MOTHER'S DAY SPECIALS! SHOW ME MORE
Barbara Bietz is an award-winning author of Jewish books for children. Several of her books are PJ Library/PJ Our Way selections. Barbara created the website Jewish Books for Kids where she interviews authors, illustrators, editors, and more. Barbara has served as chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards committee (Association of Jewish Libraries). She is currently the Assistant Regional Advisor of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in the Central California Region. She lives in Oak Park, California. June Sobel is the author of more than a dozen picture books for young children, including The Goodnight Train (Clarion Books), a best-selling bedtime story series. Barbara Bietz and June co-authored Apples, Apples, All Year Round (Apples & Honey Press, 2022), a rollicking, rhyming journey about apples and the joy of Jewish holiday celebrations. This book received the PJ Library Author Incentive Award. A graduate of Skidmore College and Stanford University, June lives in Westlake Village, California. Ruth Waters creates illustrations using collage, decorating the paper by hand using brushes, rollers - even old toothbrushes - to create unique textures. As an author/illustrator she has five published picture books and been shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2019 and 2020, Children's Book Category. She lives in England.
""Following their 2022 publication of the charming book Apples, Apples, All Year Round, which was also aimed at preschoolers, Barbara Bietz and June Sobel are now offering us a sweet look at challah, the bread most people associate with Jewish life and Shabbat celebrations. The authors reinforce these associations through lively text, lilting rhythm and rhyme, and colorful art depicting friendly animals, delicious treats, Shabbat closeness, and a variety of Judaic symbols. All the salient features of challah are included: its squishiness, sweetness, warmth, color, and, most important, its association with ritual and the participation of caring family members and friends. These details provide readers and listeners alike with a sense of comfort and joy. In a short afterword, the authors explain the blessings on the challah and remind us to be grateful for the bread we eat every day—to appreciate the satisfaction of sitting around the table and sharing challah with family on any occasion at all.""—Jewish Book Council ""Rhymed text and a host of North American woodland animals celebrate the tastiness of different kinds of challah: traditional braided challah for Shabbat, round for the New Year, rainbow, heart shaped. Whatever the style or recipe, it’s noted that the leftovers are delicious, and the best thing to do with challah is to share it with family and friends. This will be a fun family book for younger readers; preschools and libraries serving Jewish patrons will appreciate it. Bold print and vivid illustrations stand out on clean backgrounds."" —Association of Jewish Libraries
