The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Memory Stones by Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Hayley Lowe Second Story Press, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Claire Freeland   Buy at Bookshop.org Sophie adores her modern and fun granny, so when she dies, Sophie is bereft. Her mother takes her to the cemetery to visit Granny’s grave where she leaves Granny’s favorite flowers. Upon a return visit, though, Sophie is upset to see the wilted remains of her remembrance. Her mother suggests she participate in the tradition of bringing a stone instead, but Sophie doesn’t think a stone could be as lovely as flowers, even if it lasts forever. Her mama tells her the story of angels watching over graves at night. When they see a stone, they know that someone on earth is caring for that grave, so the angels don’t need to watch that one. At home, Sophie ponders angels, stones, and flowers until she has an idea. She asks her parents to take her to all the favorite places that she and Granny had frequented. Gathering a stone from each sp...

Time for Tefillah by Devorah Schwebel, illustrated by Tova Katz Hachai Publishing, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Judy Ehrenstein   Buy at Amazon.com A young Orthodox boy cheerfully details all the ways he and his family find time for tefillah (prayer), told in four-line rhyming stanzas. Every opportunity for prayer, whether saying modeh ani upon waking, going to shul, and fitting in words of Tehilim (psalms) into busy days, and more are done with joy and appreciation, as ways to thank Hashem for everything. The stanzas mostly work and have a natural flow without forcing the rhyme scheme. The illustrations feature Ashkenazi people, with fair skin and brown and red hair, drawn in a retro style reminiscent of the Little Golden Books. The text and life depicted work well together, joining a tale of all the ways to praise Hashem, with images of people living very traditional, pious lives in a modern world.  The Jewish world depicted is deeply traditional, marked by modest...

Hamantaschen or Latkes? by Kerry M. Olitzky, illustrated by Ruby Silberman Bink Books (imprint of Bedazzled Ink), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Amy Brook Cohen   Buy at Bookshop.org   This delightful new picture book was inspired by the real-life Great Latke-Hamantash Debate, started in 1946 and still held annually at the University of Chicago; now held at many other universities around the U.S as well. Our two protagonists are Sandy and Zoe, two girls living in the charming Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh. While Sandy’s mom owns a bakery and their sell-out product is hamantaschen, Zoe’s mom owns a deli where the most popular item is latkes. The girls are friends, and they enjoy playful banter, debating the merits of both foods, each of them steadfast in their commitment to one food over the other. When they come up with an idea to set up a table in the park so that community members can sample both hamantaschen and latkes and vote on which one they prefer, t...

Challah from Heaven written and illustrated by Richard Ungar PJ Publishing, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ellie Grossman Cohen   Buy at PJLibraryshop.org   This new twist on a Shabbat tale leaves crumbs, or clues, for the reader to follow as we chase the flyaway challah and discover a mystery gues. The anticipation of Shabbat is palatable as Mama and her daughter Hannin make a scrumptious golden brown challah for a special visitor, the Gaon (pronounced “guy-own”) of Minsk. He is described as a wise old man with wiggly eyebrows who travels the villages and shares his timeless stories. Meanwhile, the challah disappears from the windowsill to cool and begins to fly through the sky, almost touching the clouds. The reader tags along with the young girl as she hurries through the bustling shtetl, which is illustrated with splashes of color, slanted rooflines, and whimsical details. She asks Yaakov the painter, Tzipporah the bird whisperer, and finally the bearded old man si...

Golem Loves Latkes: A Tasty Hanukkah Tale by Doreen Klein Robinson, illustrated by Anna Krajewska Intergalactic Afikoman, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner   Buy at Bookshop.org Golem Loves Latkes is a slapstick picture book kids will enjoy. Our narrator, referred to affectionately as "Bubbeleh," usually loves to visit her bubbe in Schmoozeville. But when she arrives just before Hanukkah, the neighbors who prefer sour cream with their latkes are at war with those who prefer applesauce. Instead of schmoozing amicably, everyone is screaming at each other. Bubbeleh and Bubbe make latke batter, and while Bubbe fries those latkes up, Bubbeleh starts crafting. First, she makes a dreidel. Then she makes a golem. It comes to life when it smells the delectable scent of the latkes. It eats them with sour cream, applesauce, and even with ketchup. When it runs out of latkes in Bubbe's house, it runs to the neighbors. It eats up their latkes, too! Finally, Bubbe...

A Dragon Called Spark: A Hanukkah Story by Lily Murray, illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman Kalaniot Books (imprint of Endless Mountains Publishing), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jodie Sadowsky   Buy at Bookshop.org Eva expects Hanukkah to feel very different this year. She’s moved to “a new street, a new town” far away from her friends. Eva takes comfort in the company of her pet dragon, Spark, who she imagines might be lonely. Eva’s sister laughs and says it would take a miracle for Spark to find a dragon friend. Eva wishes for it anyway: a friend for each of them. When Hanukkah begins, the family’s hanukkiyah in the window interests Charlie, a neighborhood boy, who asks about the candles. Soon, the two are sharing Hanukkah treats, and Eva finally feels brave enough to tell Charlie about Spark. Charlie tries his hardest to see Spark. Later, at the playground, Eva suspects Charlie has told the other children about her pet dragon and that they are all laughing at her. Endear...

Can You Hear Them? One, Two! by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, illustrated by Florence Weiser PJ Publishing, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rochelle Newman-Carrasco   Buy at PJLibraryshop.org   This sweet picture book opens as the rains end and the animals exit the ark to explore and play. The simple rhyming storytelling is not only meant to be read aloud, but has the added bonus of playing with the fun sounds animals make. This creates the opportunity for an interactive experience as readers encourage little listeners to imitate the sounds – the “grunt, grunt,” of piglets, the “Ooh-wah, Ooh-wah!” of elephants, and more. Speaking of little ones, the storytelling and illustration does a lovely job of focusing on the baby and young animals who are ready to play and explore. Not only does each picture feature adorable animals in action, but the use of rich, vibrant colors includes emphasizing the animal name and sound so that they stand-out. Little children, from diverse background...

Sparrow by Mary Tebo, illustrated by E.B. Lewis Astra Young Readers, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Heidi Rabinowitz   Buy at Bookshop.org   A sparrow builds her nest in a crevice in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, using plant material and prayer notes. She doesn't know exactly what's going to happen, but she has a sense of expectation and hope. Hope, indeed, is the theme of the story. Lyrically told in the present tense, and accompanied by beautiful realistic paintings that move between cityscapes and closeups, the story captures some of the magic of this city that is sacred to so many people. By showcasing the neutral character of a sparrow, the book becomes equally accessible to readers of all backgrounds.    No religions are mentioned in the text, although there is a reference to church bells. The illustrations include the Western Wall, the golden Dome of the Rock, and many church towers, as well as people of various skin tones, some wearing kippot. The ba...

The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue by Elizabeth Brown, illustrated by Melissa Castrillon Chronicle Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer   Buy at Bookshop.org   “The greatest individual act of rescue in all of World War II” may have been accomplished by someone you never heard of. This person may have saved more people than Schindler or Wallenberg. If I told you he had saved people by issuing visas, perhaps Sugihara would come to mind. (Wallenberg and Sugihara are, in fact, the first two diplomats listed in the dedication to “diplomats who defied official policy to save countless lives.”) But Aristides de Sousa Mendes? Probably not. And yet… Finally giving him the attention he deserves is Elizabeth Brown’s picture book, The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary World War II Rescue with stunning illustrations by Melissa Castrillon. The book starts with Aristedes’s career as a Portuguese diplomat who issued v...

My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays written and illustrated by Hannah Shafiroff Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025 Category: Picture Book Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Bookshop.org This fantastic 64-page treasury is a guide to ten Jewish holidays throughout the year, written at sophisticated picture book level. Beginning with Shabbat, then Rosh Hashanah, the book takes the reader through the Jewish calendar, explaining each holiday. The author-illustrator's bright, colorful drawings will engage even the youngest reader and the descriptions and explanations are written in simple language that school-aged children can read for themselves. Each holiday begins with a spread that includes sections labeled When, What We Say, Why We Celebrate, and How We Celebrate. For some holidays, this basic information is followed by additional detail. This book explains the history and the traditions for each holiday. It also provides pronunciation for holiday greetings. This is an excellent ...

Every Scoop of Light: A Story About Repairing the World by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Bookshop.org   Ilene Cooper brings children a new book just as fantastic as her 2007 picture book, The Golden Rule . This charming book retells the midrash of how God decided to give humans wonderful gifts such as happiness, health, wisdom, kindness, love, laughter, imagination, celebration and peace. But the vessels shattered, leaving people to find and gather the sparks. Cooper tells the tale in a simple manner that kids can understand. She even includes people that question God, asking why God needs our help. Others ask why they should do the hard work of gathering sparks. Why doesn't God do it? God replies that it is people's world and they should have the responsibility to help make it a better place.    Omer Hoffmann's colorful illustrations include people of various ra...

Shabbat on Mars by Jeff Ward, illustrated by Gila von Meisner Intergalactic Afikoman, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Julie Ditton   Buy at Bookshop.org "It's not exactly rocket science," but this book is "what happens when a Jewish aerospace engineer marries a Conservative rabbi." Jeff Ward gathers current scientific theories about life in a future Mars colony and applies them to how Jewish Mars colonists would celebrate Shabbat. Readers learn all about life on Mars, from what types of buildings would be created to what food colonists might be able grow or make. Much like vegan "hotdogs" which are not made of meat, the brisket or pishkado might be made from algae instead. By comparing Shabbat on Earth to Shabbat on Mars, this fantastic picture book for older readers teaches science and Jewish culture at the same time. In the afterward, which asks "What does Jewish look like...On Mars?" the author points out that there are different w...

Sammy Spider's Big Book of Jewish Holidays by Sylvia A. Rouss, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ronda Einbinder   Buy at Bookshop.org In the long-running Sammy Spider series, Sammy Spider and his mother, Mrs. Spider, live secretly with Mr. and Mrs. Shapiro and their son Josh. Sammy is quite inquisitive and is fascinated by the many Jewish holidays the Shapiros celebrate. There are individual Sammy Spider books for most Jewish holidays, but this title combines a number of holidays, with short original stories and mostly original artwork.   The story begins with the Shapiros hanging up the Jewish calendar. Sammy also wants to hang a calendar, but Mrs. Spider tells him that spiders don’t hang calendars, spiders spin webs. The cute catchphrase  continues as the reader learns about each of the Jewish holidays: when Sammy asks to participate in a holiday, Mrs. Spider responds with “Silly little S...

What Louis Brandeis Knows: A Crusader for Social Justice Becomes a Supreme Court Justice by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Stacy Innerst Calkins Creek (imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Heidi Rabinowitz   Buy at Bookshop.org The life of lawyer Louis Brandeis is outlined in this picture book biography, from childhood to his appointment to the Supreme Court. His common sense approach to life is evoked through the repeated phrase "Any fool knows..." that all people should be treated equally, that joy is more important than wealth, and so on. We see Louis growing and learning, building his persuasive skills and fighting for justice. Key events in his life are touched upon briefly, and are later fleshed out in a thorough and fascinating endnote. We learn that Louis was not only significant for being the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, but that he set crucial precedents that have contributed greatly to the fairness of our demo...

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 ...

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...

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...