Editor's Picks - Pitome Publishing, LLC

Seder Songs - New Melodies for the Haggadah
by Jonah Winter

Before Passover, we take every opportunity to infuse our air waves with a variety of Seder melodies. This lovely compilation by the Gemini Twins is delightful. Original new melodies encompass an array of musical talents.

King Corn DVD
by Aaron Woolf; starring Michael Pollan and Ian Cheney

The Passover purge means eliminating all corn products from our pantries. While you’re at it, don’t miss this incredible journey to the heart of corn country. Two college buddies decide to raise an acre of corn and make some surprising discoveries about the American food system. View this film to find out why our generation of Americans is at risk of living shorter lives than our parents. After that, the decisions are up to you!

Benjamin and the Silver Goblet
by Jacqueline Jules

Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim: A Passover Story
by Deborah Bodin Cohen

Two popular tales are now available in affordable paperback. The engaging stories are closely aligned with Torah text, adding classical and modern midrash. Ages 4-9.

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!
by Jonah Winter

This is a captivating sports story for children and sports fans alike. Brilliant Salvador Dali style illustrations are complemented with carefully chosen, engaging narrative about Koufax’s life. Koufax aimed at greatness, but also defined his life around his Jewish values and desire for personal health. Sports fans of all ages will be drawn in by the cover – with its “lenticular” plastic holographic lenses. Pages also contain fun statistics including “Most Famous Players”, “Best Lefties”, and “When Bad Seasons Happen”. Ages 4-9 + adults (review by Eric Brody)

The Princess and the Ziz
by Jacqueline Jules

Just in time for Purim, the lovable Ziz is requested to keep company with King Solomon’s daughter. Sequestered in a tower to keep her from meeting the wrong mate, Princess Magda longs to see the world. The Ziz can’t say no, and off they go, until…oh dear, they meet a man. King Solomon weighs in with true values for a match made in the heavens. Ages 3-7.

Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!
by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

This book provides a “spring” board of seed explorations for young explorers. Buddy Bear receives a package from Gramps. Five special bags provide five days of seed explorations. Read the book, and try the activities at school or home. (ages 3-8)

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
Michael Pollan

In brief, Pollan advocates, “eat food, not too much, mostly plants”. Add a new dimension to Tu B’Shevat food discussions as you revisit your relationship to daily eating. This book may radically change your view of supermarkets, assessing the nutritional content of foods, and eating out in general. This book provides pause, to reconsider the question, “What is real food?”

Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert CD
by CraigNCo

Bring on new Hanukkah ruach (spirit) with this innovative and exciting collaborative music CD. Artists include the Klezmatics with lyrics by Woody Guthrie, classic cantorial blessings and song (Ocho Kandelikas) by Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, a children’s choir, Michelle Citrin of YouTube fame, and Peter Yarrow’s Light One Candle. Plus there are so many original tracks; you’ll have plenty of new oil for your Hanukkah song repertoire. Catch the visual delight of dancers and “jazzed” musicians on a local PBS broadcast near you.

My First Shabbat Board Book
Clare Lister, ed.

This extraordinary board book takes toddlers on a Shabbat journey. It is loaded with fabulous modern photographs and smiling faces. The book starts with overview of Shabbat, followed by a summary of creation. The last section engages children in making distinctions between large/small, tall/short, counting, and comparisons. It’s too bad the book doesn’t include more Jews of color. Even so, it is an unusually high quality product. (Ages 1-4)

Sparkle and Shine Noah's Ark
by Andrea Pinnington

WOW! Delight your eyes with fimo-crafted characters dressed in bright biblical garb, holographic backgrounds, sparkling bolts of lightning, and shiny seas. The rhyming text summarizes the Noah story beyond pediatric basics. Page spreads contain a discussion question and provide prompts to engage children in storytelling, developing their observations skills, and build reading skills. This book is nearly as good as visiting the almost life-sized Noah’s Ark at the Skirball museum. It should certainly win awards. (Ages 1-6)

The Children's Illustrated Jewish Bible & CD
Retold by Laaren Brown and Lenny Hort

Don’t miss this ultimate home-reference for Jewish Bible stories. This is a children’s storybook, encyclopedia, and feast of facts wrapped into one amazing resource. Jewish authors retell more than 70 stories for young readers. Page spreads include illustrations, high quality photographs, maps, quotes and more. Material goes beyond the Five Books of Moses to include highlights from Prophets and Writings. We listen to the audio CD in the car. It’s a great way to sneak in extra Judaica. What a great gift. (Ages 5-8)

The Wedding That Saved a Town
by Yale Strom

Yiske the klezmer musician is invited to play at an important wedding in Pinsk. When he arrives, he discovers he must find the appropriate groom. Following the advice of the all-knowing town barber, he and his horse find a modest match. A miracle ensues, and everyone lives happily ever after. Buy the book and read the unusual circumstances! This is a great jumping point for discussing mitzvot and intentions. (ages 5-10)

Accept and Value Each Person
by Cheri J. Meiners

This is a perfect follow-up to Yom Kippur and teshuvah (making amends). Now that we’ve forgiven our friends, family, God, and ourselves, it is time to look around with fresh eyesight. Multicultural drawings encourage values of empathy, cooperation, respect, and kindness in classroom settings. Since this is a secular offering, no children wear kippot, but one girl is modestly dressed including a hijab (head covering). (ages 4-8)

Feelings to Share /
Manners are Important
by Todd & Peggy Snow

Wow, a whole book series on self-esteem, feelings, and manners. These two titles are available as board books or paperback for ages 3 and up. We love the fabulous modern, multi-cultural illustrations. These are excellent discussion starters.

Jewish Stories from Heaven and Earth:
Inspiring Tales to Nourish the Heart and Soul
Edited by Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins

Masterful stories touch on achievement, kindness, and courage
to touch the soul. Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi calls these “inspiring Hasidic stories in everyday contemporary clothes. (adult)

The King in the Field
by Dina Rosenfeld

Elul thoughts for preschoolers. Five good friends spend an afternoon together in the field, wishing they could somehow enter the palace for a meeting with the king. What kind of surprise is in store for them, and for all of us? (ages 2-5)

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