Jewish-Themed Books

“A creative interpretation of a passage read on Passover, imploring all who are hungry to partake of the feast….lively text…sunny illustrations….Back matter includes a recipe for haroset that includes different cultural variations. A joyful tale that speaks to the power of community.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Laced with humor and empathy, Kimmelman’s probing narrative leaves readers with plenty to ponder about human nature. Tender and thought-provoking.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This framing of the story from Genesis casts Eve as a heroine and celebrates knowledge not as humanity’s downfall, but as a glorious opportunity. . . . The central question in this narrative is ‘How can knowledge be dangerous?’ and in Kimmelman’s careful framing, it turns out not to be dangerous after all. . . . After thousands of years of one interpretation, the old story is invigorated by this perspective.” –School Library Journal

“If you want a taste of Shabbat joy, filled with fun and laughter, then you want to spend it with Leslie Kimmelman’s delightful fictional friends, Sam, Charlie, Sam Too, and giggling baby Leo….This is a book that might inspire young readers to come up with ideas of their own to enliven their own Shabbat experiences.”  – Jewish Book Council

“Kimmelman’s newest easy reader is a joy in every way…The humor is engaging and accessible.”  —The Association of Jewish Libraries

“An imaginative and inclusive take on Hanukkah that ought to be lots of fun for readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

★ “Kimmelman displays soaring, highly descriptive language imbued with gentle humor, imagination, wonder and awe, brought to vivid life by Avgustinovich’s lush artwork.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Nothing short of charming.” —Booklist

“Thoughtful, tender, and charming. Definitely not bupkes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This cheery book features joy, courtesy, and care for others in a fun and lighthearted way.” —Jewish Book Council

“A cozy tale of friendship, mutual aid, neighborliness, and tasty, tasty food.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Kimmelman and Bernstein’s gentle spoof employs just enough amusing medieval jokes to make the core idea fun to grasp: it takes good deeds of all shapes and sizes to make the world go round.” —Publishers Weekly

“There is no shortage of illustrated children’s books for Hanukkah. Every now and then one rises above the crowd because of its creative approach, distinctive humor, or all-around charm. Such a book is The Eight Knights of Hanukkah—with its quirky and loveable male and female multicultural knights, their lady mother, and—of course—a dastardly dragon determined to derail the holiday celebration.” —Jewish Book Council

“A new twist with Yiddish-inflected humor and brightly expressive pictures offering a lesson in empathy. . . . Mineker’s illustrations are the perfect match for Kimmelman’s wry sense of humor.” —Jewish Book Council

“This light-hearted picture book is an unusual take on the life of a community leader and is a must for synagogues and Rabbis’ studies. Children will come away with a new take on someone they thought they knew, but who is far more complex and perhaps much more fun than they imagined possible.” —Jewish Book Council

“Kimmelman does a fine job of touching on both Berlin’s professional and personal lives and doesn’t shy away from mentioning that not everyone liked the fact that a Jewish immigrant was writing America’s most beloved songs. . . . A fine mix of music and the immigrant experience.” —Booklist

“Kimmelman takes readers on an upbeat tour of Israel, propelled by crisp, clever rhymes . . . A pink gecko, who readers can spot tucked away in Shipman’s cheery illustrations, explains that, because shalom can mean hello, goodbye, and peace, ‘It’s a little word with a lot to say.’” —Publishers Weekly

“For kids just beginning to read chapter books: All of Leslie Kimmelman’s contributions to this genre are a gift. . . . Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too) at Camp, illustrated by William Owl, is the summertime installment in the Kimmelman canon. Sam and Charlie learn . . . about shomrei adamah, human stewardship of the earth; part of going to camp in a beautiful, natural place is cherishing and working to care for it.” —Tablet (The Best Jewish Books About Summer Camp)

“Here are five more stories about the three kids last seen in Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too!). The kids’ Jewish heritage and traditions are again incorporated into most of the stories. Kimmelman is good with the funny details, but it’s Charlie and Sam’s friendship and families that are the focus.” —Booklist

“Fans of the first book will definitely want to check in with the trio here.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“In five short chapters, Kimmelman explores how Sam and Charlie negotiate the rough patches of their friendship. Although the dynamic is familiar—think Marc Brown’s Arthur and Francine—what sets this story apart is that all the characters are Jewish. . . . Kimmelman’s breezy, unshowy assumption of a shared faith and vocabulary will be refreshing; it also means she doesn’t stop her narrative to explain what a hamantaschen is, what Purim is, or, later, that ‘Cheery Bim’ is a beloved Jewish camp song. In genial, full-color cartooned drawings, newcomer Tambellini underlines the messy and imperfect moments in a budding friendship.” —Publishers Weekly

“The peaceful respite offered by Shabbat is celebrated in the nature walks a boy and his grandfather enjoy. An effective presentation of the weekly religious observance as a personal reflection on life’s simple pleasures.” —Kirkus Reviews

★ “Such a clever idea. Set the story . . . during the Jewish holiday that turns every home into a sacred space, and watch a familiar tale become exponentially funnier and, yes, more meaningful. By the time Kimmelman, a terrifically conversational storyteller, and Meisel, a slyly astute cartoonist, are done, readers of all faiths will understand why, even after all her schlepping and kvetching and unassisted matzo making, the Little Red Hen still cannot turn away her ‘no-goodnik’ friends when they have the chutzpah to show up at her seder.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)