The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Leanne Hatch Clarion Books (imprint of HarperCollins), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Freidele Galya Soban Biniashvili   Buy at Bookshop.org   The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah is exactly as its title suggests, and also so much more. A collection of eight free verse poems, one for each night of Hanukkah, each poem centers around the candles themselves and is followed by a thought for that particular night. These thoughts pack in a lot of interesting and useful information that may be new for some readers. For example, the thought for the fourth night explains that the Hanukkah candles are lit on Friday night before the Shabbat candles are lit. The thought for the sixth night describes the placing of the candles from right to left in the hanukkiah and lighting them from left to right (although the illustrations for that night and the last night may be interpreted as depicting the...

A Teddy Bear for Emily -- And President Roosevelt, Too by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe Albert Whitman & Co., 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Amy Blaine   Buy at Bookshop.org A Teddy Bear for Emily — And President Roosevelt, Too is a warm-hearted picture book based on the true story of the Michtom family who, in 1902, created a stuffed bear inspired by and named after U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt. The story begins in Brooklyn with mother Rose and her daughter Emily, seated side-by-side. As Rose models her creation of a handmade stuffed bear, Emily assists with needle and thread and listens to her mother recall the story of her parents’ emigration from Russia and their meeting and courtship in America. Ultimately, Rose and Morris Michtom married and together opened a candy store. The bear Emily and her mother are creating was inspired by a news article about President Roosevelt and his reluctance to shoot a real bear on one of his well-publicized hu...

Speedy and the Race Against Sound by Erez Hadad, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt, translated by Gilah Kahn-Hoffmann Green Bean Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rinat Hadad Siegel   Buy at Bookshop.org   How wonderful it is when an author can take an abstract concept written many years ago and transform it into a contemporary story without being didactic. That is a gift and a skill. Full disclaimer: My last name is also Hadad, but Erez and I are not related, to the best of our knowledge… However, we are good friends, and I am so happy to review his clever, creative, and engaging story, Speedy and the Race Against Sound . While I was expecting some rendition of the old tale of The Tortoise and the Hare, I got a new, fresh outlook on —MIDRASH TEHILLIM 120, which, in short, suggests that words are like arrows; once released, you cannot call them back. Speedy the rabbit is the fastest animal in the forest and has many talents. When Speedy wants to show off his ...

Slow Down, Shoshi!: It's Shabbat in Uganda by Shoshana Nambi, illustrated by Moran Yogev Kalaniot Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Karin Fisher-Golton   Buy at Bookshop.org   In Slow Down, Shoshi! , the protagonist from the acclaimed The Very Best Sukkah is back, with a challenging situation for her energetic nature—slowing down for Shabbat. The story opens lyrically, transporting readers to its rural Ugandan setting, with the sights, sounds, and smells of coffee trees. Shoshi rushes, both during harvest time and as she and her grandfather walk to town to sell coffee beans and buy supplies for Shabbat. Her haste causes her to forget one key element. As she gathers items to replace it, she gets another chance to slow down and, this time, experiences the value of savoring the moment. While portraying a universal and very relatable growth arc about slowing down, author Shoshana Nambi also draws on her upbringing and exposes her audience to life in rural Uganda and t...

The New Sefer Torah Parade by Tzivia Adler, illustrated by Mira Simon Hachai, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Doreen Robinson   Buy at Hachai.com   Told from the point of view of a young child, this beautiful book is about a community celebrating the completion of a new Sefer Torah. The excitement around this event feels genuine as the character explains that when this Torah is ready it will be taken to its new home in the shul (synagogue). And the real excitement (aside from this new Torah) is the community-wide parade with the Torah front and center. The excitement builds as the rabbi, the child’s zeidy, and father each get the honor of writing the last letters in the Sefer Torah until it is complete. The Torah is lifted for all to see and then receives its velvet coat and silver crown. Now it’s ready for the parade, complete with torches, flags, music and a chuppah. Throughout the story, important Hebrew words are used in context, but a glossary at the front is helpf...

Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah by Talia Benamy, illustrated by Aura Lewis Workman Kids, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Bookshop.org Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah is a cute rhyming picture book that takes the reader through the Hanukkah celebration. Youngsters may know the simple preschool song “Twinkle, Twinkle Hanukkah Lights” (based on "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star") which teaches the holiday with a familiar tune and hand motions. This book takes the concept a step further. We start with “Twinkle, twinkle menorah” and read about candles and dreidels. But the book goes beyond the party and talks about some important ideas too: the history, celebrating with family near and far, and placing the menorah in the window to spread the light. The watercolor illustrations by Aura Lewis are sweet and simple, and represents a diversity of skin tones. The afterword discusses the Hanukkah story and all these activities in more detail for the adult reader. This b...

The Mouse Who Loved Latkes written and illustrated by Joy Nelkin Wieder Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Claire Freeland   Buy at Bookshop.org The Mouse Who Loved Latkes tells the story of a mouse who fears his home’s new feline residents, the Katz family. The littlest cat, Kitty, spots the mouse exploring, drawn out of his hole by delicious smells. A “cat and mouse game” ensues. But Kitty is only interested in making a friend. The mouse is torn between worry that Kitty will eat him and curiosity about the delicious doughnut crumbs, chocolate bits, and a strange item that we know is a dreidel. Finally, Kitty convinces the mouse to help make latkes. Now comfortable with Kitty and Mrs. Katz, he runs away once again when he sees Mr. Katz with a scary object but is reassured upon learning that it’s a menorah. The mouse joins the Katz family in lighting the menorah and eating latkes. The twist at the end about why the Katz ...

The Henna Helper by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, illustrated by Yinon Ptahia Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer   Buy at Bookshop.org The theme of The Henna Helper is summed up by its protagonist, Gali, as she waits for her flower girl dress for her cousin Yael’s wedding to be made. Preempted by the henna ceremony which takes place a week before the wedding, Gali bursts out, “Our family doesn’t live in Yemen anymore. Yael is a modern Israeli! Why is she having a henna?” The age-old push-and-pull of old and new, tradition and reinvention is highlighted here. Her grandmother wisely asks Gali to help her prepare for the henna ceremony. Of course, Gali learns the value of retaining traditions and learning about her heritage, even going so far as to declare that when she gets married, she too will have a henna ceremony. When the flower girl dress which her grandmother has sewn is revealed, it also has Yemenite embroider...

Lost and Found Hanukkah by Joy Preble, illustrated by Lisa Anchin Chronicle Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva   Buy at Bookshop.org Lost and Found Hanukkah explores themes of loss, change, and self-determination. Nate is missing his old neighborhood and friends, especially when he discovers that his special menorah has been lost in the move. His Daddy and Abba bring him to a Judaica store to choose a new menorah, and Nate makes friends with Amy, the shopkeeper, and her cat, Kugel. None of the store menorahs catch his eye, and when Kugel escapes, Nate’s focus becomes finding the lost kitty. When he does find and lure her with a fresh latke, Nate discovers a piece of wood to fashion his own menorah. Hanukkah is celebrated and a special guest makes their new apartment feel like home. Lost and Found Hanukkah has literary merit and positive, authentic Jewish content. Anchin’s rich illustrations contain wonderful detail, and a cornucopia of Judaic imagery is ...

Teensy Weensy by Vered Lebber, illustrated by Kinneret Gildar, translated by Gilah Kahn-Hoffmann Green Bean Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Esty Schachter   Buy at Bookshop.org   Israeli import  Teensy Weensy tells a tender story about a girl who nurses a hatchling to health. Gildar’s illustrations are engaging, delicate, and quite beautiful. The quotes the author chose to begin the book are lovely, especially this one by Aviva Zornberg: “Chesed is not just kindness… It is also courage and imagination.” Efrat, the little girl, shows strength, caring and determination, all things I love to see in a main character. She persists, even when others express doubts.    All that said, the science of the book unfortunately doesn’t hold up. A child could not nurse a hatchling to health on her own, and the things she does in the book would in fact be harmful (and also illegal in the U.S. according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.) The adults in the ...

Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Tom Brannon Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jany Finkielsztein   Buy at Bookshop.org   Horton the elephant, first seen in Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who , has been brought back to life very much in character by Leslie Kimmelman, with authentically Seussian illustrations by Tom Brannon.   Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party tells the story of Horton following mysterious sounds (as in Horton Hears a Who ) that lead him to a miniature yet joyful Hanukkah celebration. Through clever rhymes, vibrant pacing, and engagingly bright illustrations, children discover Hanukkah traditions—menorahs, dreidels, and festive foods—along with themes of freedom, community, and believing in yourself.   What stands out most is the book’s deeper message. Horton is uncertain at first, but as in his earlier adventures, through patience and courage he demonstra...

Fairy Godbubbie's Shabbat written and illustrated by Ann Diament Koffsky Intergalactic Afikoman, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Amy Brook Cohen   Buy at Bookshop.org   Fairy GodBubbie’s Shabbat is a gem of a book; beautifully written and vibrantly illustrated. The book tells the story of what happens to young Sara and her parents when they’re visited by a Fairy Godbubbie on a mission. Fairy Godbubbie desires to bring magic into every home during Shabbat. She starts by freezing all electronic devices - dad’s laptop, mom’s phone, and Sara’s iPad. She also provides the family with Shabbat candles and sets the table with challah, wine, Kiddush cups and a whole dinner, too. Even when each family member is showing clear signs of screen time withdrawal, they are left with no other choice than to enjoy spending time together and to embrace the magic of Shabbat. When Shabbat comes to a close, Fairy Godbubbie gives the family a Havdalah candle, spices, and grape juice and sings ...

The Bagel Who Wanted Everything written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg Viking Books for Young Readers, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules   Buy at Bookshop.org   Once upon a time, all bagels were just one thing. Plain bagels were only plain. Sesame bagels were only sesame. Onion were only onion. So on and so forth. Each type of bagel believed they were the one thing they were meant to be. Until one day a plain bagel questioned this idea. It was boring to be just one thing. What was wrong with being more? When the plain bagel began experimenting, the result was hilarious. All the bagels, including the plain bagel, “roared and rocked and rolled around” laughing. In the process, their crunchy bagel bits fell off. And an entirely new flavor of bagel was born which was very definitely not one thing: the Everything Bagel. This witty story of self-actualization is delightfully brought to life by Alan Silberberg. His illustrations are wacky, colorful, and jus...

The Remembering Candle by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Selina Alko Barefoot Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules   Buy at Bookshop.org   With direct, yet childlike language, a young narrator shares how his family observes the first yahrzeit of their beloved grandfather. Together, the family lights the candle at sundown. Little sister Elsie wants to blow it out like a birthday candle until Mom explains that this candle isn’t for wishes. A yahrzeit candle is made to last twenty-four hours, long enough to spend some thoughtful time remembering a loved one. Through touching illustrations and text, the narrator recalls fond memories, such as how his grandfather loved to gaze through a telescope at night. The imagery of stars is woven into the story as the text compares the many memories shared throughout the book to shining lights in the sky. This thought is accompanied by a lovely illustration depicting the family as constellations. The last lines of t...

Dancing on Memories by Freda Lewkowicz, illustrated by Sally Anne Garland Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ronda Einbinder   Buy at Bookshop.org   In her younger years, Nana swirled and twirled across the stage as a prima ballerina. She soared like a swan. But now she is illustrated standing alone in the bottom corner of the page with her gray hair and drooping eyes as the memory thief has come. The story is told through the voice of her granddaughter, Sarah, who tells the reader about how she and her grandmother once baked challah together for Shabbat. “We’re braided together, just like challah,” Grandma says, hugging Sarah. They once danced together like flickering flames on a Hanukkah menorah—but now the memory thief has stolen bits and pieces of Nana. They no longer dance together. Sarah asks, “How can I help her remember?” And an idea pirouettes in her thoughts. Nana remembers long ago better than yesterday....

