, Lumpy. She also complains that there is not room anymore for her to sit on her mother’s lap. Finally, it is Rosh Hashanah and the family welcomes their long awaited new addition. They choose both an English name and a Hebrew name to announce at a naming ceremony held in the synagogue on Shabbat.    This delightful early reader in seven short chapters goes through not only the seasons of

Saliman and the Memory Stone by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Yinon Ptahia Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Karen Shakman Buy at Bookshop.org Saliman and the Memory Stone joins a growing collection of recent books for children that paint a  diverse picture of Israeli Jews. In 1841, a young boy travels from his home in Yemen to resettle in Jerusalem as part of the First Aliyah. Young Saliman is sad to leave, afraid he will not remember his home and his village. Before he goes, he tells the goats he will always remember them and pockets a loose stone from his house and calls it his memory stone. Thus begins a journey to retain his past while heading toward his future. Lyon’s language is lyrical, capturing both the difficulty of the journey and a palpable sense of a loving family and tight-knit community, even as they must endure a long and arduous journey (which is helpfully illustrated in a map at the end of the book). Throughout

Matzah Ball Chase by Rachelle Burk, illustrated by Brittany Lakin Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishers), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Chava Pinchuck Buy at Bookshop.org There is, of course, “On Top of Spaghetti.” Then there’s The Matzah Man by Naomi Howland (Clarion Books, 2002), The Matzo Ball Boy by Lisa Shulman (Puffin Books, 2007), and The Ball of Clay that Rolled Away by Elizabeth Lenhard (Two Lions, 2012). This latest tale of silliness and runaway Jewish food has a different spin. The rhyming couplets describe the pursuit of Savta’s matzah ball through Israel, from the amazing Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem (the City of Gold), then to the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and Masada. The matzah ball finally ends up in Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel, and playful dolphins take it out in the Red Sea. The moral of the story – make matza squares instead of balls! The use of “savta” as grandmother will alert the reader that the

Mighty Micah by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Steliyana Doneva Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall Buy at Bookshop.org As Micah returns home from a Purim party, he recalls how powerful he’d felt when he whirled his gragger (Purim noisemaker). With it, he could “stand up to anyone – even that bad man Haman!” That night, while Micah is asleep, his gragger is carried off by a raccoon, then a fish, then a heron. Before school that morning, however, it is returned to the lawn in front of Micah’s home. In school, Micah shows the gragger to his teacher, Mrs. Mack, who tells the class how Brave Queen Esther saved her people from the evil Haman. Mrs. Mack adds that “everyone needs to feel powerful sometimes” and gives the gragger to the smallest girl in the class. Story and language are cute and clear, combining elements of a “lost mitten” folktale with an anti-bullying story and a tie-in to Purim. A rhyming refrain abo

Benjy's Messy Room by Barbara Diamond Goldin, illustrated by Rita Tan Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules Buy at Bookshop.org Benjy is a pack rat and his bedroom is littered with toys. This is not a good combination the day before Passover. His big sister, Naomi, warns him that their parents expect a clean room before the Passover hunt for breadcrumbs that night. Hoping for the fun of last year, when he was allowed to lead the hametz hunt with a candle, Benjy decides to tackle the big job of cleaning his room. When his little sister, Shira, interrupts his resolve with a plea to play, Benjy comes up with a game to practice for the hametz hunt. He hides balls of paper around his room for Shira to find. In the process, big brother and little sister clean up a messy bedroom just before dark. With colorful, expressive illustrations, Benjy’s Messy Room is a joyous story of preparing for Passover. Benjy teaches his

Matzah Man to the Rescue! by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Charlie Fowkes Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton Buy at Bookshop.org “Never Fear, Matzah Man is here.” Eric Kimmel is one of the most prolific picture book authors around. With over 150 books to his credit, he has been delighting children for fifty years. Many of his books about Jewish holidays or topics, but most are folktale retellings. Now we have something completely different. Instead of a folktale, he has spun a modern Passover story based on pop culture superheroes. Kids might recognize Superman or Batman, but older family members will recognize Underdog as well. This wacky book has Matzah Man flying around the world to help save three different seders with missing symbols. Along the way, readers will learn about vegetarian alternatives to the shank bone, varieties of matzah, and the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic charoset. Matzah Man co

Listen, Sh'ma by Rabbi Alyson Solomon, illustrated by Bryony Clarkson Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Belinda Brock Buy at Bookshop.org Author Alyson Solomon and illustrator Bryony Clarkson, the same team who created Thank You: Modeh Ani , are back with the equally lovely picture book Listen: Sh'ma . The cover with its sweet sleepyheads tucked into beds against a starry sky (continued on the end papers) lets us know that this is a bedtime story. A note in the front tells us that sh'ma means "listen" in Hebrew and the book is inspired by the Jewish prayer about oneness and love, traditionally said before going to sleep (as well as in the morning and on other occasions). The book breaks down the word sh'ma into its individual soothing sounds and relates them to a young child's comforting bedtime routine: a warm bath, fresh jammies, cuddles, and many more moments of calm and contentment. The various