Santa! He's not even real! It's not easy being Welcome Comfort-a foster child always moving from home to home and getting picked on by the kids at school. Even Christmas, the most wondrous time of the year, isn't so wondrous for Welcome, since he has no family, no presents, and no Santa Claus. But when Welcome meets Mr. Hamp, the school custodian, he finally finds a friend. And when Christmas comes around, Welcome is taken on an extraordinary adventure that changes his life forever. "Sentimental but appealing, the story of a special inheritance is illustrated with lively pictures wrapped up in cheerful Christmas colors."

A present contains a monstrous secret. An uninvited guest haunts a Christmas party. A shadow slips across the floor by firelight. A festive entertainment ends in darkness and screams. Who knows what haunts the night at the dark point of the year? This collection of seasonal chillers looks beneath Christmas cheer to a world of ghosts and horrors, mixing terrifying modern fiction with classic stories by masters of the macabre. From Neil Gaiman and M. R. James to Muriel Spark and E. Nesbit, there are stories here to make the hardiest soul quail - so find a comfy chair, lock the door, ignore the cold breath on your neck and get ready to welcome in the real spirits of Christmas.

On the first night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Judah has too much to do and too little time to do it. Before the rabbi leaves to visit the emperor, he tells his housemaid Basha that she can ask the golem to help. While the golem makes latkes, Basha decides to visit a friend. Basha is having so much fun with her friend, she doesn't realize that latkes are pouring out of the rabbi's house, sending people running! Will Rabbi Judah come up with a solution to control the golem before it's too late? Illustrated with lively acrylic on wood, the book includes an Author's Note about the tale's origins.

A Holocaust survivor shares Hanukkah with a loving family that gives him the courage to remember. Full color.

The beloved elementary school sleuth Cam Jansen is back in her 31st mystery! Eric's father is finally graduating from college. But before the celebration can begin, a very special present from Grandpa Shelton disappears. Was it lost--or stolen? There's no way Cam will let a thief ruin the graduation celebration! She must use her photographic memory to track down the gift.

Cam surprises her parents with a 40th birthday party, but when Granny and Gramps call from the airport and say they've been robbed, her parents rush to the airport. They don't notice Cam and Eric have climbed into the backseat of the car, but Cam can't let her parents go without her if there is a mystery to be solved. Illustrations.

A Child Study Association Children's Book of the Year An IRA/CBC Children's Choices Book A Parents' Choice Awards Picture Honor Book

Describes the history behind Hanukkah and the ways it is celebrated.

A hilarious Christmas story from an Emmy award-winning writer of The Simpsons ! When Santa’s knocked out cold by a Jack-in-the-Boxer’s walloping punch, deli owner Murray Kleiner reluctantly agrees to take his place. The suit doesn’t fit, Murray smells a bit like pickles, and there’s no way he can remember the names of all those reindeer. But with the help of a pushy elf and an eager-to-believe young boy, Murray finds out that even though he’s not big enough to fill Santa’s suit, he’s got more than enough heart to get the job done. * "Reiss scores a bull's-eye with this hilarious debut. Catrow's puckish watercolors are equal to Reiss's wit and lightning pace." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review "Finally, a Christmas book that lives up to its title!" --Matthew Groening, creator of The Simpsons

