Most Popular Books by Eric A Kimmel

A traveler rids a village synagogue of ghosts. A Caldecott Honor Book.

Seven-year-old Louis Armstrong was too poor to buy a real horn. He didn't even go to school. To help his mother pay the rent, Louis had a job. Every day he rode a junk wagon through the streets of New Orleans, playing his tin horn and collecting stuff people didn't want. Then one day the junk wagon passed a pawn shop with a gleaming brass trumpet in the window. . . . A Horn for Louis is perfect for Black History Month. With messages about hard work, persistence, hope, tolerance, cooperation, trust, and friendship, it's perfect for the rest of the year, too!From the Hardcover edition.

Convinced that he can outrun any danger, the freshly-baked gingerbread man fails to appreciate that a very fast runner is no match for a very sly fox.

Anansi the Spider uses a strange moss-covered rock in the forest to trick all the other animals, until Little Bush Deer decides he needs to learn a lesson.

The fifth book in the popular Anansi trickster tales series by acclaimed author-and-illustrator team Eric A. Kimmel and Janet Stevens. Anansi is throwing a party. He invites Turtle, but plays so many tricks on him that Turtle can't have any fun. So turtle decides to get even and throws a part of his own. A companion to "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock", "Anansi Goes Fishing", "Anansi and the Talking Melon," and "Anansi and the Magic Stick". 

"The expressive male narrator charms the listener by impersonating the characters...Short segments of music and brief sound effects add interest...useful for all reading and listening situations." - Booklist

Walk among the gods and goddesses, men and monsters, in this enchanting volume of classic Greek myths! Here are twelve of the most beloved legends of Greek mythology, from Pandora and her dreaded box to Icarus with his wings of wax, and, of course, that greedy, gold-fingered King Midas. Vibrant art adds a fresh twist to this collection, giving today's readers their own version of these timeless tales. Eric A. Kimmel brings these adventures to life with language that is colloquial and easy to read. Pep Monserrat breathes beautiful modern colors and style into his paintings, even as he reinvents images from classical antiquity. Together they've created a masterpiece of mythology, perfect for young readers. - Publisher.

An adaptation of a Japanese folktale in which a feudal lord seeks a samurai cat to rid his castle of a savage rat, but soon discovers that violence is not always the best way to accomplish things.

Jess and her friend Matthew find themselves drawn into a computer game in which they must defeat an evil wizard in order to save a friendly centaur, an elf, as well as King Arthur and some of his companions.

Children's author Eric Kimmel talks about his life and how he writes his books.

GROWING UP IN Russia in the late 1800s, Marc Chagall doesn't know what art is. He doesn't even know what drawing is until one of hisschoolmates shows him how to trace a picture in a magazine. Marc tries it himself, then decides to pull pictures out of his own mind - his Uncle Noah on the roof, giant chickens, flying cows, happy men with fiddles, and women with lambs. Suddenly Marc knows what he wants to do with his life. He wants to be an artist!

Presents the steps performed in a traditional Passover Seder, plus stories, songs, poetry, and pictures that celebrate the historical significance of this holiday to Jews all over the world.

Rosalia is in debt to the strange little snake man Rattlestiltskin after he teaches her how to make tortillas so light they float in the air! Can she outsmart the trickster and keep her freedom? From renowned children's book author Eric A. Kimmel comes this delightful reimagining of the classic Rumplestiltskin with a Southwestern setting and Spanish vocabulary.

A sassy tortilla, so light she jumps off the griddle, leads an elaborate game of chase through the desert while taunting a passel of critters—two horned toads, three donkeys, four jackrabbits, five rattlesnakes, and six buckaroos. But has she met her match in Señor Coyote?

Bubba Brayna’s legendary latkes lure an unexpected visitor into her home in this playful Hanukkah tale from a master storyteller. Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, and on the first night of Hanukkah, the scent of her cooking wakes a hungry, adorable bear from his hibernation. He lumbers into town to investigate, and Bubba Brayna—who does not see or hear very well—mistakes him for her rabbi. She welcomes the bear inside to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a scrumptious meal. However, after her well-fed guest leaves, there's a knock at the door—it's the rabbi, and all of Brayna's other friends, arriving for dinner. But there are no latkes left—and together, they finally figure out who really ate them. Lively illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka, portraying the sprightly Bubba Brayna and her very hungry guest, accompany this instant family favorite, a humorous reworking of Eric A. Kimmel’s earlier classic tale, The Chanukkah Guest. A traditional recipe for latkes is included in the back matter, along with interesting, digestible facts about the history and traditions of Hanukkah. A 2013 National Jewish Book Award Winner, this book is perfect for a holiday story time with children— either in the classroom or at home, as an introduction for young readers to the traditions and customs of Hanukkah, and as a classic to return to year after year.

