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HONEY ON THE PAGE

Name: HONEY ON THE PAGE
Author: Miriam Udel
ISBN: 978-1-4798-7413-2

A TREASURY OF YIDDISH CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

edited by Miriam Udel ; translated by Miriam Udel ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 6, 2020

A family-oriented yet scholarly anthology of Yiddish literature.

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Yiddish literature for children has had a rich history and has been written all over the world.

An extensive collection of Yiddish literary texts for children translated into English, this anthology contains works from familiar as well as not so widely known Yiddish language writers. Arranged by theme, 46 works are presented along with biographical information about their authors as well as the occasional illustration. While the book’s substantial introduction proclaims that the tome is meant for intergenerational sharing rather than for young people to read independently, the small typeset and sporadic art make this book most ideal for scholarly readers, storytellers, and perhaps the occasional read-aloud with young listeners. Some of the themes included are Jewish holidays, Jewish history, fairy tales and fables, school stories, and family stories, among others. Some pieces are religious in nature while others are more cultural. Readers may recognize several of these stories, including the timely and iconic war and peace tale “A Boy and His Samovar” by Jacob Reisfeder. Other stories, like “What Izzy Knows About Lag Ba’Omer” by Malka Szechet, a simple, informative tale about the minor—yet fun—holiday of Lag Ba’Omer, might be new to readers. This collection, with its comprehensive and valuable set of stories and poetry, would make a great addition to academic libraries in particular.

A family-oriented yet scholarly anthology of Yiddish literature. (illustration credits, original sources) (Anthology. 10-adult)

Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-4798-7413-2

Page Count: 352

Publisher: New York Univ.

Review Posted Online: July 28, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020

Categories:

RELIGIOUS FICTION | CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT RELIGIOUS FICTION

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DON'T FEED THE LION

by Bianna Golodryga & Yonit Levi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 11, 2025

An uneven depiction of how antisemitism manifests on social media and in real life.

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Jewish siblings Theo and Annie Kaplan grapple with antisemitism in their middle school and society at large.

When soccer-obsessed Theo’s favorite player makes an antisemitic statement at a press conference, the ensuing social media spiral sickens Theo. His teammates’ dismissive reactions further unsettle the eighth grader. When someone draws a swastika on Theo’s locker, he initially suppresses his feelings before eventually lashing out. Sixth grader Annie responds to the controversy by lying to the school librarian, whom she adores: She’s wracked with guilt but uses a library computer to create an illicit social media account and jump right into the fray, rebutting the bigotry she sees online. The boisterous, white-presenting Kaplan family incorporates meaningful Jewish practices into their regular lives, although the authors’ depictions evoke some Jewish tropes, like the overbearing grandmother who must be covertly managed by other family members. Theo and Annie’s university professor parents pressure their children to stand up for themselves without offering much meaningful support. Using multiple first-person perspectives—including that of new kid Gabe, who’s mourning the loss of his mother to Covid-19—the authors maintain a quick pace even as both siblings reach a point of crisis. Theo and Annie remain likable and realistic in their behavior, but the characterization unfortunately struggles to keep pace with the action, leaving some of the emotions feeling abrupt and unearned.

An uneven depiction of how antisemitism manifests on social media and in real life. (Fiction. 9-13)

Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025

ISBN: 9781467196215

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Arcadia Children's Books

Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS FICTION | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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GOD GAVE US EASTER

From the God Gave Us You series

by Lisa Tawn Bergren & illustrated by Laura J. Bryant ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 2013

Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations.

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Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success.

When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant’s charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect.

Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)