On the Shelf
Being 3 years old with PJ Library
The PJ Library Book Selection Committee asks a lot of questions. Each month, the committee gathers to review a collection of books – both published and forthcoming – that will arrive in mailboxes a year after they’re chosen. Books must meet multiple quality and content benchmarks (Are we offering enough content on Jewish holidays? Values? History? Are we providing titles that show not just geographic and ethnic diversity, but also a diversity of Jewish practice?), but they also have to fit with the other books families receive (Too many folk tales? Not enough contemporary stories? Has this age received any Sephardi tales, or has it been mostly Ashkenazi?).
And then, of course, there’s the overriding question: Is this book good? Will it sit on a bookshelf gathering dust, or will a family read it again and again (and again)? It’s a tricky balance to strike, but we love the challenge. Here’s a look at how the Book Selection Committee made PJ Library an exciting experience for 3-year-olds and their families from August 2018 through August 2019.
August 2018
All the World
Written by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrated by Marla Frazee
This sweet title is illustrated by Marla Frazee, who not only won the Caldecott Award but also created the Boss Baby series that inspired the 2017 animated movie!
September 2018
There aren’t that many books about the holiday of Sukkot – and even fewer that combine that holiday with the perennial toddler favorite: trains!
October 2018
This title was one of the very first books PJ Library sent out. We still love this sweet interpretation of a classic Jewish tale, and we’re excited to send it again to a new generation of PJ Library families.
November 2018
Hanukkah!
Written by Roni Schotter
Illustrated by Marylin Hafner
Roni Schotter, author of this lovely portrayal of a classic Hanukkah, also wrote the PJ Library books Passover Magic and Purim Play.
December 2018
Families received CDs for the last time this December.
January 2019
Happy Birthday, Tree!
Written by Madelyn Rosenberg
Illustrated by Jana Christy
From board books all the way up to middle-grade books, Sydney Taylor Award-winner Madelyn Rosenberg crosses all ages of PJ Library kids.
February 2019
Saturdays Are Special
Written by Chris Barash
Illustrated by Abigail Marble
PJ Library has many, many books on Shabbat (and we can always use more!), but relatively few about Havdalah. This sweet story illustrates why the end of Shabbat is just as meaningful as the start.
March 2019
Pippa’s Passover Plate
Written by Vivian Kirkfield
Illustrated by Jill Weber
Every March, we try to send Passover books to each age group. This new title is not only a Passover book, but also a values book, highlighting the importance of ometz lev: courage.
April 2019
It’s a Mitzvah, Grover
Written by Tilda Balsley and Ellen Fischer
Illustrated by Tom Leigh
Kids will love seeing one of their favorite Sesame Street characters in a Jewish context…and parents will love introducing their children to the concept of mitzvot.
May 2019
Cucuricu! That’s Hebrew for “cock-a-doodle-doo.” This ambient slice of Israeli life provides readers a window into what things are like half a world away.
June 2019
I Love Camp!
Written and Illustrated by Todd Parr
You might recognize artist Todd Parr’s distinctive style from the PJ Library tzedakah box – hundreds of thousands of tzedakah boxes have been sent so far, with more going to new PJ Library families every December.
July 2019
Certain folktales are so good, they appear in our lineup again and again. Readers might also recognize this story in A Big Quiet House, Terrible, Terrible! and It Could Always Be Worse.
August 2019
Oh No, George!
Written and illustrated by Chris Haughton
This sweet tale about a dog who gets in trouble was also translated into Hebrew for PJ Library’s sister program in Israel, Sifriyat Pijama, which means Jewish kids around the globe will be delighting in George’s antics.