New Releases by Jane Breskin Zalben

Chanukah and Christmas come together in this story of an interfaith, intergenerational family''s blended holiday. Gelt and gingerbread, menorahs and trees, red and green and blue and white . . . When Christmas and the first night of Chanukah occur on the same day, Sophie and Max are confused. The children are used to the two parts of their identity remaining separate, celebrating with each part of their family in turn. But this year is different: all their grandparents are coming to partake in both Jewish and Christian traditions together. Complete with a sweet acknowledgment of the concern at the forefront of each child’s mind—how will this affect the presents?—Gingerbread Dreidels is a story for interfaith families that shows how love is at the center of every holiday.

A timely topic celebrating the joys of a diverse neighborhood

An interfaith friendship develops when Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, overlaps with the Muslim holiday of Ramadan--an occurence that happens only once every thirty years or so. Moses Feldman, a Jewish boy, lives at one end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, while Mohammed Hassan, a Muslim boy, lives at the other. One day they meet at Sahadi''s market while out shopping with their mothers and are mistaken for brothers. A friendship is born, and the boys bring their families together to share rugelach and date cookies in the park as they make a wish for peace.

When the Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe runs out of room for her big family, she turns to her trusted real estate agent. Mama Goose has the perfect house: Snow White''s cottage, complete with seven small beds. Snow White and the dwarfs take over Rapunzel''s castle; Rapunzel moves in with Rumpelstiltskin, and so on, until all of the residents of Fairy Tale Land are bumped into a different dwelling.

In the beginning there was emptiness, like a blank canvas. Then, in a swirl of motion, the Creator made the world. The Creator wanted to finish everything with a special kind of light—a light so powerful it had to be stored away from sight. When the Creator tried to open the jar of light, it shattered, and sparks of light flew everywhere. Jane Breskin Zalben brings to life this timeless legend about why people were created: to find the light and repair the world.

When Pearl arrives home from school one day, her mother is waiting to tell her that Grandpa has died. Pearl discovers a way to keep her grandfather''s memory alive --- by bringing life to marigolds, as he did every year. This book is built around the ritual of sitting shiva.

A charming introduction to the Jewish tree-planting holiday of Tu B''Sh''Vat is accompanied by information on tree-planting holidays around the world, instructions for growing a tree, and the story of young Pearl as she and her grandfather nurture and plant her tree.

Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured.

Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren''t just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not. Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn''t have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she''s never known any other way. Her parents—a professional violinist and a singer—would kill her if they knew she was thinking about quitting piano, especially her mother. So she keeps on going, but as the months go by, she begins to ask herself, does she even love the piano? Why does she play? And how much longer can she stand the pressure before she breaks?

IT''S RAINING CATS AND DOGS! PIGLETS AND BABY BEARS, TOO! Just the right weather for a girl who wants a pet and just the right book to celebrate a new arrival. Zoe wants a pet more than anything in the whole world. Then on the night before her aunt Ellie’s baby shower, it actually starts raining cats and dogs . . . and ducklings and piglets, too. Or does it? This charming book by a favorite author and illustrator is the perfect gift to celebrate a new arrival—human or otherwise.

Daniel says: life caused me to grow up fast. Real fast. Like overnight. Krista says: The real me—the one who knew I should treat Daniel the way I''d want to be treated—was angry at the other me. I just didn''t want to lose Bobby by taking sides with Daniel.Daniel and Krista used to be inseparable. Now that they''re older, they''ve drifted apart—but when an accident leaves Daniel temporarily paralyzed, he needs his old friend more than ever. And Krista wants to help him. Only it''s not as easy as it seems, not when Krista''s feelings for another boy, Bobby, keep getting in the way. And it doesn''t help that Daniel and Bobby were both star swimmers—before Daniel''s accident, that is. Growing up is hard on everyone, but it''s up to Krista to prove how strong friendship can be.

When Brenda''s favorite uncle decides to marry, Brenda sees visions of a gold lamé flower-girl''s outfit, until Uncle Harry and his bride-to-be show up with her niece. Includes cake, frosting, and punch recipes.

Unhappy when her baby sister turns out to be a brother, Beryl schemes with her brother Sam to make the newborn disappear, but Uncle Morty helps by telling stories of the love his big sisters had for him, even when he squirted one with pickle juice and ruined another''s doll.

Stanley does not look forward to spending another Chanukah with all his relatives, but when an old man comes out of a tarnished menorah in the attic and grants Stanley three wishes, he changes his mind.

A collection of episodes in the lives of Beni and his family shows them observing their Jewish traditions as they celebrate the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover.

Presents recipes arranged around twelve Jewish holy days, with background information and anecdotes from the author''s Beni stories.

"A warm story of two girls as they grow up and begin to find their place in the world." Publishers Weekly

Her music and a special friend help Beth, who now lives with her remarried father, through the difficult period following her mother''s suicide.