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Posts Tagged Children’s Books
The Phantom Tollbooth Celebrates 50 Years
Posted by Rachel Broder in Jewish Knowledge on October 19, 2011
To my extreme delight, last week’s New Yorker published an article celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publication of The Phantom Tollbooth, written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer, both Jews. The Phantom Tollbooth was easily one of my favorite books growing up, and though I see it on my bookshelf every time I go to my parent’s house, it’s been quite a few years since I took the time to think about Milo.
Milo is a remarkable character in fiction because he is simply mild. Unlike other protagonists, Milo is not particularly passionate or brave. He’s marked as a character unaccustomed to strong feeling, and as Michael Chabon points out in a June New York Times article, Milo’s mild curiosity in the appearance of the tollbooth is unusual. Chabon writes that he himself was a mild-tempered kid, but that as he matured and grew out of his serene stage, he began making choices that were less and less Miloeqsue.
In a lot of ways I think that Milo’s curiosity is something I latched onto early in the novel as a kid. Chalk it up to my Jewish upbringing if you want to, but I was full of questions about the world, and still am. This spirit of inquiry is part of what I also think allowed Milo and Tock to survive generations of readers, and eventually reach “children’s literary classic” status, if you will.
In reading Juster and Feiffer’s comments in The New Yorker, I was again amazed by The Phantom Tollbooth when I learned that it was the child of an idea, a $5,000 grant, and a weekend vacation to Fire Island. As you celebrate the beginning of the new Torah cycle, consider also honoring the anniversary of The Phantom Tollbooth with a re-read!
Summer Reading Roundup
Posted by admin in Jewish Books, Link Roundup, Publishing on June 11, 2010
School may be out for summer, but don’t underestimate the fun of curling up in the warm weather with a good book. We’ve rounded up the best of the web to get you excited about summer reading!
1. Joanne Meier blogs about the benefits of reading during the summer on Reading Rockets’ Sound It Out blog. According to a new study, simply giving kids books may actually be as effective as summer school. Summer reading also helps kids retain what they’ve learned throughout the school year.
2. Many book stores are offering incentives to kids for reading. This summer, with through Barnes & Noble’s Passport to Summer Reading program, when kids read 8 books, they can earn a free book of their choice. The program also offers downloadable activity kits for parents and educators. At Borders, kids under 12 can earn a free book when they read 10 books through their ‘10 Summer Double Dog Dare reading program.
3. Know of any good books? Now you can share your summer reading recommendations or search for the perfect title on Twitter by using the hashtag #sumread10.
4. Participate in a summer reading program! Visit http://www.cslpreads.org for a list of reading resources (for children and adults) and find out if your local library is part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program.
5. E-readers are great for tossing into your beach bag, but if you’re thinking about buying one, check out this article from The New York Times to find out which one best suits you.
If you know of any other great reading programs or summer reading recommendations you would like to share with other readers, let us know in the comment section. Happy reading!
-Jill Finkelstein
Teaching the Holocaust
Posted by admin in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge, JPS History on April 9, 2010
Prior to working for JPS, I taught Hebrew School throughout my 4 years in college. I switched grades a few times but stayed within the K-2nd age range. For me, one of the hardest topics to teach students that young was the Holocaust.
When I was younger, facts about the Holocaust were gradually exposed. I probably knew a little more than other kids because my parents told me when I was little that my grandmother was a survivor. She sailed to the US in 1940 from Wuppertal, Germany with her brothers and arrived just a couple weeks before her 6th birthday. I knew she had been adopted because her parents had to stay behind and never made it out. I can’t remember exactly what I learned at what age, but I remember certain books I read before I turned 10 such as A Picture Book of Anne Frank and Terrible Things (coincidently published by JPS), which both used age appropriate descriptions. While one book tells one recount of the Holocaust, the other teaches a lesson about standing up to discrimination. I took both approaches when teaching the Holocaust to my students. I revealed only as much as I thought was appropriate and turned the lesson into how we can deal with discrimination. I was always impressed by the advanced level of their responses. Some of my students knew a lot of specifics and would want to discuss them with the class, but I would have to cut them off and let them share their thoughts with me privately if I felt that the information was more than some of the other students to handle.