DISCOVER THE SERIES BOYS AND GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD LOVE TO READ! Horrid Henry sabotages the Christmas play; tries to do all his Christmas shopping without spending any of his allowance; attempts to ambush Santa Claus (to get more presents, of course); and has to endure the worst Christmas dinner ever! Francesca Simon is one of the world's best-loved children's authors. She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UK?with a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won't be able to resist Henry's amazing talent for trouble! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HORRID HENRY AT JABBERWOCKYKIDS.COM! PRAISE FOR HORRID HENRY "Henry's over-the-top behavior, the characters' snappy dialogue, an d Ross's hyperbolic line art w ill engage even the mo st reluctant readers." Publishers Weekly "Like Dennis the Menace and Curious George, Horrid Henry is either finding trouble or creating it, and the kids are crazy about his antics." Meredith Smith, grade school teacher, DolceBellezza.blogspot.com "Kids will love reading the laugh-out-loud funny stories about someone whose behavior is even worse than their own." School Library Journal "Will make you laugh out loud." Sunday Times Why Horrid Henry? Kids love it! "I love the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon. They have lots of funny bits in. And Henry always gets into trouble!" Mia, age 6, BBC Learning is Fun "It's easy to see why Horrid Henry is the bestselling character for 5-8 year olds." Liverpool Echo Because it's funny "My two boys love this book and I have actually had tears running down my face and had to stop reading because of laughing so hard. My oldest son is rereading all the books in this series on his own now and he still loves them. Happy reading!" T. Franklin, Parent "A modern comic classic." SF Said, Guardian Children's Books Supplement Kids get to be harmlessly rebellious "Henry is a beguiling hero who has entranced millions of reluctant readers... little rebels will love this collection and even little angels will be secretly thrilled by Henry's anti-heroic behaviour." Herald Henry's naughtiness is a yardstick against which children can get a sense of their own moral goodness and social justice "What is brilliant about the books is that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world." Emily Turner, Angels And Urchins Magazine Reaches the most important age group - children who are learning to read "I have tried out the Horrid Henry books with groups of children as a parent, as a babysitter, and as a teacher. Children love to either hear them read aloud or to read them themselves. The books are spot on for the 5-8 age range and are fun for the adults who share them too." Danielle Hall, Teacher The structure provides new readers with a real sense of accomplishment "My son is 7 years old and a big Horrid Henry fan. This book lived up to his expectations! Horrid Henry is like most boys: he always has a plan and is always getting into mischief! It was amusing, and he could not put it down. Can't wait for the next. He read it cover to cover by himself in 2 days! That for me sells a book! He can't wait for the next one to be published. He has recommended it to all his friends." Mrs. Tami Gold, Parent Reaches both boys and girls equally "Wonderfully appealing to girls and boys alike, a precious rarity at this age." Judith Woods, Times Books A global publishing phenomenon with 12 million copies sold! WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HORRID HENRY: "Parents reading them aloud may be consoled to discover that Henry can always be relied upon to behave worse than any of their own offspring." Independent "An absolutely fantastic series and surely a winner with all children. My son took this book as his favourite during book week at his school and converted a few children to the cause. Long live Francesca Simon and her brilliant books! More, more please!" "My 5-year-old adores them so much he couldn't wait to start reading because of them." "I really like Horrid Henry and like reading it to my dad. It's funny!" Matthew, 9, St. Albans "Horrid Henry is a fabulous anti-hero: monstrously selfish and greedy, he does things most children only dream about... a modern comic classic." The Guardian "My 6-year-old son has now read the whole series unaided and is quite content to re-read the stories again and again. My 5-year-old is dying to be able to read well enough so she can read them independently too!" "Henry is really naughty and makes me laugh. He's very funny and he has lots of adventures." Martha, age 5, Bella "A flicker of recognition must pass through most teachers and parents when they read Horrid Henry. There's a tiny bit of him in all of us." Child Education "It didn't even make it to the library shelves and there's a long waiting list for it! Enough said." Nancy Astee, Child Education "A definite must for every teacher - reading about Henry makes your naughtiest child seem like a saint!" "As a teacher of 8-year-olds, it's great to get a series of books my class love... They torment me to lend them the books so they can read them on their own. Need I say more?"

When a family adopts a well-behaved puppy that they name Angel, everything is fine until the next full moon.

The Koren Sacks Siddur is the first new Orthodox Hebrew/English siddur in a generation. The Siddur marks the culmination of years of rabbinic scholarship, exemplifies Koren¿s tradition of textual accuracy and intuitive graphic design, and offers an illuminating translation, introduction and commentary by one of the world¿s leading Jewish thinkers, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. Halakhic guides to daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers supplement the traditional text. Prayers for the State of Israel, its soldiers, and national holidays, for the American government, upon the birth of a daughter and more reinforce the Siddur¿s contemporary relevance. A special Canadian Edition is the first to include prayers for the Canadian government within the body of the text.

