Reviews written by Beth Rodgers, Staff Reviewer

“A Turkish Rosh Hashanah” by Etan Basseri, illustrated by Zeynep Ozatalay, shares the story of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and how one family is busy preparing for it. When Rafael and his cousins, Alegra and Leon, go shopping in the Turkish market to prepare for their Rosh Hashanah...

“I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You’ll Like” by Suzy Ultman is a cute, to the point board book with words such as “punim,” “schmutz,” “schpiel,” “kvetch,” “schpilkes,” “meshugas,” and a handful more. The illustrations show off the meaning of the words in cute, childlike ways. The definition...

“Welcome to Camp Snoopy” by Charles M. Schulz, adapted by Jason Cooper from the show, Camp Snoopy, engages readers by taking them on a trip through the world of camping, from how to prepare for it, to dealing with homesickness, taking part in activities like arts and crafts, singing, pizza...

“How to Make a Picture Book” by Elys Dolan provides the ultimate step-by-step guide to ensuring that when one starts a picture book, that person knows just where to go and how to get to the end point. Cute characters share the inner workings of writing a story that will...

“A Mitzvah for George Washington” by Rachelle Burk, illustrated by Chiara Fedele, allows readers the opportunity to see, through a work of historical fiction, how religious freedom is so very important in our lives. The genuine goodness the children in the story feel about sharing their thanks with President Washington...

“Mighty Mindsets” by Niamh Doyle, illustrated by Carol Betera, explores questions that any person might have about how to be more mindful of issues that take place in one’s life. Geared toward children, life’s challenges are discussed in a clear, succinct way, allowing children to discover ways to be more...

“Growing Up: An Inclusive Guide to Puberty and Your Changing Body” by Rachel Greener, illustrated by Clare Owen, shares the journey through puberty with readers who are nearing or going through the process themselves. Leading readers from birth through understanding gender, to dealing with bodily changes, this book strives to...

“The Magical Moroccan Rug” by Naveed Mir takes readers on a fantastical journey through time. It all begins when Yusuf’s grandfather comes to visit. When Grandpa gives Yusuf a rug as a gift, Yusuf and his friend Jack can’t figure out what the importance of it is, if any. It...

“Birth of the Bicycle: A Bumpy History of the Bicycle in America” by Sarah Nelson, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno, shares the beginnings of bicycles, from those without pedals to the way bikes look today. It was not a simple process to create the bike as it is currently known. There...

“From Pyramids to Palaces: Architecture Around the World” by Tom Velcovsky and Jiri Bartunek, illustrated by Marie Kraus, takes readers on a journey through time and place, starting with an introduction that encourages readers to think about buildings as they currently know them and then look back into past buildings...

“Why on This Night? A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration” by Rahel Musleah, illustrated by Louise August, is the recipient of a Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award through the Association of Jewish Libraries. This beautifully illustrated Haggadah, used for the Jewish Passover seder, is perfect for young people and their...

“Stand Up!” by Tori Sharp is a graphic novel about two best friends, Clay and Kyle, who start their own podcast. They both want to try something new and find something they’re good at, and this middle grade novel does a nice job of giving these characters just that. ...

“Dashed” by Amanda Quain takes readers into a world of romance, travel, and family dynamics. When Margaret Dashwood heads off on a cruise for the summer with her sister, Elinor, and Elinor’s husband, she looks forward to spending time with the two of them and enjoying her final summer before...

“The Light from My Menorah: Celebrating Holidays Around the World” by Robin Heald and Andrea Blinick is a beautifully illustrated tale about how the light from a Chanukah menorah lights up the night, travels through space, and sweeps across the desert and other parts of the world. There are many...

“Shakespeare’s First Folio—All the Plays: A Children’s Edition,” illustrated by Emily Sutton, is a beautifully illustrated, bound collection of Shakespeare’s plays. Fourteen comedies, ten histories, and twelve tragedies make up the pages of this splendidly engaging foray into the realm of Shakespeare. The book does...