While we want to protect the innocence of our children, it’s not as easy as it used to be. Today, kids are exposed to a lot more information than I was as a kid now that the internet is so easily accessible.
In addition, more parents now want their children to be aware of their communities and global issues at a younger age. The situation begs the question: how do we teach our young students about the Holocaust and how much is too much? While this question has been asked so many times and schools have their own Holocaust curriculums, maybe the solution isn’t as rigid as it used to be. How can we as teachers and Jewish educators adapt to the changing trends?
-Jill Finkelstein
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There are many Holocaust Education Centers, museums, and teaching aids for educators, including this one: http://holocausteducationctr.org/ and the clearinghouse for all Holocaust organizations, the AHO: http://www.ahoinfo.org/ —The 59th Annual Jewish Book Awards
Posted by Carol in Jewish Books on March 11, 2010
My goodness, what a week: first, the Oscars on Sunday night, and then the Jewish Oscars on Tuesday! The Jewish book Oscars, that is: the 2009 National Jewish Book Awards.
Jewish Book Council
Dozens of Jewish literary notables were there: Joseph Telushkin, James Kugel, Lawrence Schiffman, Ari Goldman, Alana Newhouse, Yitz and Blu Greenberg, just for starters. Lots of other familiar faces, too, including two former JPS interns Naomi Firestone and Miri Pomerantz Dauber, now with the Jewish Book Council, which hosted the event.
It was quite a night for JPS, with more award winners than any other publisher: Editor Emerita Ellen Frankel and Avi Katz took a prize for the best Illustrated Children’s Book, for their JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible; Paul Steinberg and Janet Greenstein Potter’s Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Spring and Summer Holidays won for best Jewish Family Literature, Judy Klitsner’s Subversive Sequel in the Bible took the award for Scholarship. Frauke von Rohden’s Meneket Rivkah: A Manual of Wisdom and Piety for Jewish Women was a finalist for in the Scholarship category, and Frankel and Katz also were finalists in Jewish Family Literature. Below you can view a slideshow of our winners at the event!
I’m a big fiction fan, so I’ve added Joseph Kertes’ Gratitude: A Novel, the fiction award winner, to my (50+ book!) reading list. If you want to add winners to your reading list, check out wwww.jewishbookcouncil.org and add your comments and suggested book list titles below in response to this posting.
-Carol Hupping, Interim Director
JPS: Producing Cultural Treasures for Over 120 Years
Posted by Michael in JPS History on March 4, 2010
Chances are JPS books have touched your life in some way. Perhaps you grew up with the JPS Tanakh on your bookshelf. Or, maybe you read a title from the K’Tonton series to your son or daughter, or you use one of the acclaimed JPS Bible commentaries to enhance your own Jewish learning. Regardless of how or when it happened, JPS made it possible for you to connect with Judaism on your own terms and share in our rich cultural legacy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billhd/
You may think of JPS as just a Jewish book publisher, but it’s so much more. Foremost, JPS is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing quality Jewish books and educational resources to all individuals and institutions interested in past and contemporary Jewish life. But, what if JPS weren’t around to fulfill this priceless mission? Look at just a few of the many treasures we would have missed:
- Eve Bunting’s New York Times’ bestselling Holocaust allegory, Terrible Things, with over 25,000 copies in print and recently added to Holocaust education curriculums around the country.
- Louis Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews, a masterpiece of Jewish literature and an indispensable reference on Midrash.
- The First Jewish Catalog, the quintessential do-it-yourself guide to Jewish ritual, customs, and making Judaism part of our day-to-day lives.
- The revered JPS Tanakh, hailed by Time magazine as, “A landmark of Jewish religious scholarship.”
These are just a few examples of the thousands of titles JPS has published over the past 120 years that have helped to define Jewish culture in America. And, JPS hasn’t done it alone. Did you know that the vast majority of its publications would have never made it to the hundreds of thousands of readers around the world who enjoy them if it wasn’t for the generosity of its donors and members?
It’s clear that a gift to JPS is an investment in the future of Jewish education, community, and culture. It allows JPS to continue publishing top-quality Bible resources and fine works of Jewish scholarship and culture. And it gives you—customers, members, and patrons—the opportunity to contribute to the wealth of Jewish literature and learning and be part of history.
