Apples & Honey Press has a growing list of stories for children ages 3-8 that bring Jewish values to life, from Ahavat Tziyon (Love of Israel) and B’tzelem Elohim (Made in the Image of God) to Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) and Tzedakah (Giving Justly).

Ahavat Tziyon (Love of Israel)

  • Matzah Ball Chase-Ages 3-6. "This very silly rhyming story...encourages travel, exploration, and learning about one’s heritage." —Association of Jewish Libraries
  • Shimri’s Big Idea-Ages 3-7. “Children will appreciate seeing how a boy with a keen eye helps to accomplish great things in this reimagining of biblical history.”— Kirkus Reviews
  • Maccabiah: The Long Ride to the International Sports Games-Ages 5-8. A teenager with a vision is the impetus in the creation of the world’s third largest sporting event.
  • The Peddler and the President-Ages 6-8. The true story of the lifelong friendship between President Harry Truman and salesman Eddie Jacobson and its impact on the founding of Israel. "An extremely important and well crafted book...solid piece of Jewish American history, with themes of friendship, using your voice, and making a choice." —Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Bal Tashchit (Protecting the Earth)

  • Big Sam: A Rosh Hashanah Tall Tale-Ages 3-8. 2018 Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book “Matching Rosh Hashanah with an appreciation of the natural world is an inspired choice." –The Jewish Book Council
  • Claudia Said Si: The Story of Mexico’s First Woman President-Ages 6-8. "This book puts forth traits of curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and ingenuity as admirable, especially when used for the benefit of many. Gorgeous illustrations complete the warm tone of the narrative." —Booklist. Coming in September.

B’tzelem Elohim (Made the Image of God/Acceptance)

  • My Body Can-Ages 3-6. Celebrates a variety of body types and abilities with a body-positive message that everyone is beautiful, powerful, and can do amazing things. Coming in October.
  • There’s a Goblin on the Ark!-Ages 3-6. "A gentle, accessible take on Noah's Ark laced with a message of acceptance." --Kirkus Reviews
  • Call Me Gebyanesh-Ages 4-8. Gebyanesh Addisu teams up with co-author Arlene Schenker to turn her experiences as a young immigrant struggling in a new and strange place into a universal story about the importance of name to identity and being true to yourself and your culture. “A valuable springboard to discussions about identity with children.” The Jewish Book Council.
  • Hillel Takes a Bath-Ages 4-7. "This love­ly, mag­nif­i­cent­ly illus­trat­ed book keeps to the spir­it of Hillel’s teach­ing by tak­ing a high­er con­cept and sim­pli­fy­ing it so it can be eas­i­ly under­stood." — Jewish Book Council

Chesed/Gemilut Hasadim (Kindness/Acts of Loving Kindness)

  • How to Be a Mensch By A. Monster-Ages 3-6. "This cheery book features joy, courtesy, and care for others in a fun and lighthearted way". --Jewish Book Council
  • Mr. Mintz's Blintzes-Ages 4-7. "A cozy tale of friendship, mutual aid, neighborliness, and tasty, tasty food." --Kirkus Reviews; "Best Children's Books of the Year" List, --Bank Street College
  • The Best Treasure-Ages 4-7. "This warm, com­fort­ing sto­ry reminds read­ers about the joys of true friend­ship." —Jewish Book Council
  • Dancing on Memories-Ages 6-8. A young girl is able to evoke smiles and memories when she plays the music of Swan Lake for her grandmother, a former ballerina who now suffers from Alzheimer's. Coming in October.
  • A Toad for Tuesday-Ages 6-8. "A genuinely nice story . . . As a parable of friendship, A Toad for Tuesday will serve its readers any day of the week." –The New York Times

 Hachnasat Orchim/Empatya (Welcoming Guests/Empathy)

  • Miriam and the Sasquatch- Ages 4-7. “This clever Rosh Hashanah story does an excellent job of including holiday symbols and traditions while telling a unique, engaging tale." --School Library Journal
  • Don’t Invite a Bear Inside for Hanukkah-Ages 3-6. "An amusing tale, speckled with Hanukkah details, about making guests feel welcome."—Horn Book; "What if a guest becomes difficult to bear? This book leads by example"—Foreword Reviews
  • American Golem-Ages 5-8. "Through an amusing story and charming, highly detailed illustrations, American Golem articulates the fear of every newcomer: that they won’t fit in." –The Jewish Book Council. "Shifts the focus to friendship, fitting in, welcoming newcomers, and assuming the best in people." –School Library Journal

 Ometz Lev (Courage)

