Small, but mighty. Board books – small books, usually with less than 100 words, aimed at toddlers – can have a powerful effect on a child’s language, social and emotional development.

Jewish board books, particularly, are a valuable opportunity to provide windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors that nourish Jewish and non-Jewish children alike at that all important time in their lives when they are learning words, concepts, pride, inclusion, empathy and a sense of community. Just like the board books they have created, the group of Jewish board board writers is small but mighty. They are rich in diversity and passion for the importance of writingJewish-themed books for ages 0-3. And they all have books coming out in 2023.

The Authors and Their Books

Author and illustrator Ann Koffsky introduces kids to the Hebrew word Shalom and its three meanings—hello, goodbye and peace—in Sheep Says Shalom (Green Bean Books) in 2023.

She also has a set of four Jewish board books coming out from Apples & Honey Press, which focus on objects: My Mezuzah, My Shofar, My Dreidel and My Matzah. “The idea behind each of these,” Koffsky notes, “is to introduce a Jewish object in a kid-friendly and accessible way.” annkoffsky.com

As with Koffsky’s books, Pippa’s Passover Plate by Vivian Kirkfield (illustrated by Jill Weber, Holiday House) focuses on an object—a seder plate. But her gentle, rhyming book also touches on social-emotional elements as her small mouse faces and overcomes fears to search for her missing plate in time for the holiday celebration, only to find unexpected help from kind animal friends. viviankirkfield.com

National Jewish Book Award winner Nancy Churnin’s debut board book, Counting on Shabbat (illustrated by Petronela Dostaleva, Kar-Ben Publishing), also tells a social-emotional learning story of kindness within a short, rhyming tale of Shabbat and counting. nancychurnin.com

Board books also offer an opportunity to represent the diversity of Jewish culture. Sarah Aroeste is a leader in writing irresistible board books from Kar-Ben Publishing that center on Sephardic families. In her upcoming Mazal Bueno (illustrated by Taia Morley, Kar-Ben Publishing), she makes it clear, in her words, that “Sephardic culture is part of Jewish culture, not apart from it. We need to normalize Jewish diversity right at the start.” saraharoeste.com

Author and illustrator Varda Livney is passionate about representing diversity in her board books, too. “I am a white mom of black kids,” Livney says. “It is crucial to me for my kids (and all kids) to be seen and to see others as a natural part of the Jewish landscape. Livney says you can expect her books to feature kids of color in them. “Unless it’s a book with only bunnies,” she says, pointing out that bunnies, not kids, are the stars of her upcoming board book, Challah! (PJ Publishing).”Then they might be blue, green or pink.” vardaart.com