Everyone at PJ Library wishes you and your family a wonderfully sweet, healthy, and happy New Year full of blessings and peace. Shanah tovah!

My 11 yo is newly obsessed with the Soviet Union after reading a book about it (Genius Under the Table - thanks @pjlibrary.org!) With regards to the current state of affairs in the US his take was “This is awesome! It’s like we’re living behind the iron curtain!”

The Rosh Hashanah seder explained! #Sephardic @pjlibrary.org @lernerbooks.bsky.social

This month, PJ Our Way readers can select a new middle-grade novel from PJ Publishing: Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz by Diana Harmon Asher. This book is perfect for fans of realistic fiction, praying mantises, and the power of friendship to get you through hard times. pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Looking to supplement your reader's PJ Our Way selections with more great books? We love these recommendations (which include several PJ Our Way authors).

"I think we have incredible opportunities ahead of us to think with open hearts and minds about the kind of Jewish kidlit we want to be drawing into the world." -Katherine Locke @katherinelocke.bsky.social medium.com/@Bibliogato/...

There are many wonderful books about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, but not as many about Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year, we sent a book exemplifying the spirit of making amends. I'm Sorry You Got Mad Written by Kyle Lukoff Illustrated by Julie Kwon Publisher: Penguin Random House

Since ancient times, the holiday of Tu B’Av, which coincides with Shabbat this year and starts tonight, has been considered a minor one on the Jewish calendar. But it celebrates something pretty major: love!

It's here! The Season 5 premiere of Beyond the Bookcase is available for free on your favorite audio app (including the Yoto player app). Find out what PJ, Elijah, the kids, and all the Mashal residents have been up to, plus get to the bottom of a very important question: do chickens have tonsils?!

Making a big move this summer? With PJ Library in so many places around the world, there's a good chance we'll be there with you! Did you know PJ Library books are available in 7 languages across 40+ countries? Get to know our global programs at: pjlibrary.org/global

The holiday of Tisha B'Av (a fast day that starts tomorrow night) commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Did you know the ancient Temple is often referred to as Solomon's Temple because it was built by King Solomon?

Do your kids love to doodle or color while they listen to podcasts? Here's a fun twist -- a podcast coloring page! Be sure to share your colorful creations with us.

Is there a PJ Library book with a character who has the same name as someone in your family? Benny, meet Benny! "My Benny loves bagels! He was soo excited to read the title of our new book today." --Ashley, PJ Library parent

✨NEW!✨Join author Richard Michelson as he shares the story behind NEXT YEAR IN THE WHITE HOUSE, the tale of how a small Seder dinner on the campaign trail inspired Barack Obama to host the 1st Presidential Passover celebration in the White House — from 7AM ET: www.kidlit.tv/StoryMakersW... #kidlit

What do you take with you on summer picnics? When the weather is warm, a Shabbat picnic with friends is the perfect way to usher in the holiday while appreciating the beauty around you.

A little Throwback Thursday: "I just wanted to share! This is my 8-month-old son Christopher with his favorite book! We read it twice a day, every day, before naps! As soon as I pull the book out, his face lights up and he lets out a cheerful little yell!" -Michelle, PJ Library parent

If you’re a PJ Library parent, chances are you’ve had a conversation with your kids at some point about why your family doesn’t do things exactly the same way other families do. You may have compared how you celebrate holidays or how you keep or don't keep kosher.

Shabbat shalom! How are you making this time special? Art from: Uno, Dos, Tres Written by Sarah Aroeste Illustrated by Nathalie Belhassen Publisher: PJ Publishing

Did you know that the Jewish calendar is mostly lunar-based? The beginning of each Jewish month falls on the new moon, when the sky is dark and just a sliver of moon can be seen.

How do you bring the Torah on a space mission? Find out in this new-to-PJ-Library read, Space Torah, coming your way next month! It's the true story of astronaut Jeff Hoffman and the Torah he took to space.

Wishing you a Shabbat shalom, a Shabbat of peace.

How much is enough? And how much is too much? That's what readers will find out in this wonderfully absurd story heading to 6-year-old readers this month! 100 Rooms Written by Haya Shenhav Illustrated by Yirmi Pinkus Publisher: Kalaniot Books pjlibrary.org/books/100-ro...

Good children’s books can make learning fun, and we were thrilled to find one that also adds a beautiful element of Jewish culture. It’s Uno Dos Tres: A Sephardic Counting Book, written by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Nathalie Belhassen, and published by PJ Publishing.

Best wishes for a cheesy and meaningful Shavuot. From Jewish Cats All Year Round. www.amazon.com/Jewish-Cats-... @pjlibrary.org

If you've heard you can celebrate a Jewish holiday by eating ice cream . . . you're absolutely right! Shavuot, which starts tonight, marks when the Ten Commandments and the Torah were given to the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai.

The change in routine for summer is a great time to teach children about the Jewish value of bal tashchit, which tells us we “don’t destroy needlessly.” Teach kids more about bal tashchit (including reading a book like 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World): pjlibrary.org/baltaschit

Also known as the "33rd day” of counting the Omer, Lag B'Omer, which starts tonight, is full of joy and tradition, including bonfire-inspired treats like s'mores! Head to our website to read our family discussion guide and see more resources about the day: pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Summer will be here before you know it. Mark these upcoming holidays on your calendar, and find all the resources you need to celebrate as a family on our website. Lag B’Omer: May 15-16* Shavuot: June 1-3* Tisha B’Av: Aug 2-3* Tu B’Av: Aug 8-9* *Holidays begin at sundown on the first date listed.

