Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education

Educational Resources

Bibliographies

A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SHABBAT FOR FAMILIES

Compiled by Nancy M. Messinger,
Director of Educational Resources

PRESCHOOL

A Holiday for Noah by Susan Remick Topek. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Publishing, 1990.
Preschooler Noah can hardly wait for the next “Challah Day,” his favorite holiday!

It’s Challah Time by Latifa Berry Kropf, photographs by Tod Cohen. Minneapolis, MN: Kar-Ben Publishing, Inc., 2002.
A photo essay which follows preschoolers in a Jewish nursery school as they make hallah.

Let’s Celebrate Shabbat by Miriam Wikler and Madelin Wikler, illustrated by Miriam Sagasti. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Publishing, Inc., 1999.
A lively rhyme about preparing for the Jewish Sabbath. Board book for toddlers.

My First Shabbat Book, Clare Lister, Editor. New York, NY: DK Publishing, Inc., 2003.
A small board book with vibrant color pictures of Shabbat items and children preparing and celebrating Shabbat.

My Shabbos 1, 2, 3's by Surie Fettman, illustrated by Patti Nemeroff. Brooklyn, NY: Hachai Publishing, 1996.
Preschool children can learn about the Sabbath as well as about counting from one to ten. This counting book with a Jewish twist uses brother Donny's and sister Dina's weekly preparation for Shabbat to familiarize children with numbers.

Poppy Seeds, Too: A Twisted Tale for Shabbat by Deborah Uchill Miller, illustrated by Karen Ostrove. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Publishing, 1982.
Light-hearted rhyme with black and white cartoon-like illustrations. Each one of several bakers contributes an original suggestion to the recipe for hallah.

Sammy Spider’s First Shabbat by Sylvia Rouss, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Copies, Inc., 1997.
Perfect for preschool and kindergarten children, this bright picture book follows Sammy Spider as he watches the Shapiro family prepare for Shabbat.

A Sense of Shabbat by Faige Kobre. Los Angeles, CA: Torah Aura, 1990.
A child’s eye view of Shabbat ceremonies, with simple text and black and white photographs.

Shabbat by Miriam Nerlove. New York, NY: Albert Whitman, 2000.
Picture book, with beautiful watercolor illustrations, depicting a girl and her family celebrating Shabbat together.

The Shabbat Box by Lesley Simpson, illustrated by Nicole in den Bosch. Rockville, MD: Kar-Ben Copies, Inc., 2001.
When it is finally Ira’s turn to take his nursery school class’s Shabbat box home, he loses it in a snowstorm and must decide what to do next.

Shabbat Can Be by Raymond Zwerin. New York, NY: UAHC Press, 1998.
Each page describes something different that Shabbat can be - all things which make it special - with full-page color illustrations.

Shabbat Shalom! By Michelle Shapiro Abraham, illustrated by Ann Koffsky. New York, NY: UAHC Press, 2003.
Friday night preparations and Shabbat celebration are taught in short easy rhyme. Blessings included are in Hebrew, English and transliteration.

Shabbat Shalom: Jewish Children’s Songs - Sabbath at Home. New York, NY: Transcontinental Music Publications, 2003.
Seven lively English songs are presented for Erev Shabbat. The CD also includes Hebrew blessings for giving tzedakah, lighting candles, blessing children, drinking wine, eating hallah, and a tot birkat hamazon. Songs include children’s voices.

Tot Shabbat by Camille Kress. New York, NY: UAHC, 1997.
Shabbat is introduced to little ones in this board book. The story, told in the first person by a young boy, describes candles burning, hallah baking, and the peace of Shabbat. It ends with the prayer "Hear O Israel: the Eternal is our God / the Eternal is One!" Simple and engaging, the book features dreamy watercolors that suit the serene mood.

When I Fell Into My Kiddush Cup by Sashi Friedman, illustrated by Sarah Kranz. Brooklyn, NY: Merkos Linyonei Chinuch, 2000.
A little boy falls into his kiddush cup and ends up in a fantasy land where he learns about the place held by wine in Jewish tradition and practice. Attractive and whimsical illustrations enliven and enhance the story.

Game:Let’s Help for Shabbos! Jerusalem, Israel: Feldheim Educational Games, Ltd., 2001.
The object of this game is to complete all the Shabbat chores on an individual player’s game board, and be the first to welcome Shabbat by reaching the center of the board.

Shabbat Bibliography 2003 Elementary
Shabbat Bibliography 2003 Adult