The Genizah

Miriam is the youngest, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know things. She’s not as gullible as her parents or older siblings think, and she is too old for ridiculous stories that make no sense. So, using her superior detective skills, she sets out to find the truth about all of the fantastical things that people tell gullible kids. It’s finally summer vacation, and that means one thing: Miriam and her family are headed to Mermaid Lake! Legend has it the lake was named after the mermaid who swims beneath its waters, but as an experienced magical mystery detective, Miriam is determined to find out the truth. She has the perfect trap in mind . . . if she can get up the courage to climb the big waterslide. This could be her most challenging case yet, but Miriam’s determined to find the mermaid—if she even exists.

Lizzie’s never experienced shiva before. When she and her mom arrive at Joshua’s house, Lizzie is determined to cheer up her friend who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. But Joshua isn’t in the mood for their usual puzzles or magic tricks. He misses his favorite baking partner. As Lizzie participates in the Jewish customs of shiva, she begins to learn a new meaning of friendship. Maybe all Joshua needs right now is someone to listen. Something Sweet balances themes of processing grief, experiencing another culture, and learning how to be a good friend—and does so with tender care.

This Passover, Jordanita's family is leaving their Miami apartment and flying to Argentina to spend the holiday with cousins. Their cousins' house is the best, since it not only has a giant yard-they also two dogs, a cat, two turtles, and two parrots called Tic and Toc! But when Jordanita hears the Passover story this year, she can't help but notice that Tic and Toc are in a cage. If the point of Passover is to celebrate freedom, shouldn't that apply to all creatures? Celebrated Jewish Argentine author Ana María Shua explores the nature of freedom and the love of family in this warm-hearted tale, perfectly paired with the gentle humor of Spanish illustrator Angeles Ruiz's lively illustrations

The Aliens Haggadah, with stunning illustrations of aliens participating in a Passover Seder, combines a traditional and complete Passover Haggadah text with selected English translation and transliteration. This " two books in one" volume includes a fantasy tale from a far corner of the galaxy about how aliens, facing environmental collapse, have to leave their home in an interplanetary migration. They find their way to a new planet, where they are at first welcomed, but later enslaved. This alien story mirrors that of the Israelites in Egypt, weaving fact, fantasy and tradition into a rollicking tale which will amuse, entertain, raise questions and excite curiosity among children of all ages and their families.The Aliens Haggadah includes notes for parents and teachers, featuring midrashic texts and history mixed with a collection of " documents from a crashed alien spacecraft." The Aliens Haggadah gives a 21st century perspective on the Jewish people' s foundational experience, and encourages readers to consider their attitude to Others (the " aliens" among us) and to our natural environment.

From lighting a candle and reciting Kiddush, to singing dayenu, this beautiful portrait of Jewish heritage is filled with joy. With bright illustrations and simple, yet informative, text there's no better way to introduce little ones to this special holiday.