Ten Holiday Jewish Children's Stories (Storyteller (Hardcover Pitspopany)) [Hardcover]

Barbara Diamond Goldin (Author), Jeffrey Allon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Storyteller (Hardcover Pitspopany)

Using both original stories and classics gleaned from Rabbinic and Talmudic lore, the author has chosen tales that express the meaning of all the major Jewish holidays. At the end of each story there is a "Now Consider This" section designed to help the child and parent explore the moral message integrated into each tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Ten stories, each related to a historical event or a tradition (blowing the shofar, sleeping in the sukkah, etc.) that springs from a Jewish holiday, are included in this spirited collection. With many quotes, simple language, and some large, double-spread pictures just right for showing to small groups, the collection is a natural for storytellers. Several of the tales are framed in a dialogue between a loving grandmother and her grandchildren, and humor is sometimes an ingredient: the people in "Wake up and Beat the Drums" could live in Chelm. But Goldin gives each tale a deeper meaning, which she reinforces with questions at the end of the tales. The questions will help listeners think about the message in the story and how it relates to their own Jewish lives. For larger religion collections. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Barbara Goldin is the author of 15 children's books. She has received the coveted Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award for her contribution to Jewish literature for children. In addition, Barbara has received the National Jewish Book Award and the Association of Jewish Libraries Award.

Barbara teaches Language Arts at Heritage Academy in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and lives nearby Northampton.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 45 pages
• Publisher: Simcha Media Group (NJ) (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943706475
• ISBN-13: 978-0943706474
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Diamond Goldin has written picture books, story collections, non-fiction, retellings, and historical fiction. In 1997, she received the prestigious Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries. This award is presented to the author whose collected works are a distinguished contribution to Jewish literature for children. "Goldin's consistently commendable and recommendable books combine talented writing, solid research, personal commitment and deep caring".

Barbara is currently a children's librarian. She also leads writing workshops and speaks about being a writer to school and library groups all over the country.

For ten years she taught language arts and creative writing to 5th through 8th graders and for eleven years before that she was a preschool teacher. Her B.A. is in psychology from the University of Chicago and she did post-graduate work in teaching and school library media at Western Washington University and Boston University.

Barbara Diamond Goldin says, "As a child, I was an avid reader, letter-writer, and frequenter of the public library. When I reached babysitting age, I discovered I loved making up and telling stories to my charges who would ask to have me back so they could hear the sequels to my stories. Later as an adult I turned the stories I told into written stories.

"When writing, I dig into my past, my childhood, my family, and my personal experiences for material. I also research my subjects thoroughly and feel this adds depth to what I write. I love folklore and religion and the psychology of why people act the way they do. I find that often during the process of writing, I touch on questions and feelings that are closest to me.

"My ideas often come from my own past and my family's past, from experiences I have had and from conversations I overhear or participate in. The ideas can also come from dreams and visual images that pop into my mind, sometimes while I'm driving. Then I have to pull over, get out my pencil and paper and write feverishly, hoping I'll be able to read my handwriting later.

"My favorite place to work is in the college library near my house. I always heave a sigh of relief when I step into the peace and quiet of the library, knowing I have a few uninterrupted hours of writing ahead of me.

"I still love to write and research and discover new worlds on paper. I even discover things about myself and my family. Writing is an exciting process for me. I'm never certain when I sit down to write what the next few hours will bring."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A children's picturebook anthology of classic Jewish tales, December 7, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ten Holiday Jewish Children's Stories (Storyteller (Hardcover Pitspopany)) (Hardcover)

Barbara Goldin's Ten Holiday Jewish Children's Stories is a unique children's picturebook anthology of classic Jewish tales, each tied to a holiday. The first portion is devoted to the tales themselves; each story is presented on two pages, and concluded with some "Now Consider This" questions for young people to think over. The stories include the origin of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, and more. After each story is a gorgeous, full-color, two-page painting by Jeffrey Allon illustrating the types of events and celebration associated with the tale. A highly recommended introduction to the wonders and festive events that comprise the rich tradition of Jewish holidays.