NEW RELEASE! Let’s Use Them Right

November 13, 2013

C350You’re visiting a friend and her family along with your child. Just as you and your friend have sunk into a delicious conversation over mugs of hot coffee and chocolate-chip cookies, the unmistakable sounds of children fighting fill the air. You watch in horror and mortification as your child lifts his hand to hit your friend’s child; or delivers a sharp kick to the other kid; or begins spitting at him.

As you stand there, begging Hashem to please let the ground open up and swallow you right then and there, your child turns to you and nonchalantly says, “Hey, Ma, can I have a chocolate-chip cookie, too?”

For many children, the knowledge of the right and wrong ways in which to use their hands, feet, and mouth—which to us would seem instinctive—does not come naturally. Such children need to actually be taught these important social skills.

In her capacity as an O.T., Sara Leah Schwartz sees children misusing their hands, feet, and mouth all the time, often because they need stimulation for these body parts and simply haven’t been taught the correct—and incorrect—ways to exercise them. She approached us with the idea of creating a book that would teach children, in rhyme and with illustrations, what they should and should not do with their hands, feet, and mouth. Additionally, she planned to include tips and advice for parents on how to provide proper stimulation for their children’s developing (and thus often restless) limbs.

We at Israel Bookshop Publications were thrilled with the idea and jumped right into the project, which led to the production of Let’s Use Them Right.

In this adorable, rhyming book, your child will learn the appropriate ways in which to use their hands, feet, and mouth, as well as what they should not do with them, in a most enjoyable way. It’s not preachy at all, but it does do a great job at showing children that, for example, there is a time when it’s appropriate and correct to spit (i.e., when they are brushing their teeth) and times when it’s not proper to do so (i.e., all other times).

For all children needing reminders about the proper way to use their hands, feet, and mouth—Let’s Use Them Right is the book of choice!

Click here to purchase online.


NEW RELEASE! Exploring the Wet and Wild Underwater World

November 13, 2013

L635You’re in a pickle.

Last Chanukah, you gave a copy of Exploring the Wild World of Animals to everyone on your gift list, and you were immediately crowned “Best Parent/Grandparent/Uncle/Aunt/Friend” of the season. Wonderful—it felt good. But now, with Chanukah just around the corner again, you’re unsure about how to keep up your reputation. A book as amazing as that is not a common phenomenon, which leaves you wondering what you can give as gifts for this Chanukah.

Well, we have the answer to that! Announcing…(drum roll, please…): The Jewish World of Wonders’ second book, Exploring the Wet & Wild Underwater World—a stunning, large-sized, full-color book exploring the beautiful and mysterious world of fish and other aquatic creatures!

In this fascinating and gorgeous book, readers are taken on a spectacular journey through the oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes of the world, to learn the wonders and design of thirty-five beautiful and unique marine animals. You’ll discover these aquatic creatures’ predators and prey; how each one survives in its habitat; and loads of other fascinating “Fast Facts,” “Wacky Facts,” “Did You Know?” tidbits, and of course the popular “Animal Quacker” jokes about each animal. As in Exploring the Wild World of Animals, there is also a “Torah Talk” section for each sea creature, where Torah values and lessons can be gleaned from the creature by way of a mashal.

So go ahead; make someone’s day—or your own!—with this incredible book. Turn the pages, and you’ll soon find yourself playing with a colony of porpoising penguins, swimming with a pod of “smiling” dolphins, meeting some graceful manta rays, and discovering many of the other amazing aquatic creatures that fill the underwater world that Hashem created!

Click here to purchase online.

Click here to preview a chapter.

coral reef


Dance of the Puppet – Chapter 19

November 7, 2013

purple bookIsrael Book Shop presents Chapter 19 of a new online serial novel, Dance of the Puppet, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters. 

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Dovi Brim looked around the small room. The principal pulled back the curtain that shaded the window and pointed to a chair facing the desk.

“Please, have a seat,” she said quietly. “One moment; there’s only one chair here.” She began walking towards the door, but Mr. Brim turned to his son before she got there.

“Dovi, go bring yourself a chair.”

A mournful silence rang in Dovi’s ears as he walked out to the secretary’s office. He walked over to a chair standing near the wall and picked it up. “There’s only one inside,” he said by way of explanation, tilting his head towards the inner office. “May I take it?”

“Sure,” Chana replied, and went back to what she was doing.

“Good morning,” Mr. Brim began. “Or rather, it’s just about good afternoon. Pleased to meet you. We are the Brims, from Manhattan. We came here because we are aware of the strong connections Rabbi Weinstock has with your school.”

The principal nodded silently, her face somber. She seemed to be apprised of the situation, Dovi mused to himself, and from her expression, he came to the conclusion that the subject was closed as far as she was concerned.

But his father had no intentions of giving in so quickly. “I don’t know if the principal is aware of things as they were until now,” he continued, “but Dovi is an excellent talmid. Last year, in shiur beis, they were very pleased with him in the yeshivah. He learns well, is very respectful, and is well liked by his friends. True, he also knows how to play the flute beautifully, and he even played for the yeshivah on Purim night. What happened over summer vacation was really a very big mistake on our part that simply…got out of hand at one point. Dovi, perhaps you should describe how Mr. Aberfort called you and how it all began.”

Dovi complied, and the principal listened attentively as he spoke, her eyes fixed on the pen in her hand. Dovi stopped short at describing the concert itself. He wanted to add something, but at the last minute decided not to. Keep Reading…