It’s Jewish American Heritage Month, and what better way to celebrate our heritage than children’s books about food? Because everyone, no matter what, can agree that Jewish food is the best.
These books feature diverse and surprising tales about Jewish food, from Ashkenazi classics to Asian and Mexican mash-ups.
For young kids:
“P Is For Pastrami” by Alan Silberberg
A fairly diverse children’s ABC book that will introduce kids to all kinds of Jewish staples. Silberberg has plenty of Jewish kids’ books where food items like latkes, matzah and hamantaschen are the heroes, and they’re all sweet and adorable. If you want more ABC books, consider “B Is For Bagel.”
“1, 2, 3, Nosh With Me” by Micah Siva and Joshua Siva, illustrated by Sviatoslav Franko
A visually stunning illustrated counting book that introduces kids to Jewish foods eaten on different holidays.
“Do Not Eat This Book” by Beth Kander, illustrated by
For those looking to have more hands-on cooking experiences with your littles, this book features delightful illustrations and fun recipes for every Jewish holiday.
“The Bagel King” by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Sandy Nichols
A sweet children’s book about the connecting power of bagels.
“Bubbie & Rivka’s Best-Ever Challah (So Far!)” by Sarah Lynne Reul
A dynamic and enchanting tale of a girl who makes challah with her grandmother. Yes, they’re not the best bakers, but they have love and determination on their side. Looking for more funny challah books? Try “Challah Day!” and the board book “Challah!”
“Rising” by Sidura Ludwig, illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy
A beautiful and meditative book about the act of making and consuming challah. Poetic and charming and as calming as kneading dough.
“The Boston Chocolate Party” by Tami Lehman-Wilzig and Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz, illustrated by Fede Combi
A dense and delicious little kids book that not only connects Jews to the history of hot chocolate but also to the early days of this country.
“Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas” by
Darling, mischievous Sady reminds us that latkes aren’t the only fried foods Jews eat during Hanukkah. Her Indian Jewish family loves Hanukkah dosas.
“Jalepeno Bagels” by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Robert Casilla
Pablo marries his Jewish and Mexican heritage with deliciously spicy jalapeño bagels.
“Chik Chak Shabbat” by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker
Goldie’s neighbors help her make her famous Shabbat cholent, a slow-cooked traditional Jewish dish, in this diverse and wonderful (and once banned) book. Can’t get enough of cholent? Try “The Cholent Brigade” and “This Is Not Cholent.”
“A Persian Princess” by Barbara Diamond Goldin, illustrated by Steliyana Doneva
Raya and her grandmother make koloocheh, Persian cookies, for Purim, while exploring Persian Jewish traditions.
“Meshuggah Food Faces” by Bill and Claire Wurtzel
A funny book of food faces — including the likes of Banana Streisand and Sigmund Fruit — that will encourage you and your kids to play with your food (before you eat it, of course).
“I Hate Borscht!” by Yevgenia Nayberg
This book isn’t explicitly Jewish, but its author is, and it is all about the fraught connection some people have with the traditional food of their youth. Want more Jewish borscht tales? Try “Bone Button Borscht.”
“Matzo Ball-Wonton Thanksgiving” by Amelie Suskind Liu and Leslie Lewinter-Suskind
Asian and Jewish culture marry in this sweet Thanksgiving tale. For those looking for more of the same, pre-order the upcoming “Mixed-Up Mooncakes.”
For older kids:
“Recipe for Disaster” by Aimee Lucido
A middle-grade story about finding your own connection to Judaism through, among other things, food.
“$150,000 Rugelach” by Allison Marks and Wayne Marks, illustrated by Ariel Landy
An appetizing middle grade novel about a baking competition. Want more middle grade books about baking aficionados? Pre-order the upcoming “Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules.”
“The Jewish Deli” by Ben Nadler
I read this book with my 5-year-old, and it’s a thorough fascinating history of the Jewish deli, which kids who love frequenting them will adore.