- Michael
Follow our authors on tour!
Posted by Alx in Jewish Books on January 26, 2010
The Sydney Taylor Book Award will be celebrating and showcasing its 2010 recipients with a blog tour February 1-5, 2010!
What is a blog tour, you ask? A blog tour is like a virtual book tour. So instead of going to a library or bookstore to see an author speak, you go to a website on or after the assigned date, and read the author’s interview
in the comfort of your own home (or office!) Imagine that – being up close and personal with our winning authors without even leaving your chair!
JPS authors that will be a part of the blog tour are Judy Vida, author of Naomi’s Song (winner of the Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the teen readers category), and Ellen Frankel, author of the JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible (notable Sydney Taylor Book in the category of all ages). The interview with Juda Vida will be posted on The Book Nosher on February 3rd, 2010. The interview with Ellen Frankel will be posted on the Deo Writer on February 5th, 2010.
Make sure you tune in to see what our accomplished authors have to say!
-Emily
JPS rakes in the awards!
Posted by Alx in Jewish Books on January 26, 2010
JPS is proud to announce its National Jewish Book Award and Sydney Taylor Book Award recipients! As a 120-year old publisher with a rich history, a broad spectrum of books, and accomplished authors, JPS continues to thrive in the publishing industry by creating and reviving literary works that enhance Jewish culture around the globe.
We’re honored to have received major awards from two venerable organizations: the National Jewish Book Awards, sponsored by the Jewish Book Council (www.jewishbookcouncil.org), honor some of the best and brightest books and authors in the field of Jewish literature. The program is the longest running awards program of its kind in the field of Jewish literature. The Sydney Taylor Book Awards, presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries, are given each year to outstanding books for children and teens that portray the Jewish experience.
The conversation about books, both print and digital, has reached new heights as the technological revolution brings e-books to center stage. As writers and publishers adapt to this rapidly changing world, JPS remains at the forefront of Jewish literature and culture – in whatever mediums readers use to access text.
Here is a list of JPS works recognized in 2009:
- The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible – is a recipient of the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Illustrated Children’s Books and a Finalist in the category of Jewish Family Literature. It has also been named a Notable Book for Readers of All Ages by the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee.
- Celebrating the Jewish Year, the Spring and Summer Holidays – recipient of the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Jewish Family Literature.
- Subversive Sequels in the Bible – recipient of the National Jewish Book Award in the category of Scholarship.
- Meneket Rivkah: A Manual of Wisdom and Piety for Jewish Women – a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist in the category of Women’s Studies.
- Naomi’s Song – named a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor for Books for Teen Readers.
- Elvina’s Mirror – named a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book for Older Readers.
We congratulate our esteemed authors, and thank our readers for their support!
-Emily
Gelt and Candles and Goblins, Oh My!
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge on December 10, 2009
Celebrating Hanukkah can be rough. I know, I know. You’re probably wondering how 8 days of presents could possibly be a hardship. Well, maybe that part isn’t bad, but as Jews we walk around stores inundated with Christmas decorations hoping for just a little glimmer of some Hanukkah cheer too.
A few weeks ago, I walked into Barnes & Noble and was browsing in the children’s section (shocker, I know). Despite being one of my favorite stores, it was depressing to see all the classic Christmas stories displayed throughout the room with only one side of a book carousel devoted to Hanukkah stories.
It’s true, there aren’t many famous Hanukkah stories. But, if you’re looking for a classic this season and the bookstore isn’t giving you the options you need, look no further! I know the best Hanukkah story, one that blows all others out of the water – Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. My mom used to read this to me when I was little, and to this day, I still believe that it is by far the best Hanukkah story around. So, here are five reasons why Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is the only book you need this Hanukkah season!
1. Goblins – What could be better than mixing Hanukkah and goblins? These fantasy creatures add spice to any story and are sure to draw in both kids and adults (the evidence being that I still love this story).
2. The Illustrations – While a little darker than your typical children’s story, the drawings in this book are amazing. Kids are drawn into an entirely different world and able to visualize the story’s crazy creatures and their actions.
