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Resources
Books Available for Young Children from the United Synagogue Book Service
For information about any of these books, call the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's book service department at 212-533-7800, ext. 2003. To order, call 1-800-594-5617, fax: 212-253-5422, or email: booksvc@uscj.org
Shabbat
- Seeking Shabbat Delight: A Program for Shabbat Morning Services for Young Children, by Lyndall Miller (1991) - A manual for leading Tot Shabbat programs, it provides a useful tool and guide for the experienced and novice leader. The manual contains an explanation of each prayer and suggested activities designed to communicate the ideas and emotions contained in the prayers while engaging the children's mind, body, and heart. The looseleaf format allows you to add your own ideas as well. 96 pages looseleaf - $21.00
- Just Enough Room, by Miriam Feinberg, illustrated by Marlene L. Ruthen (1991) - An enticing story about the transformative delight of Shabbat. Ages 3-6. 24 pages paperback - $4.95
Holidays
- NEW! Family Rhymes for Jewish Times: Children's Poems for Shabbat, Holidays and Everyday, by Shoshana Silberman, illustrated by Karen Ostrove (2005) - Wonderful illustrations accompany enchanting, funny, and thoughtful poems for the entire Jewish year. The snappy rhymes encourage children to help finish the poem, and the illustrations expand the joy and meaning of each page. Younger children will ask for this book again and again, and older children will delight in reading it themselves. Includes a glossary of Hebrew terms used in the poems. Ages 2-6. 35 pages, hard cover - $14.95
- Daniel and the Silver Flute retold, by Gerald C. Ruthen, illustrated by Marlene L. Ruthen (1986) - Daniel cannot pray or learn in the traditional way, but even his unusual prayer, straight from his heart, is important and acceptable to God. This story takes place on the High Holidays, but is perfect all year. Ages 3-6. 32 pages, hardcover - $11.95
- The Yom Kippur Think, by Miriam Feinberg, illustrated by Karen Ostrove (1994) - A wonderful story about truly understanding the most important aspects of Yom Kippur, told from the perspective of the child who spends most of Yom Kippur in the playroom with her friends. Ages 3-6. 32 pages, paperback - $8.00
- The Kid's Catalog of Hanukkah, by David A. Adler (2004) - What fun! This exciting interactive book is jam-packed with creative activities for the entire holiday. It's chock full of history, stories, activities, music, riddles, games, mazes, cartoons, puzzles, recipes, crafts, songs, and so much more. Adler provides just the right balance of education and entertainment. This is a book that children and their families will enjoy again and again, year after year. Ages 4-adult. 218 pages, paperback - $14.00
Jewish Life and Folktales
- Like a Knot in my Shoelace: A Yahrzeit Remembrance, by Ilene Munetz Pachman, illustrated by Karen Ostrove (1999) - A sensitive remembrance of a grandfather on his first yahrzeit from the perspective of a brother and sister, in a back-to-back format. Children and parents will find this book accessible and comforting. Ages 4-8. 32 pages, paperback - $9.85
- The Man with Many Telephones, by Sela Zellman and Brigitte Evans, illustrated by Marlene L. Ruthen (1987) - While waiting for his many telephones to ring, the book's hero, Mr. Levy, learns the true meaning of friendship and giving in a modern, Jewish way. Every child will benefit from this story. Ages 3-6. 32 pages, hardcover - $9.95
- Of Rabbit's Wool and Camel's Hair: Grandfather Owl Tells the Story of Adam and Chava, by Ted William Gross, illustrated by Diane D. Liff (1988) - Based on midrashim, this charming book presents an imaginative telling of the story of creation and life among the inhabitants of the Garden of Eden. Ages 4-8. 64 pages, hardcover - $10.50
- The Jews: One People, by Barbara Bar-Nissim, illustrated by Marlene L. Ruthen (1989) - Jews all over the world celebrate holidays and lifecycle events. This book joyfully illustrates with words and pictures some ways in which Jews from all over the world are similar and unique. Ages 3-8. 64 pages, hardcover - $15.95
Family Education
- Into the Ark: An Interactive Family Zoo Program, by Hana Berman and Lonna Picker (1997) - Presenting a structured family trip to the zoo that is both educational and entertaining, the kit includes an activity book and accompanying handbook plus an appendix with useful supplementary materials. Additional activity books can be purchased for each participating family. Kit (24 page Activity book plus 26 page handbook) - $9.95
Additional Activity books @ $4.85 each;
20+ copies for USCJ affiliates @ $2.85 each;
20+ copies for non-affiliates @ $3.50 each
Older Readers
- The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, by Hagit Allon and Lena Zehavi, illustrated by Yossi Abolafia (2004) - Daniel is 11 years old, lives in Jerusalem, and wants to be a detective. When assigned to do a school project on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Daniel discovers there are even bigger mysteries to be solved. His investigation takes him to the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where he gets his first clues, then on to Qumran in the Judean desert, where an archaeologist guides him through the place where the scrolls were found. Young readers will learn about one of the world's most exciting and important archaeological finds and get a feel for life in Israel today as they enjoy following Daniel's progress on his big case. Ages 7-10. 60 pages, paperback - $12.95
- Ilan Ramon: Jewish Star, by Devra Newberger Seregen (2004) - Ilan Ramon was a hero in every sense of the word. As Israel's first astronaut, he captured the hearts of Jews all around the world and was a national hero and a symbol of hope. For 16 exciting days, Ramon managed to bring a bit of Jewish culture, tradition, and history to the millions of people who followed the space mission. Young readers will be captivated by this biography, with its rich portrait of Ramon in words and photographs, as it celebrates the life of an extraordinary man and pays tribute to his enormous courage. Ages 9-12. 120 pages, paperback - $9.95
