Best Selling Books by Martha Seif Simpson

A good king is looking for the right words to help his people, rich or poor, deal with life’s challenges. Ezra, a humble servant boy, wants to help the king solve his problem. Finally, through a series of mishaps, Ezra hands the king a strange gift—and the perfect words. Many cultures around the world have told versions of this story for centuries. President Abraham Lincoln even included one in a speech. This lively version is adapted from a Jewish source, and it is the great king Solomon who is searching for those precious words to help his people. Author Simpson and illustrator Bernhard once again invite children into the mystery and excitement of another faraway world.

“This dreidel doesn’t work!” the father had cried. “What do you mean? How can a dreidel not work?” the shopkeeper asked. It was certainly the most beautiful spinning top the shopkeeper had ever seen, with magical golden letters on its sides. But it just would not spin for two spoiled children who insisted on owning it! Later, the shopkeeper decides to try it one last time: would it spin for another child, one who carried the true spirit of Hanukkah in his heart? In this beautiful holiday story by award-winning author Martha Simpson, and brought to life by the imaginative illustrations of award-winning illustrator D. Yael Bernhard, the happiness and joy of the Hanukkah miracle will warm the heart of young and old alike with its simple message: wonders still occur for those who are ready for them. Included is a useful appendix that explains Hanukkah, and an explanation on how to play the dreidel game.

With so much competing for the time of today''s students, youth services librarians have an especially challenging job. How can they reach their target audience? One of the surest ways is the promotion--through the local school system--of a series of class visits to the public library. But where to begin? Choosing a grade level, contacting school officials and teachers, and planning age-appropriate programs are among the many steps that librarians must take--but may feel unprepared for. Encouraging the collaboration of professionals in public libraries and local schools, this comprehensive guide presents a detailed framework for a versatile program of class visits. Written by two public librarians with firsthand experience, it describes, in a step-by-step format, how to accomplish a structured series of class visits. The book addresses procedures, planning and implementation, and offers suggestions for both elementary and secondary school visits. Informational packets and other print materials are provided for each level. Possible challenges are discussed, with thoughts on their impact on the overall program and ways to find workable solutions. The appendices contains easily adaptable templates including sample schedules, letters to teachers and evaluation forms.

School and public libraries often provide programs and activities for children in preschool through the sixth grade, but there is little available to young adults. For them, libraries become a place for work--the place to research an assignment or find a book for a report--but the thought of the library as a place for enjoyment is lost. So how do librarians recapture the interest of teenagers? This just might be the answer. Here you will find theme-based units (such as Cartoon Cavalcade, Log On at the Library, Go in Style, Cruising the Mall, Space Shots, Teens on TV, and 44 others) that are designed for young adults. Each includes a display idea, suggestions for local sponsorship of prizes, a program game to encourage participation, 10 theme-related activities, curriculum tie-in activities, sample questions for use in trivia games or scavenger hunts, ideas for activity sheets, a bibliography of related works, and a list of theme-related films. The units are highly flexible, allowing any public or school library to adapt them to their particular needs.

While storytelling is a great favorite of preschoolers, many elementary age children are more drawn to crafts and other activities. StoryCraft is an award-winning library program that combines storytelling with crafts in an exciting and engaging activity for children in first through third grades. Each one-hour program includes storytelling, a craft, movement, activities, music, and discussion. This collection of StoryCraft programs presents 50 fun and educational theme-based sessions. Each includes suggestions for promotion, music, crafts, activities, and stories. The sessions also include bibliographies to help direct young readers toward additional reading, as well as diagrams, detailed instructions, and supply lists for the crafts. The themes range from a Jungle Safari to Math Mayhem to a Western Roundup, all encouraging children to enjoy reading in a variety of ways. Each session has plenty of suggestions, so that the program can be customized. Helpful Hints for implementing the program can help any librarian, volunteer, or parent turn a ho-hum storytime into a dazzling StoryCraft time.

Young Esther has earned a special gragger (whirling noisemaker) by delivering charitable gifts on Purim, a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther. Now she is ready to carry her gragger in the festive Purim parade! Like the legendary Queen, Esther displays courage and wit when an older bully tries to steal her gragger. The lively cast of characters quibble and carouse in a bygone world of warmth, surprise, and generosity. There is even a parade for children only. The appendix helps readers understand the history of Purim, how it is celebrated today, what a “gragger” is, and how to make a simple noisemaker. Following the award-winning The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin, author Martha Seif Simpson and illustrator D. Yael Bernhard have again created a new toyshop tale of playful language and images that hint at ancient roots and hidden meanings, which are just waiting for young readers to find. This is a tale ideal for reading aloud for fun, but also for learning.

A little boy offers advice on what NOT to give your mom on Mother''s Day, unless she''s an animal. For example, don''t give her a rotting log unless she''s a salamander, or a bunch of flies unless she''s a spider! What would Mom like best?

The 20 environmental units here are divided into three broad categories (Our Planet''s Resources, Our Planet''s Natural Habitats, and Preserving Our Planet), and include such subjects as the atmosphere, water, energy, seas and oceans, rain forests, grasslands, urban environments, and waste and recycling. Each unit gives specific activities in library skills, arts and crafts, spelling and vocabulary, geography, math, music and theater arts, English composition, science, history and sociology, and other topics for discussion for grades two through eight. Suggested resources, additional reading lists and a list of addresses to write to for further information conclude each environmental unit.

Provides ideas for 50 summer reading clubs, and includes suggestions for advertising the clubs, promotional items, activities, and related films and videos.

As he helps Nosh cook, Potchky continues to voice his dislike of smelly onions, brown potatoes, and a mixture of matza meal, eggs, and salt, but an unperturbed Nosh gently guides Potchky to give new foods a try.