  • Mommy Can You Stop the Rain?-Ages 3-6. “This calming, credible approach to diverting children from the anxiety of volatile storms is a winner.” – Kirkus Reviews
  • Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor-Ages 3-6. "A special shield provides courage on the battlefield and in the doctor’s office."—Kirkus Reviews
  • Maddie the Mitzvah Clown-Ages 4-7. "The sadness of shyness and the seriousness of mitzvot mix in a charming picture book” -Association of Jewish Libraries; A different way to give back to the community (and help oneself), this cheery outing should not be confined to its Jewish context." -Kirkus Reviews
  • Hank on First! How Hank Greenberg Became a Star On and Off the Field-Ages 5-8. "Greenberg's example stood, and still stands, as inspirational for all players experiencing racial or religious prejudice." --Booklist

Pidyon Sh'vuyim (Freeing Others)

  • The Pirate Rabbi-Ages 5-8. An adventure-seeking rabbi goes on a mission to free captives from pirates off the coast of 16th century Amsterdam. "This sweet story speaks to a child's wish for adventure, while also showing how kindness matters." --The Historical Novel Society
  • On The Wings of Eagles-Ages 5-8. A dramatic telling of the airlift of Yemeni Jews by Alaska Airlines as part of Operation Magic Carpet in 1949-1950. “Suspenseful and well-told.” The Jewish Book Council.
  • Rose Spoke Out-Ages 5-8. "An inspiring portrait of a woman committed to making a difference and whose influence is still felt to this day." --Kirkus Reviews
  • Friends to the Rescue-Ages 9-11. Winner of the 2025 Western Canada Jewish Book Award. "With charm­ing illus­tra­tions, this mid­dle-grade nov­el por­trays dan­ger, friend­ship, hope, and hero­ism in an age-appro­pri­ate way. It sheds light on a lit­tle-known episode of World War II his­to­ry and hon­ors the Ital­ian town whose peo­ple were deemed Right­eous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem."—Jewish Book Council

 R’difat Shalom/S’lichah (Pursuing Peace/Foregiveness)

  • Jackie and Jesse and Joni and Jae-Ages 4-6. "This child-friendly introduction to tashlich will be welcome in Jewish homes and classrooms and will open up secular discussions of forgiveness." — Kirkus Reviews
  • Avital the Pirate-Ages 4-6. "Avital the Pirate is a whimsical story about a young Jewish girl who tries to teach her pirate Great-Uncle Brownbeard and his crew about using their talents in positive ways. The basic lesson is that this is the time for all of us to consider and evaluate our behavior over the past year and make changes for improvement. If pirates can transform their behavior, then certainly we can all work to do so”. –The Association of Jewish Libraries
  • Lucky Penny-Ages 6-8. "Ele­gant­ly weaves lessons about the sym­bols and rit­u­als asso­ci­at­ed with the Jew­ish New Year into a sto­ry about for­ti­tude and friend­ship." —JThe ewish Book Council

Sak’ranut (Curiosity)

  • Eve and Adam Discover the World-Ages 4-7. In this interpretation of the biblical story of Genesis, Eve and Adam are praised for their curiosity even as they must accept the consequences for eating from the Tree of Knowledge. "After thousands of years of one interpretation, the old story is reinvigorated"—School Library Journal; Tender and Thought provoking” –Kirkus Reviews.
  • Max Builds a Time Machine-Ages 6-8. When he wants to find some answers to his questions about what happened in the Bible, Max builds a time maching to go find out for himself. “ A masterful and fun read.” –The Sydney Taylor Shmooze.

 Shalom Bayit (Peace in the Home)

  • Worse and Worse on Noah’s Ark-Ages3-6. When the ark springs a leak, the animals find they need to stop complaining and cooperate. “The story of Noah and the Ark provides a lesson in living together in peace.” – Kirkus Reviews
  • Waiting for Lumpy-Ages 5-7. Lumpy might be the perfect name for a new baby sibling you’re not sure you will want around. “Reminds us all that the addition of a new family member is a big adjustment for everyone. . . Recommended.” –The Association of Jewish Libraries
  • The Most Annoying Aliens Ever-Ages 5-8. Two friends discover wasy to see their annoying younger brothers in a different light. “Told with humor and insight, this book will enchant young readers, especially those with siblings.” – The Sydney Taylor Shmooze
  • The Secret of the Scent Map-Ages 6-8. Saralee Siegel needs to find a way to make things right again after she says mean things to her aunt, who then disappears. "A magical adventure with rich depictions of Jewish culture." --School Library Journal, Starred Review.

 Tzedakah (Giving Justly)

  • What’s in Tuli’s Box-Ages 2-3. A kitten learns opposites while also finding out about helping others through tzedakah. “Charming.” –The Jewish Book Council
  • Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles-Ages 4-7. Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award. "A sweet and compassionate introduction to an important Jewish custom." --Kirkus Reviews; "Oftentimes, stories about giving tzedakah (charity) are heavy-handed and pedantic, then along comes a jewel of a story that shows how this mitzvah enriches the giver as well as the receiver." –The Association of Jewish Libraries