The master of magic and escape got his start trying to walk a tightrope! It took the young Harry Houdini more than a few tries (and falls) to learn how to stay up there. This fun fold-out book is full of exciting information about Houdini’s life and greatest tricks.

TALK IT OVER WITH YOUR KIDS

Look Closely

Who helps Harry to become a tightrope walker? What types of assistance does Harry receive from his various helpers?

Examine the illustrations. How can you tell that this story takes place in the late 1800s?

Look at the timeline and biography side of this book. Which of Harry’s accomplishments most impresses you? Why?

Your Turn

Can you describe a time when you needed to practice again and again in order to learn something? How did you feel when you accomplished your goals?

How do you think Harry’s mother and father felt as they watched Harry struggle to become a tightrope walker?

When you feel scared or frightened, how do you calm yourself down?

HANDS ON!

Walk the Line

We don’t recommend that you try walking on a clothesline in your backyard, the way Harry does in this story — but here’s a way to practice your balance skills more safely. Set up a balancing challenge on the ground!

Supplies: Masking or painter’s tape

Place a length of tape in a straight line on the floor. Practice walking heel-to-toe across the line without stepping off.

Now use tape to create a zigzagging line on the floor, and walk heel-to-toe on that without falling off.

Once you’ve mastered that, try walking backwards on first the straight line, then the zigzagging line!

Harvest Blessings

Before we eat, it's traditional to take a moment to appreciate our food and express gratitude. This lovely flip book offers the Jewish blessings for all the harvests, whether from the earth or the vine.

Harvest of Light

Follow along with an Israeli family as they make their own olive oil from fresh olives picked right from their own trees. It’s a bit of a process, but the resulting oil is not only delicious, it’s perfect for lighting a traditional Hanukkah menorah.

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman

Mrs. Goldman is always knitting for everyone else in the neighborhood, and young Sophie helps her out by making pom-poms. But one day Sophie decides she wants to go beyond pom-poms and knit something for Mrs. Goldman, too. Who knew knitting could be so tricky? But Sophie gets an idea that ends up with a one-of-a-kind hat for her friend.

Havdalah Sky

Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is a time for cozy family togetherness. But come Saturday evening, Shabbat is over. The family in the story, a young girl joined by her Mama, Ima, Savta, and Saba, gathers together to perform the rituals of Havdalah, marking the end of Shabbat and the return to the work week. Together they show just how cozy even the end of Shabbat can be.

Have You Ever Zeen a Ziz?

Have you ever ZEEN a ZIZ? Do you even know what one IZ? Readers will love learning about the mythical Ziz, a creature mentioned in both the Torah and the Talmud.

The Heart-Shaped Leaf

One day, as Alona walks home in the rain, a very special leaf falls on her head. This gentle story illustrates the unique relationship human beings have with the natural world — especially trees.

Help-a-Lot Shabbat

Getting ready for Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, can take a lot of preparation. Luckily, little ones often enjoy taking on household tasks (with varying results!). Whether you’re sweeping, cleaning, shopping, or chopping, this sweet book will remind you that small children love to “help a lot” – and including them can be a lovely bonding ritual, before Shabbat or anytime.

A Hen for Izzy Pippik

What’s a girl to do when she finds a chicken and can’t return it to its owner? How long should she wait before calling the bird (and its many offspring!) her own? Shaina seems prepared to wait forever for Izzy Pippik to return.

Here is the World

The cycle of the Jewish year is a world of joy, significance, and wonder, especially for a new baby encountering each holiday for the first time. As the leaves turn gold, flutter to the ground, and are ultimately replaced by fresh green buds, we follow the Jewish year from one milestone to the next.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Hershel finds a way to outwit the goblins that haunt the village synagogue and are keeping the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah.

Hi, Hello, Welcome

As the child in this book greets visitors with a smile and a wave and a friendly shalom (Hebrew for “hello,” “goodbye,” and “peace”), he is practicing one of the oldest and most important Jewish values: hachnasat orchim, Hebrew for “welcoming guests.” Everyone can do it – even the smallest among us!

Hillel Builds a House

Hillel loves building little play houses, but they keep not quite working. His Purim house gets soaked, and his Hanukkah house is a fire hazard. But then, Sukkot comes along...a holiday perfect for building houses!

Hillel Takes a Bath

When Rabbi Hillel tells his students that he’s using a cloth to do a mitzvah, they’re all confused. What mitzah could he possibly be doing that involves a cloth? Here’s a hint: They’re forgetting about the mitzvah of taking care of one’s body. Here’s another: After reading this book, you might be in the mood for a good bubble bath!

