Great books to give as gifts this holiday season!

Here are some of my favorite informational picture books that would make wonderful gifts for this holiday season for your young readers!

The Boy who loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos 

by Deborah Heiligman and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Meet Paul, a young boy who loves math. All he can do is think about numbers all day long. Read about his story in picture book format about how he found his way in the world by making friends and sharing his ideas. Learn how he grew to be one of the most famous mathematicians ever.

Recommended reading for ages 4-8 yrs.

The Man with the Violin 

by Kathy Stinson Illustrated by Dusan Petricic, Postscript by Joshua Bell

Dylan noticed things. Unfortunately his mom didn’t. One Friday in January in Washington D.C. while taking the metro train, Dylan noticed a man with a violin. He wanted to stop and listen, but his mother said no. He thought about that man all day and the beautiful music that he played. He could hear the notes in his head. Once home that evening, he finds out that the young man in the station was a famous violinist, Joshua Bell, who was down at the metro giving a free concert. But why did nobody listen? A beautiful and compelling story about remembering to open our eyes and our ears and notice the beauty that surrounds us.

Recommended for ages 4-8 but even teens and adults will enjoy this one too!

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein 

by Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

It is not an easy feat to describe one of the most intelligent men in the world to young minds. This is an informational book in picture book format giving an overview of Albert Einstein’s life beginning with a young boy riding his bicycle but really wondering about how he could travel the speed of light. An incredible book that journeys the reader through Albert Einstein’s life through curiosity, laughter and self discovery.

Recommended for ages 6-9 yrs.

Jumping Penguins and Laughing Hyenas 

by Marije Tolman

Did you know that a sloth moves so slowly that green algae grows in it’s fur? This is a fabulous informational book, great for common core, that gives funny, disgusting, unbelievable, and weird facts about 50 different animals. These facts are pretty straightforward and the illustrations are pure fantasy. I give this one five stars!
Recommended for ages 5 and up. 

Thanksgivukkah

On November 28, for the first time ever, although there is some dispute over this and some say it won’t happen again until 2070, Jews around the world will celebrate the first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving together. Thus, Thanksgivukkah!! Have you heard of potato latkes with cranberry sauce and turkey? Or how about sweet potato latkes or cranberry applesauce?

Ok, let’s put food aside and talk some great books. There are some wonderful children books to help us celebrate the festival lights. Below is my list with some of my favorites as well as new books for this year. Those books with an asterisk are for families who celebrate both holidays.

Hanukkah Books in alphabetical order by author

Our Candle by Eve Bunting

Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap by Deborah Cohen

Hanukkah Moon by Deborah da Costa

Papa’s Latkes by Michelle Edwards

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser

Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah by Linda Glaser

Just enough is plenty: A Hanukkah tale by Barbara Goldin

The Best Hanukkah Ever by Barbara Goldin

*Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara Goldman

Gracie's Night: A Hanukkah Story by Lynn Taylor Gordon

Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat by Naomi Howland

Asher and the Capmakers: A Hanukkah story by Eric Kimmel

The Chanukah Guest by Eric Kimmel

Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel ( a revised version of the above book)

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel

The Magic Dreidels by Eric Kimmel

Zigazak: A Magical Hanukkah Night by Eric Kimmel

The Runaway Latkes by Leslie Kimmelman

Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah  by Jamie Korngold

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky

The Hanukkah Mice by Steven Kroll

A Great miracle Happened There by Karla Kuskin

Nathan Blows out the Hanukkah Candles by Tami Lehman-Wilzig

Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story by Fran Manushkin

Moishe’s Miracle: A Hanukkah Story by Laura Melmed

It’s Hanukkah by Jeanne Modesitt

* Light the Lights! A Story about celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman

Runaway Dreidel by Leslea Newman

*My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story by Danielle Novak

*My Two Grandmothers by Effin Older

The Miracle of the Potato Latkes: A Hanukkah Story by Malka Penn

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Hanukah Money by Uri Shulevitz

The Hanukkah Hop by Erica Silverman

Hanukkah: A Counting Book by Emily Sper

Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster by Jane Sutton

The Eighth Menorah  by Lauren Wohl

Beni’s First Chanukah by Jane Zalben

* Stories that celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas

Poetry Books:

Hanukkah lights: A Holiday Poetry by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert

Calling all bookworms!

