In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph’s baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left–but then Joseph has an idea.
Something From Nothing
Americas
Materials from the Americas
Strudel, Strudel, Strudel
A rollicking text and colorful paintings explain why, in Chelm, teachers may not live on top of a hill, own a trunk with wheels, or eat apple strudel. By the author of The Adventures of High John the Conquerer.
Five Little Gefiltes
Five little gefilte fish sneak out of their jar and explore the world, causing their poor mother great worry. Includes a note about gefilte fish and a glossary of Yiddish words.
Something For Nothing
Dog lived in the noisiest part of Bialystok. All day long he heard the hubbub of the nearby marketplace, and all night long he heard the banging and clanging of workmen unloading their goods. When he could take the racket no more, Dog set off for the country to find a quieter place to live. On his first night in his new home, a gang of howling and yowling, hissing and screeching cats terrorize him, destroying his newfound peace and quiet. Inspired by a Jewish folk tale, how Dog outwits the rascally cats makes for a humorous, satisfying story, exuberantly illustrated with stunning jewel-toned paintings reminiscent of Marc Chagall’s. Afterword.
Aesop Accolades (Awards)
Going Going
Florrie’s favorite coffee shop, with its open mike night, dreamy candles, and cute waiters … Going? The mysterious little hut selling fresh lemon ice on the west side of town … Going? The boutique featuring clothes you don’t find at the mall, allowing you to look like … an interesting person … Going? Individuality. Originality. Quality. Independence. Opportunity. Going, going, gone. What’s a girl to do?
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 4
Cruisers
Zander and his friends, Kambui, LaShonda, and Bobbi start their own newspaper, The Cruiser, as a means for speaking out, keeping the peace, and expressing what they believe. When the school launches a mock Civil War, Zander and his friends are forced to consider the true meaning of democracy and what it costs to stand up for a cause. The result is nothing they could have expected, and everything they could have hoped for. Zander Scott and his friends, Kambui, LaShonda, and Bobbi are in trouble. Even though they’re students at DaVinci, one of the best Gifted and Talented schools in Harlem, their grades are slipping, and Mr. Culpepper, the Assistant Principal and Chief Executioner, is ready to be rid of them. When the school starts a unit on the Civil War, and kids split up into Union and Confederate sympathizers, Zander and his crew are given a charge to negotiate a peace between both sides before the war actually breaks out. That’s when Zander comes up with the idea to launch an alternative school newspaper called The Cruiser. What he and his friends learn is that their writing has power to keep the peace, but that words can be weapons, too. Soon everyone at DaVinci is forced to consider the true meaning of democracy and what it costs to stand up for a cause.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 4
God’s Gift
A simple retelling of the story from Genesis of how God created the first man and then made creatures, including the first woman, to keep him company.
In The Days Of Sand And Stars
Take out your time telescope, wipe the dust and cobwebs from its lens, tilt it upwards, and find a twinkling speck of light. Now look behind it … way back, to the days of sand and stars. Here are the Midrash stories of famous women whose names you may know, but whose daily lives and human thoughts have been ignored for far too long. From Eve to Emzera, from Sarah to Rebecca, they are presented here with humor and affection as they face a new and changing world where miracles and customs shape their destiny. Midrash tales are what-if stories built around the grains of information the Bible offers, and author Marlee Pinsker excels as she imbues these legendary women with warmth and spirit.
Eve And Her Sisters
Presents brief stories of fourteen women who are mentioned in the Old Testament, including Eve, Ruth, Hagar, and Deborah.
David And Goliath
The acclaimed illustrator of Cyclops and Jason and the Golden Fleece embellishes with his beautiful, full-color drawings, the story of David, whose faith in God helped him to challenge Goliath, the towering Philistine giant.