May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans in the United States. Jewish communities have helped shape American life for generations through storytelling, tradition and community building. This month offers an opportunity to honor that legacy and share stories that reflect Jewish identity, values, and experiences.

In celebration, we are excited to share a curated booklist that uplifts Jewish and Jewish American stories through themes of family, tradition, resilience, and kindness. These books highlight everyday moments like baking challah with grandma, celebrating holidays, showing kindness, and helping friends and family. These experiences resonate with all children and help introduce or deepen connections to Jewish culture.

For families and educators, these stories can serve different but equally important roles:

• If a book is a mirror, reflecting a child’s Jewish-American  identity, use it to affirm their experiences. Talk with  children about how the story connects to their own life, and invite them to share their  experiences and memories. 
• If a book is a window, helping children learn about Jewish or Jewish-American culture and practices , use it to spark curiosity and foster understanding. Encourage questions, explore new vocabulary, and highlight the universal feelings of love, belonging, courage and resilience that connect us all.

Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset

Written & Illustrated by Suzy Ultman

 This colorful board book introduces little ones to Shabbat, celebrating rest and togetherness in a warm, playful way.

Age level: 0 – 3 years

Talking Tip: As you share the book, point to the pictures together and name what you see. Talk about the days of the week and ask:

• What do you like to do on (day of the week)?
• What do you like to do when you are with friends and family?
• How do you relax your body?

Thank You Trees!

Written by Gail Langer Karwoski and Marilyn E. Gootman
Illustrated by Kristen Balouch

Thank You, Trees! is a colorful, rhyming celebration of Tu B’Shevat (Jewish Arbor Day), giving thanks for all the gifts trees provide, from fruits and shade to homes for animals. This story invites children to appreciate nature and discover ways to care for trees.

Age level: 0-3 years

Talking Tip: To encourage appreciation for nature and caring for the environment, ask your child:

• What’s your favorite thing about trees?
• Why are you thankful for trees?
• What can we do to help take care of trees?

Kol Hakavod: Way to Go!

Written by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh
Illustrated by Sarah-Jayne Mercer

A rhyming picture book that introduces children to the Hebrew phrase Kol Hakavod, meaning “well done” or “all respect.” Through everyday examples like sharing, helping, and caring, children learn that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Age level: 3 -7 years

Talking Tip: This helps connect the story to real-life experiences and encourages kindness. Ask your child “What’s one kind thing you did today?”

You can also point to an example from the book and say, “Have you ever helped like that?” and “How do you feel when you help someone?” 

Challah for Shabbat Tonight

Written by Sara Holly Ackerman
Illustrated by Alona Millgram

A little girl and her grandma spend the afternoon baking challah together to get ready for Shabbat. As they mix, knead, and braid the dough, they share love, laughter, and special moments. This sweet story celebrates family traditions, intergenerational bonds, and the joy of making something delicious together. The backmatter includes a recipe for challah so you can bake along.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: After sharing Challah for Shabbat Tonight, ask your child questions like:

• What part of making challah looked the most fun?
• Have you ever helped cook or bake something?
• What’s a special food we make in our family?

Talking about family foods and traditions builds curiosity, connection, and understanding, whether or not you celebrate Shabbat.

Joyful Song: A Naming Story

Written by Lesléa Newman
Illustrated by Susan Gal

Zachary can’t wait to share his baby sister’s name at her special naming ceremony at the temple. As he and his moms walk through their neighborhood, friends and neighbors join their joyful walk, eager to find out the name too. A lovely story that celebrates family, community, tradition, and the excitement of welcoming a new baby.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: Take time to tell your child the story of how they were named and what their name means, helping them feel proud and connected to their family’s traditions. Ask your child:

• How do we celebrate new babies in our family?
• Who are the people in our community who help us celebrate special days?
• Do you know how you got your name?” 

