Best Selling Books by Eric A. Kimmel

Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel visits the Emperor, leaving a new housemaid to prepare for his Hanukkah party, but returns to find that she has misused the clay man he created. Includes historical and cultural notes.

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.

Tells the story of why snakes have no legs, have a forked tongue and why the shed their skin.

Omar wants a snake more than anything, but his mom is unenthusiastic to say the least. However, the family strikes a compromise: Omar can get a corn snake; but it must stay inside his room, where his mom will not have to set eyes on it. So when Arrow escapes, Omar has to keep it a secret. But with an inquisitive little sister and parents mindful of odd behavior, it''s not easy.

From award-winning author Eric A. Kimmel with gorgeous, brightly patterned illustrations from artist Mara Penny, Hank and Gertie brings a modern twist to the classic Hansel and Gretel folktale combined with the high-adventure landscape of the Oregon Trail. While taking a break from their journey out west, Hank and Gertie lose their way back to their covered wagon and stumble upon the most glorious house made of candy. Little do they know there’s a dangerous witch lurking nearby, and she’s got her eye on the two hungry and vulnerable children.

Kar-Ben Read-Aloud eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and text highlighting to bring eBooks to life! Once upon a time there were three latkes, a red latke, a yellow latke and a gold latke. On the first night of Hanukkah they began talking excitedly. When three Hanukkah latkes fight over which of them tastes the best, the winner is decided by the family cat. Which will he choose? The excited latkes can’t wait to find out, but perhaps they should be careful what they wish for!

How did famous New Orleans jazz trumpet player Louis Armstrong get his first horn? Seven-year-old Louis Armstrong was too poor to buy a real instrument. He didn’t even go to school. To help his mother pay the rent, every day he rode a junk wagon through the streets of New Orleans, playing a 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. . . . With messages about hard work, persistence, hope, tolerance, cooperation, trust, and friendship, A Horn for Louis is perfect for aspiring young musicians and nonfiction fans alike! 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!

AHOY! Come with us aboard the Pequod. We search for Moby Dick, the Great White Whale! Along with Captain Ahab, you''ll meet danger face to face, hunting the fiercest creature the seas have ever known! Are you brave enough— and bold enough— for the adventure of your life? The award-winning author and illustrator team of Eric A. Kimmel and Andrew Glass introduce a new generation of readers to a magnificent and memorable retelling of Herman Melville''s masterpiece, Moby Dick.

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!

While trying to play the games at a seemingly harmless Website, Jess and her friend Matt are sucked into a cyberworld filled with characters from familiar fairy tales, all controlled by the evil Granny Goose.

The way of the Warrior The samurai warriors of ancient Japan were taught to fight with their hearts and minds as well as with their swords. But even the best of training doesn''t prepare a samurai for every situation... A lone samurai is attacked by two Ronin--can he keep his head and come out of it alive? Can a samurai with a reputation for being unlucky to defeat a ferocious dragon and regain his honor? A brave girl fights tradition to learn swordmanship, but can she master the arts of the samurai?

Ten tall tales about a legendary Ukrainian trickster who can outwit anyone—from the team behind the award-winning Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Quick-thinking, funny, and always clever, the Jewish folk hero Hershel—based on an historical figure who lived in Ostropol, Ukraine—is one of folklore''s greatest tricksters. In this classic volume by the creators of the award-winning and much-beloved Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, a Caldecott Honor Book and Sydney Taylor Award Honor Recipient, Hershel down faces a stingy innkeeper, fierce bandits, and more, armed with nothing more than his own quick thinking. Based on tales passed down through oral histories, Yiddish anthologies, and other collections of Jewish folklore, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol offers a glimpse into the shtetl village community of nineteenth-century Ukraine, and is a perfect introduction to a little-known but much-beloved folk hero. A perfect gift for any occasion, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Hanukkah, or graduations, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol will delight all readers who love a clever twist.

A skeptical visitor to the village of Nemirov finds out where its rabbi really goes just before the Jewish New Year, when the villagers claim he goes to heaven to speak to God.

A hot pepper pie exposes the big bad wolf in this southwestern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

This swashbuckling tall tale of seafaring adventure will appeal to sailors and landlubbers alike. Eric A. Kimmel''s original tale of the Pacific Northwest is beautifully illustrated by Michael Steirnagle''s colorful pastels. Full color.

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.

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

A retelling of a Russian fairy tale in which an archer assigned many dangerous quests by the greedy, cruel czar wins a crown and the woman of his dreams.

