It is magical when parents read to their children and even more so when young readers are inspired by the books. Jewish tradition is full of stories that spark conversations and motivate the entire family to explore and celebrate what they love about Jewish life.
In these books, Jewish identity, pride and joy are expressed through the celebration of family traditions, holidays, rituals, community and a deep connection to heritage, even in the face of adversity.
At PJ Library Bay Area, a program of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, we know the power of Jewish stories. Every month, we send free Jewish books to Bay Area families with children, from newborns to age 12. Learn more and sign up at pjlibrary.org/jweekly.
Here are some of our favorites showcasing the vibrancy of Jewish life and how Jewish identity can be a source of happiness and resilience.
Books for young children (under 5)
”Company’s Coming”
By Joan Holub; illustrated by Renee Andriani-Williams
Penguin Random House; ages 2 to 3 years
Family and friends arrive to visit and take part in a Passover celebration. The Four Questions are asked, foods on the seder plate are sampled, and the afikomen is found. Even the youngest children take part and create lifelong memories. This is how Jewish tradition and values are conveyed from one generation to the next.
”Here Is the World”
By Lesléa Newman; illustrated by Susan Gal
Abrams; ages 3 to 4 years
The cycle of the Jewish year is filled with joy, significance and wonder, especially for the youngest children encountering holidays for the first time. As leaves turn gold, flutter to the ground and are ultimately replaced by fresh green buds, we follow the Jewish year. Our planet has distinct seasons, and the Jewish year does, too. With every new season, we grow a little more and experience the holidays in new ways.
”Dance the Hora, Isadora”
By Gloria Koster; illustrated by Barbara Bongini
Apples & Honey; ages 4 to 5 years
Dora loves her dance class. She learns dances from all over the world from her teacher and her classmates. But it isn’t until she goes to her cousin’s wedding that she learns a favorite new dance: the hora! As Dora’s grandma tells her, it is easy to learn. All you have to do is “let the joy sweep you along.”
“On Friday Afternoon: A Shabbat Celebration”
By Michal Babay; illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt
Charlesbridge; ages 4 to 5 years
Although Shabbat is a time for rest, preparing for it can be anything but restful. One disaster leads to another for Leelee and her dog Pickles. But with a lot of spirit (and some help from friends and family), they are ready to enjoy a sweet Shabbat.
Books for bigger kids (5-8)
“Bagels for Benny”
By Aubrey Davis; illustrated by Dusan Petricic
Kids Can Press; ages 5 to 6
While working in his grandfather’s bakery, Benny learns the joys of giving, receiving, caring and expressing gratitude. Kindness is contagious. That is what Benny and his grandpa find when they hear a poor man promise to help others as he has been helped. Performing mitzvot (Hebrew for “commandments” or “good deeds”) often sets in motion a sort of chain reaction of kindness known in Hebrew as mitzvah goreret mitzvah – “one good action leads to another.”
“I Say Shehechiyanu”
By Joanne Rocklin; illustrated by Monika Filipina
Lerner; ages 5 to 6
When you are a small child, life is a series of firsts: first steps, first words, first teeth, first snow. Jewish tradition has a special prayer, the Shehechiyanu, that recognizes the importance of every first. This book explores some of the many new experiences celebrated by a child in the course of a year. By saying the Shehechiyanu, we express our gratitude for life itself as well as for individual moments we experience.
“Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas”
By Pamela Ehrenberg; illustrated by Anjan Sarkar
Macmillan; ages 5 to 6
Sadie and her brother are part of a family with both Jewish and Indian background, so at Hanukkah they eat dosas, traditional Indian pancakes, instead of latkes. When they get locked out of their house just before their Hanukkah party, the protagonist’s quirky little sister, Sadie, draws on her special talents and uniqueness to save the day.
Books for young readers (9-12)
“Not Your All-American Girl”
By Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Scholastic; ages 10 and up
Sixth-graders Lauren and Tara have always done everything together so it’s only natural that they both try out for their middle school musical about an “all-American” girl. Tara gets the lead role, as usual, because in the teacher’s mind Lauren, half-Jewish and half-Chinese, does not fit the image of an “all-American” girl. Lauren is hurt but resolved to support her friend. Lauren’s two grandmothers are furious, though, and they intend to do something about it.
“A Place at the Table”
By Laura Shovan and Saadia Faruqi
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; ages 10 and up
Elizabeth and Sara are both in sixth grade and are both worried about their mothers. But the similarities end there. The book explores the friendship of the 11-year-old girls as they grapple with family dynamics, school and friendship challenges and a growing awareness of racism. They also need to overcome their differences and agree on an award-winning recipe for their school’s international food festival. Through it all, they learn about themselves, the meaning of friendship and how to claim their space in the world.
“How to Be a Mensch”
By Catherine Newman; illustrated by Debbie Fong
Storey; ages 9 and up
This how-to manual is a version of Catherine Newman’s book “How to Be a Person.” Chapters cover life skills such as how to care for people, pets and plants; how to cook for Shabbat; how to clean your clothes; and how to manage money. Cartoon-style illustrations add to the accessible, kid-friendly style.