Kelsey Green, Reading Queen by Claudia Mills and Illustrated by Rob Shepperson

Kelsey Green, Reading Queen, is there really such a thing? Absolutely. Check out this fabulous early chapter book, recommended for grades 2-4 for girls who loved Clementine, Ivy and Bean and Judy Moody.

Kelsey Green is a 3rd grader and she loves to read. The principal has just announced that there will be a school wide reading contest and Kelsey wants to win! The winning grade gets a pizza party but if the school reads a total of 2000 books in four weeks the principal, who looks like Santa Claus, promises to shave off his beard. Kelsey's goal is to win both!

This adorable story is a great read, especially for those who love to read. Kelsey is a funny character with some neat friends. In fact, this is a new series by author, Claudia Mills, which will be showcasing Kelsey's friends in her next installments. Annika loves to solve math problems for fun and Izzy is the fastest runner in the school. Three best friends who love to take on all sorts of
challenges. Look for the Annika Riz, Math Whiz and Izzy Barr, Running Star. But not before you read all about Kelsey Green of course!

Don't Sneeze at the Wedding

“Press lip, wiggle earlobe, say ‘pineapple’, tap forehead, pinch nose, don’t sneeze!” These are the different pieces of advice that Anna has received during the day and must remember in order to not sneeze during her Aunt Rachel’s wedding. Why? Because she has the very important job of being the flower girl. This is a darling story with colorful and animated illustrations that go through the day before a traditional Jewish wedding. Anna, dressed in her little pink dress, pink shoes with pink flowers in her hair, doesn’t want to ruin the day with a loud sneeze. But guess where she ends up sneezing, only the Rabbi knows. Another fabulous PJ library book that not only goes through the events of a day leading up to a Jewish wedding but has short explanations of the customs and symbols. Don’t Sneeze at the Wedding is a delightful story showing the humor of families and the joy of weddings. I loved this book! 

Check out more from this author and illustrator

By author, Pamela Mayer:

The Scariest Monster in the Whole Wide World

The Grandma Cure

By illustrator, Martha Aviles:
The Shabbat Princess

Say Hello, Lily

Abuelita: Full of Life

Stones for Grandpa (a recent publication)

The Fiesta Dress

New Beginnings

New Beginnings for Rosh Hashanah

Back-To-School is a time for new beginnings.  For the Jewish community, it is also a time to start fresh with a new year in the Hebrew calendar called Rosh Hashanah (starting the evening of September 4^th).  On Rosh Hashanah, we celebrate the creation of the world while dipping apples in honey to represent a sweet year ahead.  What better way to think about fresh starts then through some fabulous children’s books?  

PJ Library® is a local program that sends free Jewish books and music to the homes of children in the Bay Area.  Here are some PJ Library® favorites that teach children about the values and traditions of Rosh Hashanah through wonderful stories: 

Apples and Honey by Joan Jolub and Illustrated by Cary Pillo (published 2003)

This sweet lift-the-flap book follows a family as they prepare for Rosh Hashanah. There is so much to do from making holiday cards, baking challah, eating apples and honey and going to temple to hear the Shofar. Each page offers an interactive page for a young reader to enjoy. This story is a lovely introduction of the holiday for children, ages 2-6.

Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride by Deborah Cohen Illustrated by Shahar Kober (published 2008)

A playful introduction of Rosh Hashanah through a story about Israel’s first train from Jaffa to Jerusalem.  Follow along and see all the special deliveries Engineer Ari makes as he arrives in Jerusalem in time to celebrate the New Year. This story uses all the traditional symbols of Rosh Hashanah from the apples and honey, round challahs, and the Shofar. Recommended for children, ages 4 and up.

The World’s Birthday by Barbara Goldin and Illustrated by Jeanette Winter (published 1990)

Daniel is determined to have a birthday party for the world to celebrate the Jewish New Year. But how can you have a party and invite the whole world? That is just too many people. See how Daniel celebrates the Jewish New Year with his family and includes the whole world in the celebration. Recommended for children, ages 4-8

New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Wayland and Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch (published 2009)

On Rosh Hashanah, Izzy and his family make a list of all their wrongdoings from the year. Then they apologize for them and throw pieces of bread into the water as a way to “clean the slate” or clear their hearts which is called Taslich.  This is a must read story that truly shows the importance of reflection and forgiveness. Recommended for children, ages 5-8. Winner of the Sydney Taylor Gold Medal for best Jewish picture book of the year!