Rose Zar was 19 years old when the Nazis invaded her native Poland. Her father urged her to save herself by hiding “in the mouth of the wolf”—or within the enemy itself. She managed to obtain false papers, secretly changing her identity and surviving the Holocaust as maid and nanny for a Nazi SS colonel.

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

Jewish folklore comes to life in this magical Hanukkah story! On the first night of Hanukkah, two tricky devils arrive in the town of Brisk to cause mischief. They use a magic word " Zigazak!" to make dreidels dance and latkes fly. The good citizens of Brisk panic and appeal to their wise rabbi for help. He triumphs over the devils in a contest of wits, and soon sends them packing. But his real triumph is the ability to see the good in all things, even devils'' tricks, helping the townsfolk enjoy their most magical Hanukkah ever. "The most imaginative Hannukah tale of the season." -- Publishers Weekly An Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Young Readers

As Stormy, a railroad engineer, searches for the perfect hat--one that will not blow off, get too hot, or shade his eyes too much--his wife, Ida, becomes increasingly annoyed that he will not let her help. Includes a historical note about the real Stormyand Ida Kromer.

Rip Van Winkle is an idler who would rather starve for a penny than work for a pound, and his wife is constantly nagging him. In search of peace, Rip heads off to the woods one day with his faithful dog, Wolf. High up in the Catskill Mountains, Rip meets an unusual group of little men. He drinks their strong beverage and falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, he finds that twenty years have passed – the world has changed and so has he. With vibrant paintings by Leonard Everett Fisher, Eric A. Kimmel’s adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic “Rip Van Winkle” introduces a Rip who reforms as a result of his experience. Rip Van Winkle''s Return is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

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 RUMPELSTILTSKIN with a Southwestern setting and Spanish vocabulary.

The foolish people of Chelm are tricked by a peddler into buying and decorating a Chanukkah tree on Christmas Eve, but after becoming disillusioned they rediscover its worth and beauty.

A self-proclaimed knight Señor Quexada has read so many books about knights in shining armor that he thinks he is one. He gives himself a name more fitting for a knight -- Don Quixote -- and sets off one evening with his squire. At dawn they come across what Don Quixote recognizes as an army of monstrous giants. "Master!" cries Sancho Panza. "They are only windmills!" But Don Quixote knows what he has to do . . . Don Quixote is the creation of the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Eric A. Kimmel skillfully and cleverly crystallizes the character, and with his powerful line and vibrant color Leonard Everett Fisher completes the funny, loving portrait.

With the aid of a perfect peach, a silver fife, and his own resources, Petit Jean outwits a dishonest king and wins the hand of a princess.

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

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

In this version of the Gingerbread Man, a little tortilla jumps off the griddle and runs into the Texas desert.

An unforgettable story -- for the Jewish New Year, or any time of year -- about facing our own monsters and beginning anew. Gershon sometimes made mistakes. But unlike most people, he never regretted them or asked anyone¿s forgiveness. Why should he? He merely swept them up and tossed them into the cellar. Then, every year on Rosh Hashanah, he would put them into a sack and cast them out to sea. Little did he know that his thoughtless behavior would come back to haunt him. Was there a still a chance for him to change? Kimmel¿s skillfully crafted text and Muth¿s sensitive, expressive watercolors capture all the drama and wonder of this traditional Hasidic legend. An Assoc. of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Winner. Reinforced binding.

A traditional Russian tale about a sturdy, charming hero, an intriguing frog/sea-monster goblin who''s more debonair than appalling, and an oddly vulnerable-looking witch.

A clever rooster retrieves his diamond button from a thieving sultan.

A Ukrainian boy in 1623 joins the Cossacks with the hope of freeing his people from Polish rule.

In this tale, retold by Eric Kimmel & colorfully illustrated by Katya Arnold, there lived a merchant who had 3 sons. Like their father, the 2 oldest were good merchants. They bartered by land & by sea. The youngest, Getzel, was too kind-hearted to make a good tradesman. Much to his sorrow, his father kept him at home. One day Getzel asked his father to give him some goods of little value. He hoped to trade them for a profit. If he was unsuccessful, his father would lose hardly anything. His father agreed & gave him a sack of onions. Getzel sailed away with his onions, but as he traveled from port to port, nobody wanted to buy them. Then one day, Getzel became shipwrecked & his fortune changed forever. Reinforced binding.

Examples of Eric Kimmel''s work illustrate some of the steps an author goes through before publication, including draft revision and working with editors.

Collects twelve read-aloud stories offering a range of themes from whimsical and fun to inspirational and mystical.