Best Selling Books by Eric A. Kimmel

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.

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.

Caldecott Honor Book, 1990.

The work of Creation is finished. Now is the time for the trees to select a ruler. The oak brings strength. The pine brings presence. The maple brings magnificent color. The fig and date trees provide food. What can the poor olive tree offer? She is not strong or tall or colorful. Olives, though tasty, are not as sweet and filling as dates and figs. Yet the olive tree can offer something that none of the others can. What is it? And will it be enough to qualify her to rule the trees?

Retells the story of Joseph, who is rewarded for honoring the Sabbath by being generous to others even after he, himself, becomes poor.

Boxed Poster and Book Gift Set The perfect Hanukkah gift for the whole family! This beloved Caldecott Honor classic will delight readers each night of the holiday. "A masterpiece."—Jason Chin, Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrator of Watercress For more than thirty years, this clever story of a folk hero outwitting dreadful goblins has been a staple of family Hanukkah celebrations. Celebrate the holiday and family tradition this season by sharing this elegant gift edition of the treasured classic with beautiful foil detailing and slipcase. Unfold a poster showcasing the evocative artwork, and read the insightful afterword from the 25th Anniversary Edition explaining the book''s origins and remembering Trina Schart Hyman. Adapted from a Ukrainian folktale, with an imaginative twist from master storyteller Eric Kimmel and featuring the timeless illustrations of Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a true classic of children''s literature. A haunting tale with a warm heart, Hershel of Ostropol arrives at a village on the first night of Hanukkah but finds the villagers too afraid to light a single candle! Goblins with spindly claws and twisted faces are haunting the synagogue. Hershel vows to break the curse. The clever trickster faces down one goblin after the next, night after night, until he meets the terrifying King of Goblins. It will take all of Hershel’s wits to trick the King of Goblins to light the Menorah himself. This classic picture book is a perfect Hanukkah gift and a wonderful read-aloud. Caldecott Honor Book ALA Notable Children’s Book NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts A Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book Colorado Children’s Book Award Washington Children''s Choice Picture Book Award

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.

"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

Through an adventure, Medio Pollito discovers that even though he is a half chick, he has a whole heart.

A close encounter with Grandma Mina''s time-traveling carpet sends Scarlett and Sam to ancient Jerusalem, where some very important people need their help. The twins meet the prophet Nathan, the warrior Benayahu ben Yehoiada, and even King Solomon himself, the wisest ruler of all time. But Solomon has a big problem that even his wisdom can''t solve. God wants him to build the Temple, but it can''t be done without the mythical insect called the shamir. It''s up to the twins to find the shamir—even if that means facing off against the king of the demons.

When her newly bought pig won''t go over the stile, an old woman tries to enlist the aid of some reluctant helpers so that she can get home that night.

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

Set in biblical times, the story of Nicanor''s Gate—one of the entrances to the Temple in Jerusalem—shows how a man''s faith is important to living a happy, fulfilled life. Nicanor, a wealthy merchant from Alexandria, is thrilled when King Herod calls on him to assist in rebuilding the ruined Temple in Jerusalem. Nicanor orders massive, beautifully intricate doors to be built, especially for the Eastern Gate of the Temple, but disaster strikes while the gates are being shipped from Alexandria to Jerusalem. To escape sinking, the ship must reduce its load, and one of the doors is pushed into the sea. But a miracle happens: the heavy door surfaces, is recovered from the sea, and installed as an entrance to the Temple area.

Anansi the Spider''s plan to trick his friend Turtle into doing all the work while he teaches Anansi to catch fish somehow gets turned around. While Anansi doesn''t learn his lesson, he does learn the invaluable skill of weaving.

One minute, twins Scarlett and Sam are bickering about who''s going to read the Four Questions at the Passover seder. The next minute, they''ve been swept up by Grandma Mina''s time-traveling carpet and dumped in the ancient Egyptian desert! And as if being stranded 3,000 years in the past isn''t bad enough, they also find their fellow Hebrews suffering in slavery. So they team up with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help free the slaves. The future''s looking bright! But the story they know so well doesn’t turn out the way they expected...

A young girl brings her pets to the library--with predictably disastrous results.

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.

Relates how Hershel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah.