Children’s / Teenage general interest: Judaism

Book Synopsis"A wonderful addition to any collection of multicultural children's literature." --School Library Journal"A lovely book to read aloud at the start of a fresh new year." --Jewish Book Council"This authentic Jewish story is unique in connecting tradition with family farming.” --The Sydney Taylor ShmoozeThis count down to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah explores life and celebration on a family farm through the eyes of a young girl allowed to help with preparations for the first time.It’s just three days until the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. A young girl and her family are getting ready for the traditional holiday feast. Family and friends gather to help harvest and clean the fall root vegetables, mix them with honey and dried fruits, and cook them into the traditional sweet vegetable stew, called tzimmes, ‘for a sweet new year.’ It’s hard but satisfying work that leaves everyone with aching arms, sore feet and happy hearts. When Rosh Hashanah morning arrives, they join together at the synagogue to hear the shofar, the horn that is blown to announce that the holiday has arrived. Back at home on their farm with a diverse group of friends and neighbors, they celebrate both a new year and the joy of being together.This food and farm-focused story is sweetened by illustrations full of cheerful colors and textured patterns. Award-winning author Megan Hoyt helps readers explore both culturally specific Rosh Hashanah practices and life on a small family farm, while providing a universal message of community and tradition.Trade Review"It's almost time for Rosh Hashanah, and Tzipporah is finally old enough to help! She excitedly puts on her coat and boots and races outside to help her family dig up the root vegetables they planted on their farm. Hoyt (Bartali's Bicycle) thoroughly, but concisely, tells the story of family and friends celebrating Rosh Hashanah, including their time at the synagogue and the blowing of the shofar. The illustrations' color, bucolic scenery irrefutably support the text and the happiness Tzipporah feels about celebrating the autumn holiday and being old enough to help make the dish of tzimmes. Her playful brown poppy is in almost all the illustrations, as are many chickens, cats, cows, and other farm animals. The illustrations also show the diversity of Tzipporah's community. The text is a bit confusing at the beginning of the story; when Tzipporah races outside to help her family dig up vegetables, the text says she "races down the rows," but the illustrations show her racing down the stairs. VERDICT A wonderful addition to any collection of multicultural children's literature." -- School Library Journal"It is almost Rosh Hashanah, and the har­vest is ready. Tzip­po­rah and her fam­i­ly pick rutaba­gas, yams, turnips, pota­toes, and car­rots. Then, she and her friends choose the most beau­ti­ful of the veg­eta­bles and scrub them for the Rosh Hashanah meal. Tzip­po­rah is unsure whether these raw veg­eta­bles will make an entic­ing meal for the hol­i­day, but she driz­zles but­ter on them and adds brown sug­ar, hon­ey, cin­na­mon, and fruit. A deli­cious tzimmes is the result. After the syn­a­gogue ser­vice and the blow­ing of the sho­far, the fam­i­ly gath­ers for their feast, and the tzimmes is beau­ti­ful and sweet — just like Rosh Hashanah itself. A tzimmes recipe is append­ed, along with an author’s note that gives more infor­ma­tion about Rosh Hashanah and makes a spe­cial point of encour­ag­ing chil­dren to help pre­pare the fam­i­ly meal. The beau­ti­ful illus­tra­tions depict a farm that is burst­ing with autumn col­or and com­plete with a mul­ti­cul­tur­al group of smil­ing fam­i­ly and friends. This is a love­ly book to read aloud at the start of a fresh new year." --The Jewish Book Council"It's the first year that Tzipporah is old enough to help with the early fall harvest on her family's farm. Three days before the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, she rides on the tractor driven by her father, and they turn the soil. Tzipporah learns that the tractor has uncovered various root vegetables. Two days before Rosh Hashanah, our little main character helps gather the rutabagas, yams, turnips, potatoes, and carrots. She and her friends scrub off all the dirt. The day before Rosh Hashanah, Tzipporah and her folks ready the tzimmes, using an old family recipe. And on Rosh Hashanah they enjoy the tzimmes with friends and family after synagogue. A recipe and an author's note round out this sweet farm-to-table Rosh Hashanah story. The illustrations, which are bright and engaging, depict a light-skinned family with a darker-skinned friend. The tzimmes and brisket menu suggests an Ashkenazic family. The family drives to synagogue on the holiday, hence representing branches of Judaism whose members do so as well.The book is a good contender for the Sydney Taylor award. This authentic Jewish story is unique inconnecting tradition with family farming. Reading this book prior to Rosh Hashanah will give an opportunity to talk about where food comes from as well as ways to prepare for the holiday. Jewish and non-Jewish readers will learn about root vegetable farming, tzimmes, and basics about Rosh Hashanah." --The Sydney Taylor Schmooze