The Secret Shofar of Barcelona by Jacqueline Greene and Illustrated by Doug Chayka (published 2009)

This special story takes place in the late 1500’s when Don Fernando, the conductor of the Royal Orchestra of Barcelona, prepares a concert to celebrate the Spanish colonies in the New World. Meanwhile his son, Rafael, secretly practices blowing the Shofar despite laws forbidding Jews from practicing their religion.  Rafael must decide whether he can blow the Shofar while his father’s Orchestra performs. A beautiful story that includes historical facts and a glossary to help explain what life was life during that period of time. Recommended for children, ages 6 and up.

While taking time to prepare for the year ahead, remember to take some quiet moments to read to your children.  PJ Library® is an amazing resource in our community that helps introduce Jewish values and traditions through reading.  These books will quickly become cherished bedtime stories. 

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

Exclamation Mark!

 

Exclamation Mark! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

This is a story about an exclamation point, really? It is about learning how to fit in, stand out, help others, as well as find your way in life. It is a fabulous picture book that is cleverly written by a bestselling dynamic duo team with simple illustrations that really relay the story perfectly. Read this wonderful picture book in the classroom as a grammar lesson. Read this picture book as a read aloud, or as a story to help children learn about their own unique qualities.  I recommend this story for all ages! Run, don’t walk to your nearest library and check this fabulous book out!

Cloudette

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld

Nothing is wrong with being small. Meet Cloudette, a small little cloud that wants to make a difference in the world. Follow her on some adventures to do some greatness and the friends she meets along the way.

A wonderful story about accepting who you are, no matter what your size is and that everyone can make a difference in the world. The whimsy illustrations are done in ink, pastel colored pencils and watercolors. This is a fabulous read aloud that will make for many great discussions.

Recommended for ages 3-7 yrs. old.

Check out some other great books illustrated by Tom Lichtenfeld:
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Exclamation Mark!
Duck! Rabbit!
Shark vs. Train 

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

It is 1934 and Mrs. Harkness has never seen a panda, not many people have. Her husband has just set out to bring the first panda back to the United States from China. Unfortunately during his expedition he dies trying to find one. Mrs. Harkness then decides she must go to China to bring home the first panda and finish what her husband had started. Read this remarkable story about a strong-willed woman on a mission that actually shapes American attitudes towards wildlife.

The illustrations are creative and very unique. The illustrator, Melissa Sweet, used mixed media with exuberant watercolors and collages. In fact she used a collection of papers that she actually purchased on a trip to China. She also included real photographs of Mrs. Harkness and the panda she brought home, Su Lin (which means, 'a little bit of something very cute').

The author, Alicia Potter, includes a Chronology of Events as well as an Author's Note in the story which explain the history of Mrs. Harkness's expedition. Recommended for ages 5-8.

Author Greg Foley

Meet Bear

Greg Foley, a creative author and illustrator has created a set of books about a little bear. In these four books, the author’s theme for his stories is about the importance of friendship. Since I’m a librarian, I don’t purchase a lot of books. I check them out and read them over and over again from the library. But if ever there were books to purchase, these would be the ones to have on your child’s bookshelf, all four of them in fact. They are wonderful!

Who is Greg Foley, he is a young guy who grew up in Austin Texas. He comes from a family of educators and is also one himself. His first picture book, Thank you Bear, won the prestigious Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picture book. His background is art and his illustrations are done in line art, which are then digitally rendered from pencil sketches. While they are so simple and there isn’t a lot on each page, they are very sweet and really tell the story.

Thank you Bear  (Published in 2007)

Thank you Bear was Greg’s first book introducing the character bear.  Bear is a sweet little simple fellow. He finds a small box that he thinks will be perfect for his friend mouse. Unfortunately he gets a lot of criticism from his other friends about the box not being that great. It’s a box. But once mouse sees the box, he loves it. In this story we learn about the importance of true friendship. 

