Leslie Kimmelman – författare

Happy Hanukkah! Count down each night with this gorgeous and fun holiday storybook. Celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah with this interactive, one-of-a-kind menorah and storybook set. The perfect Hanukkah gift for the entire family to enjoy! Each night, open a candle-shaped book and follow a young Jewish girl and her family as they decorate their home, say blessings, enjoy traditional foods and games, and gather to hear about the brave Maccabees and their victory that brought light to all Jews.Flip the book over to “light” the candle and place it back in the menorah to commemorate each night of the Festival of Lights!

A heartwarming Passover picture book about the beloved Jewish holiday from award-winning author Leslie Kimmelman. A young boy and his family gather together to host a seder and celebrate the Festival of Freedom, filled with delicious dishes and an endless parade of guests.For Ethan and his family, Passover, the Festival of Freedom, is a holiday full of longstanding traditions, food, family, and great company. And at Ethan’s family seder, one message of the Haggadah is never forgotten: let all who are hungry, come and eat. This year, however, Ethan is anticipating a very small seder. Until . . . Knock, Knock, Knock.Each unexpected guest brings something surprising and special, reminding us all that the seder’s most essential ingredient is community.

When Bat and Sloth disagree, can they still get along?

What's howling? Bat and Sloth are going to find out.

“Its story and illustrations both burst with humor and heart.” – Michelle EdwardsSomeday, Lena hopes to be a world-famous detective. But in the meantime, she’s working on “The Case of the Mysterious Rabbi!” It’s a tricky one. The rabbi seems to be everywhere. With her loyal dog at her side, Lena investigates Rabbi Max as he teaches Torah, builds a sukkah, bakes some challah, and of course…slurps spaghetti! How can one person do so many different things in so many different places? Can Lena crack the case?

“The story of Noah and the Ark provides a lesson in living together in peace.” – Kirkus ReviewsThe weather in Noah's neighborhood was terrible.It rained and rained and rained.It looked like it would never stop! Noah and his family crowded on board the ark.The animals got seasick.The skunks made a stink.Could things get any worse?From bad weather to hungry animals to a leak in the ark, things get worse and worse . . .and WORSE. And then they figured out a way to make things better.

"A cozy tale of friendship, mutual aid, neighborliness, and tasty, tasty food." --Kirkus Reviews Bank Street College "Best Children's Books of the Year," 2023 EditionMr. Mintz is famous in his neighborhood for cooking up cheesy, gooey, and delicious blintzes. Each spring he shares them with his friends to celebrate to celebrate the holiday of Shavuot. But when he hurts his leg in a skateboarding accident and is unable to cook, what will become of the blintzes?Join in as Mr. Mintz's neighbors collaborate to return the kindnesses he has so generously distributed to them over the years. An author's note for families includes a short explanation of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

"This cheery book features joy, courtesy, and care for others in a fun and lighthearted way". --Jewish Book Council"Delightful and perky picture book" --The Sydney Taylor ShmoozeJoin this bevy of friendly, colorful monsters as they demonstrate how they, too, can be mensches (creatures of integrity and honor) bytreating others well. Includes a definition of the word mensch.

Parents help a young girl handle her feelings about a coming change to their family in a story that also spotlights Jewish baby naming practices.A new baby is coming and everyone is so excited! Everyone except Ella. Her parents ask her and older brother, one question for many months: What should we name the baby? Ella doesn't even want a new baby; she's already the baby! So she suggests names like Squirt or Lumpy. Ella will need to learn about growing up, coping with changes, and her own family members before she can be the best big sister to a new baby--a baby who probably won't be named Lumpy!

"Gloriously beautiful and tender." --Kirkus Starred ReviewA Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Children's Book for 2023In this unusual retelling, the biblical story of creation is told from Eve's perspective and explores what it might have been like emotionally for the world's first two people to experience everything for the very first time--seeing and naming the animals; feeling the rain; fearing the night; becoming excited by the stars, and having faith that they are not alone.Lush illustrations bring the wonder of the new world to life, while children will enjoy looking for the recurring cat and dog characters throughout the story. The story stops well before the infamous apple-eating scene, focusing instead on themes of curiosity, discovery, new experiences, handling fear, and having faith. Author's note further explores the nature of faith for young children."Kimmelman employs soaring highly descriptive language imbued with gentle humor, imagination, wonder, and awe, brought to vivid life by Avgustinovich's lush artwork." --Kirkus Reviews

"Tender and thought-provoking" —Kirkus Reviews"After thousands of years of one interpretation, the old story is reinvigorated" —School Library Journal"Highly recommended for purchase for home, schools, and libraries." —Association of Jewish LibrariesIn this interpretation of the biblical story of Genesis, Eve and Adam are praised for their curiosity even as they must accept the consequences for eating from the Tree of Knowledge. A hopeful message for ages 4-7 about carving your own path and the courage it takes to embrace imperfection.Eve and Adam loved life in Eden among all the beautiful plants and animals. And at the center of it all was the spectacular Tree of Knowledge. But despite how sweet it smelled and how amazing it looked, God warned Eve and Adam to stay away from the tree, and not to eat its fruits. "It will change you," God said.While Adam was content, Eve was full of questions. Why is the sky blue? How far away is the sun? Why is thunder so loud? How do turtles grow shells? Eve went to see if maybe the Tree of Knowledge held the answers. There, a snake spoke to Eve, and she decided to take a fruit back to Adam. They must choose if they will listen to God's warning, or if they will seek the answers they crave, and accept the consequences.

From award-winning author Leslie Kimmelman, an instrumental editor in the creation of the first Sesame Street character on the autism spectrum, comes a picture book about speaking truthfully yet with kindness, the importance of being supportive in the face of differences.Daniel has always been true to himself. Even when he was younger, and talking was hard, he found his own way to share his thoughts. And when he was almost five, it was like the words became unstuck! It was so good to say exactly what he thought.But sometimes, Daniel doesn't think about what might happen after he says what he thinks. He tells his mother the soup tastes odd, or his classmate his shoes smell funny, or his sister her singing hurts his ears. He wants to be himself, and say what was on his mind, but his words are hurting people's feelings. And he doesn't want to do that.With the help of his family, Daniel learns the importance of treating other people the way he'd want to be treated. He practices empathy by standing in other people's shoes (literally!) before he speaks. And gradually he gets better at speaking the truth and doing so with kindness.