Jewish Books For Jewish Kids

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of introducing Jewish books to your children. Reading is an important activity for even small children, as it stimulates ideas outside of their day-to-day experience, prepares them for school, and greatly expands their vocabulary. Shared storytimes are also a wonderful way to connect with your child…not just at bedtime, but after you’ve kindled your Shabbos candles, as a restful activity after lunch, or any time your kid is interested in a cuddle with you and a book.

Kids really internalize the messages in books. By selecting a Jewish book from a publisher that reflects values authentic to our heritage you can be assured your kids are reading something you are comfortable with. If your child reads conventional fairy tales, they may come to believe that beauty is their greatest asset or that they can be rescued by the kiss of a prince. On the other hand, if they read Kind Little Rivka by Dina Rosenfeld (Hachai), or The Story of Mimmy and Simmy by Yaffa Ganz (Feldheim), they learn healthier attitudes for young girls. Think carefully about what your children is learning from some of the most popular kids’ books today (I refuse to name names because some of them don’t deserve any publicity).

Additionally, children will often find lessons in books more palatable than if told directly by a parent or teacher. That is why our sages have relied so much on mashalim, midrashim, and aggadot! Among the most popular of middos-oriented books for young children are those of Menucha Beckerman (distributed by Israel Book Shop). There’s also a new middos series with dynamite illustrations by Ruth Beifus (Feldheim).

The quality and variety of Jewish books has skyrocketed in the last ten years, and the children’s book world is definitely no exception. There are wonderful books now available for varied interests and every age level, from board books for toddlers to novels for teens. What is a nicer way to introduce upcoming Jewish holidays than snuggling with a parent and a bedtime story? Try the Raffi books from Yeshara Gold (Artscroll), a Sammy the Spider book by Sylvia Rouss (Kar-Ben) or one of the Bina and Benny and Haggai HaYonah books by Yaffa Ganz (Artscroll). Are your kids going to their first wedding, visiting the doctor, or starting school? Try one of Rikki Benefield’s books (Hachai). Recently decided to begin hosting guests? Warm up your children to the concept by reading Dovi and the Surprise Guests by Goldie Golding (Artscroll), Whose Sleeping on my Sofabed? by Ruby Grossblatt (Hachai) or Much, Much Better by Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky (also Hachai).

You say your boy hates to read? Graphic novels based on Jewish heroes of the past or on famous fables have become a popular with boys. Two examples of these are Gadi Pollack’s Once Upon a Tale: Twelve Illustrated Parables from the DubnoMaggid and A Neverending Tale: Illustrated Parables of the Ba'al Shem Tov and His Disciples (Feldheim).

Another source of wonderful children’s literature that cannot be overlooked is periodicals. Jewish newspapers and magazines such as Mishpacha, The Binah, and HaModia each have a children’s department or include an entire kids’ mag weekly with your subscription. There are also Jewish kids-only magazines, such as Olomeinu and Yaldah. A subscription to these magazines or newpapers provides our children with a greater variety of stories than by just perusing their bookshelves. After candlelighting on Shabbos, my kids plop on the couch and read Jewish magazines that have arrived in time for Shabbos or Yom Tov.

Buying these books (and periodicals), of course, is optimal. It brings in money to our community and ensures Jewish publishers can keep making these wonderful books. The current state of the economy has hit the entire publishing world hard, as has the advent of e-books and the like. However, borrowing books from a friend or a library is an inexpensive and fun option, if you prefer.

When you have enjoyed a Jewish book, a fabulous thing you can do is write a review on Amazon, Barnes&Noble.com, or the like.  Few frum books have been reviewed in those places, and unfortunately, many “Jewish” books found on those sites aren’t really very Toradik. Additional positive reviews for “Kosher” books on these popular sites could help sell more of those types of books. Amazon also has a function called, Listmania, which allows people to make book recommendations under custom-made categories. These pop up when customers run certain searches (You can see my example on Amazon under the heading “Great Picture Books for Jewish Children”). You could be mekarev someone you've never seen just by praising the right book or including it on your list!