With a Needle & Thread: A Jewish Folktale from Cuba by Jennifer Stempel, illustrated by Libi Axelrod Kalaniot Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman   Buy at Bookshop.org Reminiscent of the traditional folktale "Something From Nothing," a young girl learns to sew from her grandmother, carrying this skill through life as she uses remnants of her outgrown childhood dress for beautiful creations: a baby blanket for a bris, a tallit for a bar mitzvah, and a chuppah cover for her own wedding. Finally she enlarges a tablecloth for shared meals by enlisting everyone to bring whatever scraps they can. Although this is a land of hardship and scarcity, we experience the love and close dependence within this small remnant of a Jewish community. Here nothing goes to waste, recycling is of the essence. Backmatter includes a glossary, map of the island, a recipe for a traditional chicken dish, and a brief history and a description of Jewish life in Cuba. The bo...

Shabbat Is... by A.J. Sass, illustrated by Noa Kelner Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Bookshop.org   In "Shabbat is ..." A.J. Sass shows children that there is no one right way to be Jewish. Jews come from a diverse population with many backgrounds and personalities. This book follows three very different families as they celebrate the Sabbath in their own way. Different pages alternate first person narrative about how they spend Shabbat. By telling the story in first person point of view for all three kids, any Jewish child will find a character to identify with. The text and the art pair perfectly to send the message that there are many different types of people who are Jewish and many ways to celebrate Shabbat, reinforced by the vibrant, colorful, detailed illustrations by Noa Kelner. Just as the traditions that these families choose when they celebrate Shabbat differ, the families are different in composi...

The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot written and illustrated by Ann Diament Koffsky Green Bean Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jodie Sadowsky   Buy at Bookshop.org   Jakey, Joey, and Jennie are three not-so-little sheep who’ve outgrown their family’s sukkah. This Sukkot, it’s time for them to build their own. Like the characters in the well-known fairy tale The Three Little Pigs, each brings their own personality to the celebration. Jakey builds his sukkah with straw for a solo silo, Joey uses sticks for a hut big enough to share with a friend, and Jennie goes all out with elaborate columns and bricks to welcome a crowd. As readers may expect, a wolf shows up and ruins the more delicate sukkahs with his huffing and puffing. Readers will be surprised by what comes next — Wolfie doesn’t want to eat the three little sheep, he only wants to be included in their Sukkot festivities! The sheep welcome him in, and a funny and adorable dialogue and friendship ensues....

A Sukkah for Bella by Jodie Sadowsky, photos by Frannie Wilson Lovevery, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Amazon.com   This cute nonfiction early reader introduces children to the holiday of Sukkot. Bella explains to the reader that her family is Jewish and she is excited to help the family build a sukkah, and we follow along as they build it together. Bella describes the holiday, the sukkah, and a few of the customs to the readers. Her explanations are appropriate for the intended reader who would be in early elementary school. A few of the sentences are written in a simpler, bigger font allowing emergent readers who are listening to the book to read a few sentences for themselves. A few words are written in large colorful font which will appeal to these youngsters. However, there are also a few fine print insets which give parents further explanations and definitions of the few Hebrew words. Kids will identify with Bella because she wants to help,...

Kayla and Kugel's Super Sweet Rosh Hashanah written and illustrated by Ann D. Koffsky Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Book Reviewer: Judy Ehrenstein Buy at Bookshop.org Kayla and her dog Kugel set off for the farmer’s market to get ready for Rosh Hashanah in this richly illustrated book for newly independent readers. Kugel runs in circles, which Kayla equates with the round challahs for the holiday, and accidentally knocks over honey jars, an example of a mistake in need of an apology. Other holiday related things included are the blowing of a shofar, picking apples, and taschlich. A note to readers offers up some discussion questions and a brief glossary. This story, part of a series, offers Jewish children age appropriate ways to connect to the preparations and meaning of Rosh Hashanah. The humorous antics of Kugel are used to convey some facts, which Kayla clearly understands and takes joy in sharing, although they are not particularl...