A Hole in the Boat

Ten sailors sail together in a great ship. What happens when one sailor decides to drill a hole only in his cabin? An amusing version of an ancient story that illustrates the well-known myth that “all of Israel are responsible for one another.”

A Holiday for Ari Ant

Ari Any loves Jewish holidays -- but he's never heard of Lag B'Omer. What is it about? And is it any fun for ants?

A Holiday For Noah

Noah loves so many things about nursery school. He particularly looks forward to Fridays, when he shares a pre-Shabbat snack of challah with his classmates.

Honeyky Hanukah

Woody Guthrie’s music had many influences -- including his mother-in-law, Aliza Greenblatt, who inspired the rollicking, toe-tapping lyrics of this book.

A Hoopoe Says Oop!

A cow says moo, and a sheep says baa. But what do the ibex, hyrax, and other critters native to Israel say? (We bet you can already guess what a hoopoe says!)

Hoppy Hanukkah!

The youngsters in a rabbit family learn about the customs of Hanukkah as they celebrate with their loving relatives.

Hoppy Passover!

Bunny siblings Violet and Simon happily learn about Passover as they help their family prepare for the seder. The items on the seder plate take on meaning for the pair, and the relatives share their favorite aspects of the holiday.

A Horn for Louis

In the early part of the 20th century, young Louis Armstrong is helped by a Jewish family in his quest to own a “real” horn. In the process, Louis learns about Hanukkah and the power of friendship and goodwill.

A Horse for Hanukkah

Hannah gets the horse she has always wanted as a gift for Hanukkah. The challenges of living with a horse – one that speaks Hebrew, no less! -- in a cramped apartment soon become apparent.

The House on the Roof

When a landlady objects to a sukkah on the roof of her building, how will her tenant celebrate Sukkot? The judge comes up with solution that works for everyone.

How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box

As Dalia explores tzedakah with her friends, she creates a tzedakah box where she can keep the money she’s saving to help those in need. In the process Dalia, her friends and her little brother Yossi learn about the power and joy of giving to others.

How Do Candles Light the Night?

Simmy and Sammy like to get to the bottom of things -- scientifically. So when it’s time to light candles to usher in Shabbat, they don’t just want to know why...they want to know how!

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah?

From the warm glow of holiday candles to the fun of family gatherings, dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Sometimes the excitement of Chanukah can lead to some unexpected dinosaur behaviors!

How Kind

When Hen surprises Pig with an unexpected gift, Pig is inspired to do the same thing for Rabbit. Now Rabbit is inspired, too! This sweet, simple book exemplifies the concept of mitzvah goreret mitzvah -- one good deed leads to another.

How to Be a Mensch by A. Monster

Do you have three heads? Or green skin? No matter who you are or what you look like, you too can be a mensch! Good deeds can be enjoyed by all, even a monster.

How to Get to Savta's for Shabbat

Through the jungle, down the slide, up to the moon, and onto a cloud . . . the journey to Shabbat dinner at Savta’s (Hebrew for “grandmother’s”) house is full of adventure!

How to Heal a Broken Wing

All the grownups in the city were too busy to notice. Only a small child saw the injured pigeon lying helplessly on the sidewalk. This quiet story of a boy, a bird, and a broken wing relates the power of compassion, patience, and hope.

The Hungry Clothes

Here are 22 Jewish tales, some told with humor and all sure to inspire conversation. Each story contains a message that resonates with Jewish values.

I Can Help

When this little duck gets lost, he needs help getting home where he belongs. Luckily, lots and lots of animals are available to help -- just the way a community should be!

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

Disagreeing does not necessarily make you disagreeable. Just ask Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman on the US Supreme Court. When she was a young girl, lots of people told her she didn’t have what it took to do the things she wanted to do, but she disagreed -- and proved them wrong. Now she shows the whole world that sometimes it’s important to say “I dissent!”

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel

Hanukkah is a great time to get together and enjoy delicious foods. But Bubbe got confused and ate all the wrong things!

I Love Camp!

A great way to introduce the concept of camp to little ones!

I Say Shehechiyanu

When you’re a small child, life is a series of firsts -- first steps, first words, first teeth, first snow! Jewish tradition has a special prayer, the Shehechiyanu, that recognizes the importance of each and every first.

If I Lived with Noah

Imagine what life would be like on the ark. What kinds of things would you have to do? This boy has ideas!

I'm a Little Acorn

It’s hard to believe that a tiny acorn can become a huge oak tree, but with a little help from the sun, the rain, and the earth, that’s exactly what happens. Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees, is a great time to learn a bit about how trees become to be.