3. Hershel – The main character is a really clever guy! Apparently based on a real person, he may not be your typical hero, but he fills the shoes quite nicely.
4. The Tools of Trickery – Hershel uses everything from a menorah to hardboiled eggs to a game of dreidel to a jar of pickles to outwit the goblins in this story. This strange arsenal is not only funny but effective, allowing Hershel to save Hanukkah for the villagers.
5. The Moral – The story is entertaining and readers will certainly be drawn into the alternate reality. But, even better, this tale has an amazing message: nothing should stop you from celebrating those things that are important to you. While a Jewish story, this great lesson makes Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins great for everyone!
-Sarah
Dr. Seuss and More Teach Hebrew!
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Knowledge, Publishing on November 25, 2009
Children have some of the best books! Think about it. They get cool illustrations and great stories, all in about twenty pages or less. Even better, children’s books have the best messages. Having taken a class in college on children’s literature, I’ve grown to really appreciate the wide variety of stories out there geared towards kids.
So, what could be better than a children’s book? A children’s book in Hebrew!
During a book fair held at my synagogue a few weeks ago, I noticed a copy of The Giving Tree for sale on a display table. Well, I love this book, so it should come as no surprise that I decided to go look at it. Upon arriving at the table, I was surprised to see that the book was entirely in Hebrew! The combination was unexpected (although it shouldn’t have been since it was a book fair at my synagogue!).
Leafing through the pages of the beloved classic, I started to wonder. Are there others like this? The answer is yes! While browsing the web, I came 
across a site that sells a bunch of famous children’s books in Hebrew. It had everything from Dr. Seuss to Curious George to Madeleine to Frog and Toad to Where the Wild Things Are to Goodnight Moon. The selection was awesome.
You might be thinking, why would I ever buy these books when I can go get them in English? I understand that not everyone has 
the same crazy passion for books that I have. And, I’m secretly a kid at heart, so children’s books really appeal to me. But, imagine how much you could learn from these books! What better way to learn some Hebrew than through your favorite stories. The dialogue is basic (it’s meant for kids), and since you know the story, you can get the gist of what’s being said.
So, if you’re looking for a way to spice up your reading life and learn something new, this is it! You can find most of these books through Amazon, so have fun exploring!
-Sarah
Read a book in your PJs!
Posted by Naomi in Jewish Books, JPS Books on November 19, 2009
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago recently announced that the PJ Library is launching its free book program in the city. Each month for three years, the PJ Library will send a new, free book to thousands of young Jewish families in the Chicago area. Children receive the gift of a great, age-appropriate Jewish storybook, and families receive the gift of being able to enrich their children’s Jewish learning experiences, and of feeling embraced by the broader Jewish community. Chicago, in fact, is only one of 100-plus communities throughout North America where PJ Library operates – each month, the program reaches over 50,000 children! According to the Chicago Federation announcement,
In each community where it is available, the PJ Library receives enthusiastic praise from parents and grandparents who cite the high quality of the books, and the thoughtful accompanying guides for parents to provide background on topics, among their favorite aspects of the program.
[...]And then, there is the excitement felt by children each month when an envelope arrives in the mail addressed to them, and the joy the parents feel when they watch their children’s faces light up when they learn something new. “The program isn’t just free—that it makes learning about Judaism fun, is priceless,” commented Deborah Cooper, PJ Library program director.
The books that PJ Library selects are age-appropriate and are meant to engage a broad spectrum of Jewish families. Themes tend of focus on Jewish holidays, the Bible, Jewish values, and folklore. Their list even includes a few JPS titles (!), including Mrs. Moskowitz and the Sabbath Candlesticks, and A Coat for the Moon (you can browse through the full list of books here).
Wishing all the littlest residents of the Windy City happy reading,
Naomi
News From JPS- Tamara Cohn Eskenazi and Tikva Frymer-Kensky Awarded 2011 National Jewish Book Award for JPS Bible Commentary: Ruth
- The University of Nebraska Press and The Jewish Publication Society Announce Collaborative Publishing Agreement
- New Commentators' Bible: Numbers -- Available This Month!
- Tweet #Torah to the Top!
