Bagels from Benny

Written by Aubrey Davis
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Kids Can Press, 2005
978-1-55337-749-8
IL: Ages 4-8  RL: Grades 2-3

Benny loves to help out at his grandpa’s bakery in the morning, and the customers love the crusty bagels with their soft insides. When Grandpa explains to Benny that God, not him, should be thanked for the wonderful bagels, Benny sets out to do just that. He decides to leave God a bagful of bagels in the synagogue at the end of each week. And each week God eats the bagels—or so Benny thinks...

Bone Button Borscht

Written by Aubrey Davis
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Kids Can Press, 1996
978-1-55074-326-5
IL: Ages 4-8  RL: Grades 2-3

On a dark winter’s night, a ragged beggar dreams of a warm hearth and a delicious meal—and sets out to find just that. In this retelling of the classic folktale “Stone Soup,” a stranger teaches the poor villagers what can be accomplished with a few buttons and a little cooperation.

Chik Chat Shabbat

Written by Mara Rockcliff
Illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker
Candlewick Press, 2014
978-0-7636-5528-0
IL: Ages 3-7  RL: Grades 1-2

When Goldie Simcha doesn’t welcome everyone in for her famous cholent, her neighbours wonder what could be wrong. Little Lali Omar knocks on the door to 5-A and discovers that Goldie was too sick on Friday to cook, and everyone knows you can’t make cholent in a hurry! But it just isn’t Shabbat without Goldie’s soup. Can her neighbours save the day? 

Rachel Captures the Moon

Written and illustrated by Richard Ungar
Tundra Books, 2001
978-0-88776-505-6
IL: Ages 7-10  RL: Grades 2-3

The people of Chelm were crazy about the moon and the way it bathed the village in light. Not content to wait for the moon to rise, some of the villagers decide to capture it so they could see it whenever they wish. First the carpenter tries to reach it with a ladder. The next night the cook tries to entice the moon with soup. The musician, the weaver, and the fisherman all use their arts to try to lure the moon down to the village. To everyone’s surprise, young Rachel succeeds. But how does she capture the moon?

Sitting Shiva

Written by Erin Silver
Illustrated by Michelle Theodore
Orca Book Publishers, 2022
978-1-4598-2772-1
IL: Ages 6-8  RL: Grades 2-3

A girl grieves the loss of her mother. When friends and family arrive to sit shiva, she refuses to come downstairs. Eventually, she comes out of hiding to find solace with others. She feels stronger and more nourished, and she understands the beautiful tradition of sitting shiva. A story about grief, loss, comfort and the importance of community.

Something From Nothing: 20th Anniversary Edition

Written and illustrated by Phoebe Gilman
Scholastic Canada, 2008
978-1-4431-1946-7
IL: Ages 5-8  RL: Grades 2-3

Joseph's grandfather made him a beautiful blanket when he was a baby, but now it's frazzled and worn, and Joseph's mother says it is time to throw it out. Joseph doesn't want to part with his special blanket, and he's sure that his grandfather can fix it. Sure enough, Grandfather miraculously alters the blanket into useful items again and again. But when Joseph loses the final item, even Grandfather can't make something from nothing. But maybe Joseph can?

Ten Old Men and a Mouse

Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Gary Clement
Tundra Books, 2007
978-0-88776-716-6
IL: Ages 8-12  RL: Grades 3-4

The synagogue was once a busy, bustling place, but now only ten old men come to tend it and pray each day. Then one day, a little scritch-scratch betrays the first new member in years: a tiny mouse who has taken up residence among the holy books. Of course, a trap must be set, but who will do it? Al volunteers, but in the morning the mouse is still there, and is just a little more appealing than he was before.

We Belong Here

Written by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Ruth Ohi
North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada, 2023
978-1-4431-9403-7
IL: Ages 4-8  RL: Grades 2-3

Eve Bloom hates being taunted at school for being a newcomer. This is her home. So, when she hears children saying hateful things to Mark Nakamura, she defends him. A fast friendship forms. When Eve’s family’s business is threatened, and Mark’s father is fired, Eve shows everyone that when friends help one another the whole community is better together.