Vicki L. Weber – författare

2011 Sugarman Family Children's Book AwardEvolving from the oral tradition that gave us Torah and Talmud, folktales illuminate and reinforce the lessons of our heritage. We tell them to entertain our children, and also to pass on our values.It's Too Crowded in Here! is a collection of Jewish folktales and midrashic stories in this spirit, enlivened by colorful illustrations. While they are fun to simply read aloud with children, the stories also provide a rich yet light-hearted resource for exploring key values such as self respect, compassion, appreciation, tolerance, and thankfulness.Resource pages after each story provide some brief background linking the story with its underlying message and connecting it to sources in Jewish tradition. Appropriate for any background or level of Jewish knowledge, these supplemental notes, together with a few open-ended questions and activity suggestions based on each story, can help those who would like to lead children through a deeper exploration of each story.Stories and Values:It's Too Crowded in Here! - ContentmentHillel Takes a Bath - Self-RespectWhy Trees Don't Talk - ActionThe Spider that Saved David - AppreciationThe King of Songs - ToleranceThe Carefree King - CooperationThe Goat that Made the Stars Sing - ResponsibilityThe Fishing Lesson - Self-RelianceSpecial Features:Eight folktales and midrashic stories retold to engage young children.Values message articulated for each story and expressed in language children can understand.Resource pages after each story provide references that place each value in its Jewish context, and tips for helping children understand them.Quizzical Questions provide lighthearted discussion starters.Try This! Suggests brief, age-appropriate activities for children

“Kids will easily find mirrors in the artwork, which should make the book attractive for children and parents alike.” – Jeff Gottesfeld, Sydney Taylor ShmoozeFollow a group of babies and toddlers as they wake to a new day and learn the greeting Boker Tov.Sharon Ng's colorful illustrations emphasize baby faces and show the diversity of our Jewish community.

"Babies and toddlers will enjoy its cheerful, comforting content, plus the opportunity to practice a sweet Hebrew phrase." – Shirley Vernick, The Sydney Taylor SchmoozeDrowsy babies and toddlers end their day with a sweet Lailah Tov--Good Night in this quiet rhyming board book featuring children and caregivers representing multiple ethnicities.One of four in a series of board books that introduce the concepts of Boker Tov; Lailah Tov; Shabbat Shalom, and Shavua Tov.

“... the idea of Shabbat being a time to get together, eat, and sing songs is transferred wonderfully to the reader and would be enjoyed by young readers as they learn the greeting "Shabbat Shalom." – Rinat Hadad Siegel, Sydney Taylor ShmoozeFollow a group of babies and toddlers as they celebrate Shabbat and learn the greeting Shabbat Shalom.Sharon Ng's colorful illustrations emphasize baby faces and show the diversity of our Jewish community.

A feast for the eyes and for the Jewish soul. This lavish, 256-page full-color visual reference book contains all the whats, wheres, whys, and hows of Jewish living. With its comprehensive, step-by-step walk through the Jewish calendar and life-cycle, this elegant book will help you bring the richness of Jewish tradition to life.Tradition! is divided into three sections: Jewish Life-Cycle explains the meaning of the Jewish practices and customs of basic life-cycle events, such as marriage, having a baby, and mourning the death of a loved one. Jewish Holidays presents the history and customs of the feasts, fasts, and festivals that mark the Jewish calendar. Jewish Home Observance will guide you through the basic ritual objects, blessings, songs, and foods that make each holiday unique, presenting Hebrew blessings and their transliterations, holiday rituals, popular recipes, and much more.The perfect holiday gift, or a gift to mark a bar or bat mitzvah, graduation, confirmation, or wedding, Tradition! is a resource to turn to again and again for celebrating the milestones of Jewish life and the cycles of the Jewish year.