Three new board books about the experience of Purim, from PJ Publishing. (Photo courtesy of PJ Library)
On Purim, adults and kids alike will boo evil Haman and cheer Queen Esther’s bravery. But how do the very youngest kids begin to understand the holiday?
“When you’re getting to these younger ages, you really want a book that will represent the experience of Purim, more than the story of Purim,” said Naomi Shulman, Managing Editor of PJ Publishing, the publishing imprint of PJ Library.
PJ Library recently released three new board books about Purim, geared towards delighting and educating toddlers up to age three. Each book explores, with inviting illustrations, a different aspect of Purim, like putting together baskets of treats or dressing up in costumes. “They’re really focused on the child’s experience of the holiday, and hopefully we’ll get them really excited for it,” said Shulman.
Today I Am a Hamantasch: A Purim Poem (age 0-12 months)
Written and illustrated by Varda Livney
This “Purim poem” depicts the magic of dressing up—along with the fun of returning to being yourself. As described by Israel-based author and illustrator Varda Livney, Purim is “the perfect
opportunity” to be somebody else for a while. For children it feels like, “‘I’ll be this, and I’ll be that, and then tomorrow I’ll be me!’” Livney added. Today I Am a Hamantasch also features cut-out pages, to help a whimsical rabbit explore different costumes and identities.
Livney, a graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, has published multiple books with PJ Publishing and elsewhere. Her previous titles include Jewish Cats All Year Round, Hanukkah at Monica’s, and How to Get to Savta’s for Shabbat.
Purim Baskets (age 1)
Written by Nancy Churnin/Illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
In Purim Baskets, readers guess what animal will receive each basket of mishloach manot (Purim gift baskets of food)—all beautifully illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford.
Inspired by her cat, Gloria Swanson, Churnin shared that she was determined to make a cat an integral part of this Purim story. “Since Gloria is fond of treats and toys, it was an easy leap to create a book about Purim baskets for our furry, feathered, and scaled friends,” the author explained.
Churnin has a passion for writing about people and animals that, she says, “inspire kids to become heroes of kindness.” She is a theater critic turned children’s book author; her picture book Dear Mr. Dickens won both a National Jewish Book Award and a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor.
Purim Possibilities (age 3)
Written by Barbara Kimmel/Illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
When Barbara Kimmel saw a young girl wearing a delicate tutu matched with bold, colorful rain boots, she fell in love with the child’s creativity and confidence. “She captured how children can be many things at once—silly and serious, outgoing and quiet, brave and gentle,” Kimmel said.
That moment became the inspiration for Kimmel’s book, Purim Possibilities, which tells the story of a child enthusiastically trying to choose a Purim costume. Every exciting option is depicted by Irina Avgustinovich’s vivid and fun-filled illustrations, and the book concludes with a first for PJ Publishing: reusable costume stickers.
Kimmel is a playwright as well as a children’s book author. Her debut children’s book, Hanukkah Hippity-Hop, was named a Best Jewish Holiday Children’s Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Beyond books, PJ Library has multiple Purim resources for families celebrating Purim available in its winter holiday guide and PJ Library holiday hub. Additionally, PJ Library’s Get Together Microgrant Initiative offers financial support for families to gather, celebrate, or participate in the mitzvot of Purim. To learn more, visit pjlibrary.org/gettogether.