One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story

Written by Ruth Spiro
Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov

Inspired by a broken swing at her neighborhood park, a young girl feels a small spark inside her that inspires her to act. As she shares her ideas, others join in to help make things better. This is a story about kindness, community, and tikkun olam, the Jewish value of helping repair the world. It reminds us that small acts and working together can lead to big change.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: To encourage kindness, teamwork, and thinking about helping others, ask your child:

• What small thing could we do together to help someone or take care of our world?
• What is something you’ve helped fix or make better already?
• How do you feel when you help someone?

The Ninth Night of Hanukkah

Written by Erica S. Perl
Illustrated by Shahar Kober

Ultimately a story about community, kindness, and sharing, this story is also a delightful celebration of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah. When Max and Rachel can’t find their family’s menorah box, it is the help of their neighbors that saves the holiday.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: In the story, Max and Rachel discover a way to say ‘Thank you’ to the neighbors that helped them. How have your neighbors and friends helped your family? What are some ways you might be able to thank them? 

Two New Years

Written by Richard Ho
Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

Inspired by the author’s own multicultural family, Two New Years shows how a family celebrates both Rosh Hashanah in the fall and Lunar New Year in the spring. The story highlights that while the traditions and cultures are different, they also share values of family, unity, abundance, joy, and hope. This book invites readers of all backgrounds to explore and appreciate the rich blend of traditions that make celebrations meaningful.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: After reading Two New Years, ask your child:

• What are some special days we celebrate in our family?
• What do we do to celebrate?
• How are our celebrations the same or different from the ones in the book?

Afikoman, Where’d You Go?: A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure

Written by Rebecca Gardyn Shapiro
Illustrated by Noa Kelner

When the playful afikoman runs and hides during the seder, the whole family, even the dog, joins the hunt. With rhyming text and colorful busy search-and-find scenes, you too can help track down the afikoman in this fun, interactive Passover story.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: As you share the book, turn the story into a game by giving your child additional clues to help them find the afikoman on each page. Try saying, “I see the afikoman hiding next to something that starts with the ‘b-b-b’ sound” or “Can you find the afikoman hiding next to something blue?”

This playful search builds observation skills, language, and excitement as you look at the pages together.

The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street

Written by Ann Redisch Stampler
Illustrated by Francesca Carabelli

A sweet story about Mrs. Spiegel, who loves her cats, and her neighbor Mr. Modiano, who says he doesn’t, but shows he cares in his own way. When one of the cats goes missing, Mr. Modiano surprises everyone by helping to find it. This lovely story shows how kindness can bring people together, even when they seem very different.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: After sharing The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street, ask your child:

• How did Mr. Modiano show he cared?
• How can you show someone you care without using words?
• How can you be a kind friend or neighbor?

These questions help children think about ways they can show kindness and care.

Sharing Shalom

Written by Danielle Sharkan
Illustrated by Selina Alko

Leila loves going to Hebrew school and learning about her Jewish heritage. When her synagogue is vandalized, she feels hurt and unsure, until her friends and neighbors come together to help. Through their support, Leila learns that our differences make us stronger, and that community and kindness can bring healing and hope.

Age level: 4-8 years

Talking Tip: After reading Sharing Shalom, ask your child:

• How do you think Leila felt when the synagogue was damaged?
• What helped her feel better?
• Have you ever felt sad or different? What helped you feel happy again?

These questions help children talk about their feelings and learn how helping others can make a big difference.

Here is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays

Written by Lesléa Newman
Illustrated by Susan Gal

Join a family as they celebrate Jewish holidays across the seasons, from Shabbat to Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim, and more. With lyrical rhyme and vibrant illustrations, Here Is the World invites readers to explore the joyful traditions, foods, and rituals that make each holiday meaningful. Includes informational pages about Jewish customs and holidays, plus recipes and crafts to try at home.

Age level: 5-7 years

Talking Tip: Ask your child:

• What are the special days we celebrate with our family and friends?
• How are they similar or different from the holidays in the book?