Mazel Tov to the Sydney Taylor Book Award Winners!

Kar-Ben Publishing is thrilled to announce that the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee has named three Kar-Ben titles as either 2014 Honor Books or Notable Books for Younger Readers! Mazel tov to our hardworking authors and illustrators!

Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. In addition to gold medals awarded in each of three categories, two Honor Books are awarded silver medals and Notable Books are named in each category.

You can find these and other Sydney Taylor Award Winners on the Kar-Ben website! Through the end of February, receive 20% off these 2014 Sydney Taylor winners!

2014 Sydney Taylor Honor Books for Younger Readers

 

Stones for Grandpa

Renee Londner

illustrated by Martha Aviles

It’s not easy for a child to cope with the death of any family member, especially a beloved grandparent. In Stones for Grandpa, a little boy and his family gather at the cemetery for the unveiling of his grandpa’s gravestone, bringing stones to place on the grave, as is the Jewish custom. They tell stories that help the boy deal with his loss, reminding him of the wonderful memories he has of his grandpa.

 

Rifka Takes a Bow

Betty Rosenberg Perlov

illustrated by Cosei Kawa

Rifka’s parents are actors in the Yiddish Theater in New York, but one day Rifka finds herself center stage in a special role!  A slice of immigrant life on New York’s Second Avenue, Rifka Takes a Bow, new from Kar-Ben, is a unique book about a vanished time and a place – the Yiddish theater in the early 20^th century -- made real through the telling of the true life story of the 96-year-old author as a little girl.

 

2014 Sydney Taylor Notable Books for Younger Readers

 

The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street

Ann Redisch Stempler

illustrated by Francesca Carabelli

In The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street, Tel-Aviv is full of cats of every color and size, and Mr. Modiano—a grumpy fishmonger—has no time for them! His neighbor, Mrs. Spiegel, loves cats, taking care of her little grey cat with a pink collar and feeding a fluffy white stray cat. Mrs. Spiegel wants to be friends with Mr. Modiano and invites him to tea but he always says “lo, lo, lo, no, no, no.”

But one night when Mrs. Spiegel’s cat goes missing, it is Mr. Modiano who heroically takes off in search of the furry feline. When he finds her cat, Mrs. Spiegel is overjoyed. But what about Mr. Modiano? Has he finally had a change of heart and learned the value of companionship?

With its glimpse into a colorful and diverse Israeli neighborhood, this lovely story about friendship also nicely portrays Tel-Aviv’s beach, markets and other features of Israeli life.