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Book SynopsisWritten in a friendly voice, filled with dynamic photos, and featuring text crafted for the youngest of readers, these books touch upon the history and traditions of a diverse range of both secular and faith- based festive celebrations. Each Seedlings book closes with a labeled-image guide for further review.

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Book SynopsisLenny lives on the edge of the forest. He spends his days tending his roses, drinking cocoa and practising for jumping competitions. He can jump further than anyone in the forest; not even the flea, frog or squirrel can beat him. Until Benny turns up. Lenny and Benny have the best time in the world together but when Lenny realises that Benny can jump further than he can, he accuses him of cheating and lying and refuses to see him ever again. Time passes and Benny decides to have a party. He invites everybody except Lenny but the postman accidentally delivers an invitation anyway. Lenny, ready to be friends again, is delighted. However, when he turns up, Benny is enraged, calls him a liar and says he never wants to see him again. But Lenny and Benny did once have the best time in the world together. Is any argument worth losing such a great friendship over? Inspired by the midrash about Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza, in which an inter-communal squabble ultimately leads to the destruction of the Second Temple, this is a story about the importance and joy of friendship, the futility of conflict and how destructive an unresolved argument can be.

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Book SynopsisWhen Benjy is born, his grandfather, a tailor, gives him a beautiful handmade blanket to keep him warm in his cot. As Benjy grows, he takes his blanket with him everywhere. He loves it so much that even when it becomes ragged and stained, he will do anything to stop his mother from throwing it out. He enlists his resourceful grandfather who cuts, measures and sews and turns the blanket into a coat. Benjy wears the coat every day, morning to night, until it becomes too tight and his mother threatens again to throw it away. His grandfather turns it into a waistcoat and when that no longer fits, it becomes a handkerchief, and when the handkerchief is torn beyond repair, it is finally turned into a button. But then, Joseph loses the button and his grandfather must come up with an even more imaginative solution–one that will ensure the blanket will last forever. Based on a story from the Jewish oral tradition, this is a beautiful tale of the love between a boy and his grandfather, between a boy and his blanket, the inevitable passing of time, and the glorious power of imagination.

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Book SynopsisJonah and Rebecca have fallen on hard times and as Passover approaches they cannot afford any of the things they need to celebrate the festival. "God will come to our aid" Jonah insists, even on Seder night as the house is dark and his table empty. When a magician knocks on their door asking to join their Seder, they are unable to oblige, but the stranger is undeterred. "I have brought the Seder with me" he claims, snapping his fingers to produce two lit candlesticks. At the magician's command, the house is transformed and the table is laid with everything Rebecca and Jonah could need for a perfect Seder and a fabulous Passover feast. But is this all a magician's illusion or could it be the heavenly intervention by the prophet Elijah? The Magician's Visit has been adapted from a classic folktale by I. L. Peretz - one of the greatest Yiddish writers of all time. Written by acclaimed children's author Barbara Diamond Goldin and with beautiful new illustrations by award-winning illustrator Eva Snchez Gomez, this is a spellbinding retelling of a much-loved tale.

