New Releases by Eric A. Kimmel

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?

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.

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

"During the time period of the Hanukkah story, two boys, one Jewish and one Greek, form a lasting friendship"--

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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

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.

"....Jerry Terheyden's narration alternates between the slow pace of a turtle and the bounce of an exuberant spider.... Balloons filing with air and underwater bubbles are among the fitting sound effects." -AudioFile Magazine

How does Big Sam make a GIANT-sized challah for Rosh Hashanah? He digs an enormous hole in the ground to use as a mixing bowl. (It''s still there today - we call it the Grand Canyon.) He adds mountains of flour, thousands of eggs, and other good things. He whittles a massive California redwood tree into a mixing spoon. He flattens the hills of West Texas as he kneads the dough. And he bakes it inside Mount Saint Helens. But when it''s time to celebrate the holiday, the eagles call out, "Not so fast, Big Sam " Rosh Hashanah is about fixing the world, and Big Sam has some MAJOR cleaning up to do.

When he is threatened by a hungry ghost, Song Dingbo pretends to be a ghost himself.

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...

Grandma Mina''s Persian carpet sends twins Scarlett and Sam to Egypt in the time of Moses, where they come to understand that every Jew was part of the first Passover, and just what made it different from all other nights.

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

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.

Cuando un grupo de soldados a caballo llegan al pueblo de San Miguel, los pobladores no se alegran al verlos. Los habitantes del pueblo esconden los alimentos, se untan la cara con barro y se visten con ropa rasgada, asi parecen pobres. Pero los soldados no se dejan enganar. Cuando quieren una buena comida, saben como conseguirla!

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

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.

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

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

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

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 retelling of some classic Greek myths for younger readers.

A retelling of the Grimm tale about the fisherman's greedy wife, set in the land of the Aztecs.

When Pecos Bill's daughter gets two pet hamsters, they soon multiply into the hundreds, so Bill decides to take them all to Chicago where lots of boys and girls want pet hamsters.

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!

Cabin boy Jeremy Hobbs knows the horror stories about Blackbeard the pirate. In 1718, the man is notorious for plundering ships and has recently blockaded the port of Charleston. But Jeremy has heard Blackbeard is loved as well. One day Jeremy accompanies Lieutenant Maynard on a visit to Virginia’s governor, who is looking for a bold officer to wipe out the pirate. Now, as Lieutenant Maynard’s sloop approaches Blackbeard’s ship, Jeremy’s mouth feels dry and his stomach tightens. He has never been in a sea battle before. He hopes he will act bravely – and that he is doing the right thing. With bold acrylic paintings, this tale is a thrilling adventure in which the roles of hero and villain become increasingly blurred. Blackbeard''s Last Fight is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.