The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

My Sometimes Mistakes by Leah Chana Rubabshi, illustrated by Miriam Rooney Hachai Publishing, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ellie Grossman Cohen   Buy at Amazon.com One of the best perks of being a parent is teaching our children the same lessons we need to be reminded of—namely, the blessings of making mistakes that help us become better human beings. This important Jewish concept of teshuva is the storyline in this picture book, which contains Jewish nuggets of wisdom that resonate with young children without being over their heads. In this engaging story, a boy learns something new every time he makes a mistake. Through rhyming and clever text, accompanied by colorful, expressive illustrations, young children ages 2-5 will relate to the simple everyday mistakes that help the boy grow and learn and change his behavior. Every scenario has a resolution, and this pattern leads to healthy self esteem, especially in the context of a supportive, loving family depicted in the ...

Jewish Songs from Around the World illustrated by Lucille Ahrweiller Kalaniot Books, 2025 Category: Board Books Reviewer: Elizabeth Suneby   Buy at Bookshop.org   This book has it all: songs to listen to in Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino, written transliterated lyrics to follow along with, joyous, colorful illustrations, and a bit of history. Little ones will love pressing the button to hear the songs and will be mesmerized by the detailed drawings. Grownups will likely be happy to hear familiar songs and learn about new ones, and they will appreciate the context provided for each song. The book helps keep traditional traditional Jewish music alive! (I wish there were one song that was sung in English. Maybe a series is in order!) This book definitely feels authentically Jewish and will likely appeal to Jewish people predominately. It offers some diversity with songs from Eastern Europe, Israel, and Spain.    ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REVIEWING BOOKS FOR THE SYDNEY TAYLOR ...

Say Shalom All Day Long by Elizabeth Suneby, illustrated by Elke Boschinger PJ Publishing, 2025 Category: Board Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva   Buy at Amazon.com Say Shalom All Day Long is a basic introduction to the three meanings of the word “shalom:” hello, goodbye, and peace. With a simple, predictable structure, a day in the life of a child unfolds, with each activity contextually showing the three meanings. Hellos and goodbyes are used as time markers. The connotation of “peace” is shown in nature, self-care, and friendship. Kids will easily understand “shalom” through the word repetition and art. Lovely, detailed illustrations accompany the sparse text, urging the reader to pause before the page turn, as a closer look at the art is merited. Two spreads are reminiscent of the classic book, Goodnight Moon , taking place in the child’s bedroom. The details sing here, giving a sense of the child’s personality and interests. However, I would like to have seen more Judaica displ...

Mazel Tov, Baby! by Dara Henry, illustrated by Varda Livney Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2025 Category: Board Book Reviewer: Ellen Scolnic   Buy at Bookshop.org This adorable board book would be a wonderful gift for any new baby. The light, playful rhymes urge readers to “clap with me” and “blow a kiss” while illustrating the milestones of a baby’s days. The repeating “mazel tov” as baby grows and accomplishes these feats adds to the interaction. The book has cute drawings of multi-ethnic babies and flaps to encourage listeners to interact with the book. The engaging, friendly illustrations go perfectly with the fun, happy text. The Jewish representation in the book is authentic and adorable - from the multi-ethnic babies to the "little matzah ball" bib one of them is wearing. It is casual Judaism, because it is limited to the congratulatory "mazel tovs" offered to the babies - but it is joyful. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this book.   ARE YOU INTERESTED...

How the Ghost Army Hoodwinked Hitler: The Story of American Artistry and Deception in World War II by Rebecca Siegel Peachtree, 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Stacey Rattner   Buy at Bookshop.org   Before reading this book, if you had asked me about the Ghost Army I would have looked at you quizzically. Now I am grateful that I am educated and that so many young people will have the opportunity to become educated as well. As evidenced by the author’s extensive bibliography, a substantial amount of research went into writing this narrative nonfiction middle grade, which is greatly appreciated. In January 1944, a United States army unit of deception was created with a diverse group of creative, smart and talented soldiers. The secret Ghost Army was made up of not only visual artists, fashion enthusiasts, film and theatre set designers, but also coal miners and bartenders and everyone in between. The Ghost Army used their talents to distract the Germans with deception oper...

Banana Menorah by Lee Wind, illustrated by Karl West Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Lila Spitz   Buy at Bookshop.org Banana Menorah is guaranteed to get kids and parents laughing out loud and talking about unique menorah materials and shapes. When a Jewish family of three arrives at their Hanukkah beach vacation, they realize that they did not pack a menorah in their luggage. While this is disappointing, the young narrator does not despair. They cleverly use their problem solving skills and create a temporary menorah by placing candles in a banana for the first night of Hanukkah. This inventive solution is used for the second and third nights of Hanukkah when a bowl of granola and some aluminum foil are molded into the shape of a menorah. Then, on the fourth night of Hanukkah, they return home to light each one of their three “traditional” menorahs. Afterwards, the child of the family expresses their fond memories of cr...