On his way to get an egg for his mother the night before Hanukkah, a young boy encounters a group of mischievous fairies who take him on an adventure to Jerusalem.

When an old lady swindles him out of his magic dreidels, Jacob tries to get them back in time for the family's Hanukkah celebration.

Enjoy a Hanukkah tale full of wonder and miracles from the author of the classic Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Before Simon sails to America, he promises his family that he will get a job and send for them. Simon's mother knows he will need a miracle, so she reminds him to celebrate Hanukkah wherever he may be. Little does either of them know that Simon will spend the first night of Hanukkah on an ice floe after his ship sinks. The lone survivor out in the wide ocean, Simon lights the first candle, and it attracts a visitor: a polar bear. Does she eat him? No! She shares his latkes, enjoys his songs, goes fishing for him, and even keeps him warm at night. By the last day of Hanukkah, Simon has nearly given up hope of ever being rescued. But then he recounts all of the miracles that have befallen him so far. Perhaps it is not too much to hope for one more, he thinks, as he lights all of the candles in the menorah. The bright glow signals a passing ship, and Simon makes it to New York after all. This fanciful Hanukkah tale -- like none you've ever read before -- celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love. From the author of the Caldecott Honor-winning classic Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins comes a gorgeously illustrated fantasy Hanukkah tale full of miracles, from sharing latkes with a polar bear to surviving a Titanic-like sinking. The story behind the ancient holiday is included at the end.

Told through soft, gorgeous color illustrations, Why Worry is a gentle story of two friends swept into the unpredictable wilderness and how, despite feeling anxiety and worries, they find peace and calmness together. Once upon a time there were two good friends, Cricket and Grasshopper. Cricket always worried. Grasshopper never did. Cricket and Grasshopper go on a high-flying, wild adventure and encounter a large crow, a hungry fish, powerful winds, and more. But while Grasshopper is having the time of her life, Cricket can’t help but worry if they’ll be safe, where they’re going, and how they’ll return home. Though the two have differing perspectives, Grasshopper and Cricket find support in each other through acceptance and patience. Originally published in 1979, Why Worry? is a soothing tale that teaches understanding and empathy of people who experience anxiety, and how to support and alleviate those worries.

The King of Spain's fondness for a louse that bit him leads to good fortune for a clever peasant.

Three inspiring stories illuminate the mitzvot of the High Holy Days: Charity, Repentance, and Prayer, in a strikingly illustrated new edition Award-winning folklorist Eric A. Kimmel tells stories to dramatize the meaning of each pillar of the holiday-a couple who share what they have, only to find that their samovar keeps refilling, a shepherd who loves God so much that he makes up his own prayers to Him, and a beggar and a Rabbi who together experience the power of repentance. Sarah Green's striking fresh illustrations set the tone for these stories which help share the most moving days in the Jewish calendar.

Joha finds a magic stick and learns that you don't always get what you wish for

Harry Weiss—later known as Harry Houdini—is enthralled when the circus comes to his Wisconsin town. He loves all the acts, but his favorites are the tightrope and the amazing trick where a man hangs from a rope by his teeth! Harry and his brother decide to try circus tricks in a nearby barn, and although Harry’s headstrong determination leads him into trouble, it also opens up a whole new world. In this evocative story, Eric A. Kimmel tells how Harry Weiss discovered his love for performing, many years before he became world famous. History Stepping Stones now feature updated content that emphasizes Common Core and today’s renewed interest in nonfiction. Perfect for home, school, and library bookshelves!

Two evil spirits wreak havoc on the town of Brisk's Hanukkah celebration, until the town's wise rabbi puts a stop to their mischief.

Although Bubba Brayna is almost blind and deaf, she makes the best potato latkes in the village. On the first night of Chanukkah, she cooks a special batch for the rabbi, who is coming to visit her. When she hears a thumping at the door, she lets in her guest. Only later does she realize she has served a bear her delicious latkes. Full-color illustrations.

"When three Hanukkah latkes fight over which of them tastes the best, the winner is decided by the family cat. Which does he choose?"--

A prosperous but simple and pious Jew of ancient Alexandria comes to the realization of why God has permitted his great wealth to accumulate.

Walk among the gods and goddesses, men and monsters, in this enchanting volume of classic Greek myths! Here are twelve of the most beloved legends of Greek mythology, from Pandora and her dreaded box to Icarus with his wings of wax, and, of course, that greedy, gold-fingered King Midas. Vibrant art adds a fresh twist to this collection, giving today's readers their own version of these timeless tales.

In this playful version of The Little Red Hen, a young girl enlists her bird friends to help make the challah and host a house full of guests for Rosh Hashanah.