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Book SynopsisThe word shalom' means three different things: hello', goodbye' and peace'. In this sweet, simple tale, Sheep experiments with this triple meaning as she goes about her day on the farm. The sun is rising, and we follow Sheep as she stops to say shalom' ('hello') to each of her friends: Shalom, Cat', Shalom, Cow,' Shalom, Horse', Shalom, Duck'. Shalom, Sheep', they all reply! When the day comes to a close, Sheep realises she can use this same word to say goodbye to all of her friends, as well: Shalom, Cat', Shalom, Cow,' Shalom, Horse', Shalom, Duck'. Shalom, Sheep', they reply once more! As she tucks herself into bed that night, Sheep remembers that shalom' has one more meaning: peace'. And with that, surrounded by the moon and the stars, she falls into a peaceful night's sleep. Sheep Says Shalom is a heartwarming story for young readers, introducing them to Hebrew, teaching them about the joys of learning a language and giving them insights into the Jewish faith and culture. Children will be captivated by this foldout board book with colourful illustrations of animals and nature.

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be Jewish? Are there different ways of being Jewish? Can you be Jewish but not religious? In this friendly guide, 12-year-old Ruth explains the different ways a person can experience being Jewish, by introducing us to her family and friends.Documenting the lived experience of being Jewish, the book contains diary entries covering festivals, rituals, ethics, and what a relationship with God entails, as well as more challenging topics such as Israel, the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. Providing an excellent starting point for discussion with children, it also includes a helpful list of recommended sources for further information.Trade ReviewA charming, easy-to-understand introduction to the Jewish way of life, delightfully illustrated. -- Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Professor Emeritus of Judaism, University of WalesTable of Contentstbc

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Book SynopsisA young readers’ edition of the bestselling book from Auschwitz survivor Hédi Fried that answers lasting questions about the Holocaust. Hédi Fried was nineteen when the Nazis arrested her family and transported them to Auschwitz. While there, apart from enduring the daily terror at the camp, she and her sister were forced into hard labour before being released at the end of the war. After settling in Sweden, Hédi devoted her life to educating young people about the Holocaust. In her 90s, she decided to take the most common questions, and her answers, and turn them into a book so that children all over the world could understand what had happened. This is a deeply human book that urges us never to forget and never to repeat. ‘Timeless lessons taught with simple eloquence.’ Kirkus ReviewsTrade Review‘It is the telling detail that gives her testimony its particular power … This little book, with its reminder “there are no stupid questions, nor any forbidden ones, but there are some … that have no answer”, is a moving record of one woman’s experience.’ -- Nick Rennison * The Sunday Times *‘Fried was 19 when she and her family were sent from Hungary to Auschwitz. Her parents were murdered, but she and her sister survived. They both made a home in Sweden and, ever since, Fried, now 94, has talked to students about her experiences. This slim but powerful volume, sensitively translated by Alice Olsson, comprises answers to the questions she is most frequently asked, such as: “Why did you not fight back?” and “What helped you to survive?”, “Are you able to forgive?” Fried answers with humanity, candour, and thoughtfulness in a book that should be required reading for all young people.’ -- Hannah Beckerman * The Guardian *‘Something like what Anne Frank might have written had she survived … Timeless lessons taught with simple eloquence.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘While many authors have produced great works about the Holocaust, this sort of first-person narrative is the best source of true information. Every library should add this book to its collection. Social studies teachers would find this a highly valuable source for discussions on the Holocaust (Fried herself even provides a list of discussion questions in the text). I highly recommend the purchase of this book.’ * School Library Connection *‘This is terrific in that I was utterly engrossed in not only what questions are asked of Hedi but the astute and depthful way she answers them. I began to read the other evening and went all the way to the end before putting this book down. It’s also potent in the ways our author touches on current issues with how we treat “others” as to how we become divided and in worst case hurtful to those unlike ourselves. a big thumbs up and NOT just for the younger generation!’ -- Sheryl Cotleur * Copperfield’s Books *‘Through questions she has been asked most, Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust is a stoically raw and deeply human account of the author’s experiences throughout the Holocaust and surviving Auschwitz. An important, wise, and extremely powerful book.’ -- Amanda Zirn Hudson, Bethany Beach Books‘While Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is very easy to read, the questions it raises are very hard to answer. Fried, in simple, straightforward prose, answers questions that children have asked her about her experiences. A must-have for parents, but be prepared to answer some hard questions yourself.’ -- Lee Virden Geurkink, Monkey and Dog Books‘Reminds us all why we need to heed the lessons of the past.’ * Big Issue (London) *‘[S]ince these questions come from children, they quickly reach a level of intimacy that most adults would be afraid to venture into … Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is a collection of Hédi's gentle, honest answers to these questions over the years. With sensitivity and complete candour, Fried answers these questions and more in this deeply human book that urges us never to forget and never to repeat.’ * The Jewish Standard, Ontario *‘Now 94, Fried’s largeness of spirit emanates from every considered response to even the most confronting questions asked of her. One senses that her replies are not only educative but therapeutic, especially for young people grappling with their own questions about the meaning of life. While most of her experiences of this period are inescapably dark, there were moments of light that assumed enormous significance.’ -- Fiona Capp * The Saturday Age *‘Hédi Fried is a remarkable woman and her writing offers important insights into truly terrible events and the slow, insidious way in which hatred can be fostered. Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is an easy to read account of things that are almost too horrible to comprehend. The essays represent an individual’s reflections on matters that touch the whole of humanity and, as Fried hopes, the lessons she has to teach about the past should serve as a warning for the future.’ -- Erin Britton * New Books Magazine, five stars *‘It’s the straightforwardness of the book — and the fact that Fried is so candid in her answers — that makes this book so important.’ -- Shelly Gare * The Sydney Institute *‘Anyone who can remember that time, anyone who can remember someone who could remember, or anyone who feels the instinctive urge to be one with the humanity of memory, and the memory of humanity, cannot but be moved deeply and quite actively by Fried’s book.’ * Bookanista *‘Candid and unflinching, deeply personal and sensitive, this is the perfect book for anyone, young or old, wanting to learn more about the Holocaust and why we must never forget — especially as the last surviving witnesses are lost to us.’ -- Leanne Edimistone * Courier Mail *‘Honest and insightful.’ -- Ellen Langmead * History Teachers’ Association of Victoria *‘Ques­tions I Am Asked About the Holo­caust defies genre … a deeply per­son­al account of her past, told in sim­ple, straight­for­ward lan­guage that most pre­teens can under­stand … Since the book is intend­ed for younger read­ers, Fried is free to be didac­tic. Every­thing is a les­son … Ques­tions I Am Asked About the Holo­caust is an invalu­able means of intro­duc­ing stu­dents to the com­plex­i­ties of the Holo­caust. And it will do for Fried what she seeks to do for her par­ents: to keep her mem­o­ry and name alive.’ -- Rab­bi Marc Katz * Jewish Book Council *‘Fried's straightforward, candid answers are as informative as they are moving. This book should be required school reading.’ -- Kylie Northover * The Age *‘Sheds light on a devastating topic with empathy, sensitivity, and honesty.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is nothing short of remarkable … Hedi’s answers to the questions posed are so personal, genuine, and heartfelt, you feel like you are sitting in the seat beside her … Even the most knowledgeable person on the topic of World War II and the Holocaust will learn something from this book … Librarians should purchase this so it is available to all students from middle school up. Teachers for all ages should also have a classroom copy … [T]his young readers edition ends with a huge amount of reading guides, teacher lessons, and even potential student activities. A one stop shop for learning. Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our ‘to read’ piles? Absolutely. It should be the first book that you purchase.’ -- Youth Services Book Review, starred review‘While many authors have produced great works about the Holocaust, this sort of first-person narrative is the best source of true information. Every library should add this book to its collection. Social studies teachers would find this a highly valuable source for discussions on the Holocaust (Fried herself even provides a list of discussion questions in the text). I highly recommend the purchase of this book.’ -- School Library Connection, highly recommended‘An essential addition for those learning about the Holocaust, refugees, and the complexities of WWII.’ -- Meg Barclay * The School Librarian *Praise for The Road to Auschwitz: ‘Fried’s tale is not solely one of suffering. She is a survivor, and this is a testimony to the ingenuity and luck that contributed to her survival and that of her sister and friends. As Fried reminds us: “We must tell of this inhuman thing that was done in the twentieth century. It must not be forgotten.”’ —Publishers Weekly ‘[Fried’s] grim struggle to survive death and labour camps and the start of her brave efforts to create a meaningful life in Sweden are recounted with vivid and deeply moving simplicity.’ —Jewish Chronicle

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