New Releases by Eric A. Kimmel

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.

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

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.

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.

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

When Jack''s mother tells him how his father died when a giant stole his barbecue recipes, Jack vows to find the giant and retrieve the book. Includes an author''s note about Texas barbecue.

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.

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!

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

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!

¿We were forty miles from Albany. Forget it I never shall. When we first set sail to carry the mail On the E-ri-e Canal, On the E-ri-e Canal.¿ What should be a routine trip turns into a swashbuckling adventure as Captain Flynn, his loyal crew, and Old Frank the mule are set upon by pirates led by Bill McGrew, the Terror of Buffalo. But all is not lost. Although the pirates are fierce, Captain Flynn refuses to surrender. The battle begins and all hands join the fray -- even Old Frank, who takes on a one-eyed pirate mule. Will Captain Flynn be able to withstand the relentless onslaught of McGrew¿s crew? Or will the Jolly Roger sail over the Erie Canal? Full-color illustrations. Reinforced binding.

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.

In this variation of "The Three Little Pigs" set in the Southwest, three little tamales escape from a restaurant before they can be eaten, and set up homes in the prairie, cornfield, and desert.

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.

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.

A retelling of some classic Greek myths for younger readers.

A clever little girl outwits seven rattlesnakes

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

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.

Once upon a time three cabritos (little goats) decide to go to a Mexican fiesta. But their mother is worried. She warns them about Chupacabra, the goat-sucker who lives beneath the bridge. And sure enough, as the goats cross the bridge, he jumps out "Say your prayers. I''m going to eat you," he tells the goats. But they are clever. And they know how to play music--music that finally gets rid of that old goat-sucker forever Pleasant illustrations rendered in pencil and digital techniques by Stephen Gilpin add to the story of the legendary creature, Chupacabra. An author''s note, glossary, and pronunciation guide are included.

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.

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.

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

In this delightfully illustrated children''s book, Eric Kimmel retells a story from the Spanish tradition. There once were two young lovers, Bernal & Florinda, who wanted to be married. Bernal was charming but poor -- all he owned was a field swarming with grasshoppers. Florinda''s father, the wealthy Don Garcilaso, ordered Bernal to stay away from his daughter. I would rather see Florinda marry the son of a wandering tinker,Ó he said. He could at least support her by mending pots & pans.Ó Bernal was determined to make his fortune & win Florinda''s hand in marriage. With just a sackful of grasshoppers & his own cleverness, Bernal found a way to trick Don Garcilaso in this original picaresque tale.

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.

During the Mexican Revolution, when a troop of hungry soldiers comes to a town where all the food has been hidden, they charm the townspeople into helping make a soup from water and a cactus thorn.

Explanation of the Biblical roots of the caduceus, the coiled serpent symbol seen on doctors'' office walls.