Don’t worry bear (Published in 2008)

In his next story bear befriends a caterpillar that is busy making her cocoon. Bear doesn’t understand the importance of the cocoon and worries about the caterpillar because he can’t see her while she is inside of the cocoon. She tells him not to worry, that he will see her again soon. But he just doesn’t understand. Will he ever see his friend the caterpillar again? Once again, the author has created another simple but lovely story about friendship. 

Good luck Bear (Published in 2009)

In Foley’s third story, Good luck Bear, we learn about luck. Bear is trying to find a four-leaf clover because he knows that will bring him luck. But none of his friends are willing to help him look for it, except of course mouse. Who in the end finds something even better than the four-leaf clover? You will have to read the story to see.

Make a wish bear (Published in 2012)

In Foley’s last installment of Bear, the importance of friendship is stressed yet again. Bear makes a wish upon a star and waits for his wish to come true. Try to guess what that wish might be. It has to do with all of his friends.

Truly these stories are just fabulous and I’m eagerly awaiting more bear books from this talented author and illustrator, Greg Foley.

If you want to know more about him check out his website at:

www.thankyoubear.com

Personally I can’t wait to see what Greg Foley creates next…

Creatrilogy Set by Peter Reynolds

Check out this beautifully boxed set of three hardcover picture books that celebrate the power of original thinking!

The Dot – Is the first book in this wonderful little series by Peter Reynolds. Meet Vashti. Vashti, isn’t an artist, she can’t draw. But her art teacher wants her to create something on a piece of paper. But Vashti insists that she can’t draw. Instead she places a dot on a piece of paper. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey into self-discovery.

Ish – The second book in the series is about a little artist, Ramon who loves to draw. It is what Ramon does best. But suddenly he loses confidence in his drawings until his sister, Marisol, shows him that value of doing something and it doesn’t always have to be just perfect!

Sky Color – The third book in the Creatrilogy series is a story about a young girl, Marisol, who needs to paint the sky for a class mural but she can’t find the color she is looking for. Doesn’t the sky have to be blue? Not necessarily.

This set is a must for every little artist or non-artist. Because really it is about the power of the creative mind and the ability to just try. It is all about the creative process and not the end result. Thank you author/illustrator Peter Reynolds for helping us to teach our children how to express themselves and learning that there is an artist in us all.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Available on Amazon or in local bookstores:

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reynolds-Creatrilogy-Box-Color/dp/0763663271/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358971653&sr=8-2&keywords=sky+color

Noah Webster and His Words

Noah Webster and His Words

By Jeri Chase Ferris and Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch

Have you ever wondered about the man behind the dictionary? Who was Noah Webster? Check out this wonderful picture book on one of the most famous scholars of all time. Did you also know that The Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language became the second most popular book ever printed?

Meet Noah. Noah was born in 1758 on a farm in West Harford, Connecticut. He lived in a family with a history of farming. But he didn’t want to be a farmer like his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather. Noah wanted to do something different. He wanted to be a scholar. He was the first in his family to attend college at Yale University. 

Author Jeri Ferris has created a wonderful biography on one of the most important books ever printed. Ferris has written this story in a creative manner with many words and definitions sprinkled throughout the story. Illustrated by Vincent Kirsch, the pictures are done in ink with watercolor and graphite.

A must read for every young scholar. A brilliant illustrated chronology of Webster’s life. Recommended for Ages 4 and up

Dear Blue Sky

Dear Blue Sky by Mary Sullivan

This is a story for middle grade readers that deal with a difficult subject, war. It is the story of a family, whose oldest child heads off to the Iraqi war to serve his country like his father and grandfather. This is a compelling story about the realistic effects of war that it has on a family. It also raises awareness and a deeper understanding about all the victims of war.

Meet Cassie. She feels like her world is falling apart because her older brother has just left for the war. Her family is falling apart; her mother can’t cope and doesn’t get out of bed. Cassie’s mother has stopped taking care of the family and is constantly fighting with her dad. Cassie’s older sister is making lots of bad decisions and gets lost in the mix while her little brother, who has Downs Syndrome, has decided to stop talking.

Cassie then gets a class assignment that really changes her perspective on everything. She discovers Blue Sky, a young Iraqi girl who has started a blog. Their worlds seem very similar yet very different and suddenly Cassie is beginning to see another side of war that she never knew about.

A story about how war affects both sides.  A wonderful read for grades 5 and up.