Welcome Fall with New Storybooks from Apples & Honey Press

The Goblins of Knottingham: A History of Challah
By Zoe Klein

Long ago, in the town of Knottingham, there were three little goblins:

Knotty was naughty,
Knotsalot was no good,
And Notnow was no good, no how, not then and not now!

More than anything else, these mischievous goblins like to tangle children’s hair!

Find out how the children fought back, and how their tangled hair led to the unlikely invention of a braided bread called challah.

What can my students learn?
The power of teamwork

Sample Discussion Question:

When have you used teamwork to solve a problem? What did you do?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Using playdough, have your students work as a team and braid their own “challah.”

Adam’s Animals
By Barry L. Schwartz

Meet Adam, and a dazzling array of fascinating and unfamiliar animals from A to Z in this playful alphabet book that retells the story of Adam naming the animals. Beautiful, lush illustrations complement this fun read-aloud.

What can my students learn?
A part of the biblical story of Creation

Sample Discussion Question:
What does your name mean? Why were you given that name?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Have your students create their own animal! Let them draw a picture of their imagined creature and share what makes it unique.

Avi the Ambulance and the Snowy Day
By Claudia Carlson and Ann D. Koffsky

Avi the Ambulance and his medic, Zack, are on the way to help people stuck in the snow, but the snow keeps coming down hard.

Soon, Avi and Zack are stuck too!
Uh, oh. How will they rescue others, when they need a little rescue themselves?

What can my students learn?
The value of helping others

Sample Discussion Question:
What kinds of community helpers do you know? What kinds of people and places help you feel safe?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Add toy emergency vehicles to your free play area or sand table and encourage students to role-play rescuing each other.

Big Sam: A Rosh Hashanah Tall Tale
By Eric Kimmel

While making a giant challah for Rosh Hashanah, Big Sam makes an even BIGGER mess.

What can my students learn?
Tikkun Olam, the Jewish value of healing the world.

Sample Discussion Question:
Rosh Hashanah is a time to look back on our actions from the past year. What things have you done that you are proud of?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Have your class brainstorm BIG ways you can help your friends and family.

Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor
By Ann D. Koffsky

More than anything, Judah wants to be a good big brother to his baby sister, Hannah. He even uses his new Maccabee shield to protect her from danger!

On the last day of Hanukkah, during a visit to the doctor, Judah refuses to get his shot. Surely, his shield can protect him from germs too!

What can my students learn?
Why it is important to face your fears

Sample Discussion Question:
Have you ever had to do something that you really didn’t want to do? What was it? Did you do it anyway? Why or why not?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Make your own Maccabee shield (using construction paper, a paper plate, or a Frisbee) and decorate it.

Yom Kippur Shortstop
By David Adler

Inspired by the story of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher Sandy Koufax, a Little League ballplayer must choose between playing an important game and attending a Yom Kippur service.

What can my students learn?
The importance of Yom Kippur

Sample Discussion Question:
Do you think Jacob made the right decision? Why or why not?

Sample Kid-Friendly Activity:
Have students discuss all the “teams” they are a part of. Include how they help the team and what makes them a special part of it.