Best Children's Judaism Books of 2025

The Torah's Little Keepers is a delightful children's book that tells the story of how the Jewish people became the guarantors of the Torah. With charming illustrations and catchy rhymes, this book is perfect for parents to read to their children at home or for use as a teaching tool during Shavuos. The meaningful storyline emphasizes the importance and preciousness of every child, making it a valuable addition to any children's Judaism book collection.

What Was the Holocaust? by Gail Herman is a well-researched and age-appropriate introduction to one of the most horrifying events in history. The book traces the rise of Hitler and the Nazis, and how their anti-Semitic policies led to the genocide of millions of people, including six million Jews. The author presents just enough information for elementary school readers and includes carefully chosen illustrations and photographs. The book is a valuable resource for educating children on the Holocaust in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

The Boy on the Wooden Box is a memoir by Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler's list. Leyson's story of bravery and perseverance amidst the sadism of the Nazis is perfectly captured in this book. The memoir gives readers a glimpse of the innocence of a small boy who went through the unthinkable. The book is at its most powerful when Leyson relays the events in a straightforward manner, from the shock of seeing his once-proud father shamed by anti-Semitism to the deprivation that defined his youth. Overall, this memoir is a legacy of hope and an extraordinary story of survival that readers will never forget.

My First Jewish Baby Book: Almost everything you need to know about being Jewish—from Afikomen to Zayde is an adorable board book that introduces little ones to the Jewish culture. This book covers quintessential foods, rituals, holidays, and important cultural references in a fun, rhyming way that is perfect for ages 0-3. The illustrations are hip and colorful, making it a must-have for any Jewish baby's nursery. This book is a great way for parents and grandparents to share their love and knowledge of Jewish culture with the little ones in their lives. Overall, My First Jewish Baby Book is an excellent introduction to Judaism for young children.

Who Believes What?: Exploring the World’s Major Religions is a comprehensive and inviting introduction to the five major world religions. The book uses a search-and-find style, with fully illustrated spreads representing each religion, followed by a text spread providing further information. The illustrations are busy, bright, and packed with details, showing people worshipping among symbolic places, rituals, and objects. The book also includes broader context about religion and each featured belief system. Overall, this is a great addition to school and public library shelves, offering personal enrichment and classroom assignments.

"Nice" Jewish Girls is a captivating book that explores the lives of 36 groundbreaking Jewish women who defied the odds and made their unique mark in various fields, from politics and literature to activism and science. The biographies of historical icons and contemporary heroines, including Anne Frank, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sarah Silverman, provide a fascinating window into the ways Jewish women have embraced their identities and approached their fields. The book is well-researched, inspiring, and informative, with impressive scope. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Jewish history and the achievements of Jewish women."

Four Perfect Pebbles by Marion Blumenthal Lazan is a poignant memoir that tells the story of a family's struggle to survive during the Holocaust. The Blumenthal family was trapped in Nazi Germany and spent six and a half years living in refugee, transit, and prison camps before finally making it to the United States. Despite the horror and hardship, the book is a testament to the family's courage, hope, and resilience. The twentieth-anniversary edition features new material by the author, including a reading group guide, a map, and additional photographs. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Holocaust and the human spirit's ability to endure in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II is a heartwarming memoir of a young Jewish girl growing up during the war. Lia Levi's captivating voice and innocent perspective make this book an important addition to the WWII Jewish canon. The poignant moments of friendship, loss, and resilience are brought to life through beautiful black-and-white illustrations and a family photo album. This powerful young reader's adaptation of an award-winning memoir is a must-read for children's Holocaust books. Overall, Just a Girl is a remarkable and powerful book that teaches us about the strength of the human spirit in times of adversity.

The Tower of Life is a moving biography about Yaffa Eliach, the woman behind the powerful exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The book tells the true story of how Yaffa made it her life’s mission to recover thousands of her town’s photographs from around the world, after nearly 3,500 Jewish souls were erased during the Nazi invasion. The book is a stunning tribute to a loving community and an extraordinary woman. Highly recommended for children's multigenerational family life books.

The Children's Illustrated Jewish Bible is a superbly written and illustrated collection of biblical stories for children. It covers all the key events in the Hebrew Bible, including new stories like "Ezekiel and the Dry Bones" and "Ezra Shares God's Word". The book features the key characters and tells their tales, with pages on "Life in Egypt" and "Life in Canaan" bringing the stories of ancient tradition to life. The authors' perfectly pitched retellings inspire the next generation to carry on the tradition. This book is a must-have for all parents who want to introduce their children to the rich Jewish heritage.