Ready to shake up Shabbat? One way is to try making it beautiful, a Jewish concept called hiddur mitzvah. It means "beautification of a commandment." Think swapping tealights for candlesticks, or dressing up the dining room with placecards and placemats.

Time to spread some JOY for Lag B'Omer, the holiday that starts one week from now!

We always read to our girls at night before bedtime - one of their kindergarten teachers told me how she could always tell which kids didn’t, as they were slower to learn their letters 😔 They still talk about their fav books. Shoutout to @pjlibrary.org for the wonderful books they received!

Ever wondered what it would be like to move to Israel? When Jewish people move to Israel, it’s called making aliyah, which is Hebrew for “going up.” For Yom Ha'atzmaut, check out these picture and middle grade books about what it’s like to live there. pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Ever wondered what it would be like to move to Israel? When Jewish people move to Israel, it’s called making aliyah, which is Hebrew for “going up.” For Yom Ha'atzmaut, check out these picture and middle grade books about what it’s like to live there. pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Shabbat shalom! Art from: Havdalah Sky Written by Chris Barash Illustrated by Sarita Rich Publisher: PJ Publishing

Why do we bake a key-shaped challah after Passover?⁠ ⁠ Miriam Ezagui, a labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, and mom of five, shared all about the tradition of a schlissel (Yiddish for “key”) challah on the PJ Library blog: pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Happy World Book Day! Thank you to the PJ Library families and supporters who've joined the celebration by making a gift to PJ Library and having it matched. Your support ensures that Jewish children can see themselves reflected in the stories they read and be proud of who they are.

Tomorrow is World Book Day, a global celebration of books and reading, and here at PJ Library, we’re celebrating in a big way. Books are kind of our thing! All gifts to PJ Library made in celebration of World Book Day will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50K, starting now. pjlibrary.org/donate

This Shabbat, we're highlighting a book that has a lot to do with Shabbat, heading to older readers now. At age 11, Estee Ackerman made it to the finals of the U.S. National Table Tennis Championships. There was only one match standing between her and a gold medal—and it was set during Shabbat.

If you're looking forward to breaking bread (actual bread) after Passover, you're not alone! And for anyone who enjoys sweets and doughy treats, the rich culture of the Moroccan Jewish community lives on in a joyous celebration called Mimouna. pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Who doesn’t love a classic fairy tale? Centuries ago, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov crafted intriguing tales to make complex spiritual truths more accessible to his followers. Israeli author Ruth Calderon and illustrator Alona Millgram brought one of these to life.

Wishing you and your family Shabbat shalom and chag Pesach sameach! Passover starts tomorrow night -- need some last-minute help? Get recipes, grocery lists, seder tips, videos, and tons more from PJ Library right on our website: pjlibrary.org/passover

Spotted at the Bologna Book Fair! Thanks to @pjlibrary.org for featuring A Place at the Table, by me and Saadia Faruqi. It's so great to see that our book about cross-cultural friendship continues to speak to young readers. Thanks Sandra Feder for snapping the photos! @harperkids.bsky.social

Shalom, which means "peace," comes from the same Hebrew root as the word for wholeness. From the PJ Library family to yours, we hope this Shabbat is whole and complete in all the ways you want it to be. Art from: Never Too Quiet Written by Barbara Diamond Goldin Illustrated by Amanda Hall

Settle in for a playlist of stories featuring Passover traditions from around the world! First, Humpty Dumpty prepares to host a seder for the first time. Next, we'll chase Joha through Passover to see how families all over celebrate. Finally, head to Mashal in a special Story for Another Time.

Runaway matzah? In this book, heading to 5-year-old subscribers this month, the Passover tradition of searching for the afikoman comes to life—literally!

Early bedtime? Busy schedule? Don’t have much time for seder? We’ve got you! Check out PJ Library’s 15-minute seder. It’s great for kids (and adults) with busy lives or short attention spans. This guide will help you have a meaningful celebration in a short timeframe. pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

Chag Purim sameach - happy #Purim! Art from: One, Two, Three, Purim! Written by Naomi Shulman Illustrated by Nora Hilb Published by PJ Publishing

Purim comes with a lot of fun . . . and also four mitzvot (plural of mitzvah): 1. Reading the Megillah 2. Giving gifts 3. Eating a special meal 4. Supporting those that need help How are you celebrating -- and making the most of these mitzvot -- this year?

Who are we celebrating in March? Women – for Women’s History Month! You don't have to be famous, have invented anything, or have started a Fortune 500 company - all women are honored, doing just what you do to make the world a better place. Find these books and more: pjlibrary.org/beyond-books...

If you have Maddi's Fridge at home, this story helps highlight one of the four mitzvot of Purim: feeding those who are hungry. When Sofia learns that her BFF Maddi doesn't have enough food in her fridge, she wants to help -- but Maddi has asked Sofia not to tell anyone. What should Sofia do?