Eight tales-one for each night of Hanukkah-demonstrating the inventive storytelling powers of Nobel Prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singer. Miracles and visitations abound in the world Singer portrays, a world in which love triumphs over time and tribulation, and faith prevails. Each story is invested with the mystical spirit of Hanukkah. " The Power of Light can enrich readers of all faiths, all ages, with its descriptions of the miraculous power of light over evil. The stories also reveal Singer's genius.''- Publishers Weekly

Lesléa Newman's picture book Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children that's "both lovely and eminently useful" ( Kirkus Reviews )--illustrated by Susan Gal. Here is the world, ever changing and new, Spinning with joy at the wonder of you! Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life. Back matter includes a description of each holiday, easy crafts and recipes for every season, and a 3D tear-out dreidel! " Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal's charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring--with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course." -- Publishers Weekly

A sweet bedtime story and a Hanukkah tale, this story-within-a-story is presented in both rebus and traditional forms to give it an added dimension. Parents magazine voted Happy Hanukkah Rebus one of the "Best Kids' Books of 1989". Full-color illustrations throughout.

On the first night of Hanukkah, a mother tells her family and a young guest the story of the holiday's origin.

Extremely Reform Judaism is one of the world's fastest growing denominations and also its most misunderstood-ever since the ancient forefathers first lifted their eyes to God to ask, "Why can't we have a Christmas Tree?" How to Be an Extremely Reform Jew pokes irreverent yet good-natured fun its subject, with chapters on the mandatory and optional Extremely Reform Jewish holidays; maintaining the Extremely Reform Jewish home; diaspora travel tips; Extremely Reform rites of passage (circumcision, bar mitzvah, intermarriage); and how to deprogram your Extremely Reform child after he has joined a religious cult. Highlights include "The Ten Suggestions"; a "Feast and Fast Yo-Yo Diet Guide to Jewish Holidays"; and "Glengarry Glen Purim, a David Mamet Purim Play." This humorous illustrated guide contains numerous quotations from ancient Extremely Reform Jewish texts, such as, "He who gives a coin to the poor is rewarded with six blessings, but he who makes a pledge to charity receives a free tote bag," and, "Thou shalt not stand outside the synagogue on the High Holy Days scalping thy tickets to the services." First published by Avon Books in 1994, the new edition preserves the content of the original in fresh paperback and ebook formats. It's an ideal gift for Hanukkah or any occasion.

“I love The First Christmas . What a charming way Stephen Mitchell has found to tell my favorite story of all, the Nativity, character by character (I love the donkey and the ox), with wise and thrilling interludes about God, reality, truth.” –Anne Lamott In The First Christmas , Stephen Mitchell brings the Nativity story to vivid life as never before. A narrative that is only sketched out in two Gospels becomes fully realized here with nuanced characters and a setting that reflects the culture of the time. Mitchell has suffused the birth of Jesus with a sense of beauty that will delight and astonish readers. In this version, we see the world through the eyes of a Whitmanesque ox and a visionary donkey, starry-eyed shepherds and Zen-like wise men, each of them providing a unique perspective on a scene that is, in Western culture, the central symbol for good tidings of great joy. Rather than superimposing later Christian concepts onto the Annunciation and Nativity scenes, he imagines Mary and Joseph experiencing the angelic message as a young Jewish woman and man living in the year 4 bce might have experienced it, with terror, dismay, and ultimate acceptance. In this context, their yes becomes an act of great moral courage. Readers of every background will be enchanted by this startlingly beautiful reimagining of the Christmas tale.

Jewish life is regulated by two calendars, the civil and the Jewish, each with its own dates and distinctive ryhthms. This volume, Gates of the Seasons: A Guide to the Jewish Year, is designed to help Jews feel more clearly the flow of Jewish time. Gates of the Seasons is a comprehensive survey of the home-based and synagogue-based mitzvot for all the sacred days, both ancient and modern, which make up the cyle of the Jewish year. Also included are brief essays on such subjects as the Jewish calendar, the liturgy of the festivals, and the special Torah and Haftarah readings. The book includes extensive notes, bibliography, glossary and an index.

A critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author explores the Christmas holiday, from the original festival through present day traditions. Christmas has always been a magical time. Or has it? Thirty years after the first recorded Christmas, one archbishop was already complaining that his flock was spending the day, not in worship, but in dancing and feasting to excess. By 1616, the playwright Ben Jonson was nostalgically remembering the Christmases of the old days, certain that they had been better then. Other elements of Christmas are much newer--who would have thought gift-wrap was a novelty of the twentieth century? That the first holiday parade was neither at Macy’s, nor even in the USA? Some things, however, never change. The first known gag holiday gift book, The Boghouse Miscellany , was advertised in the 1760s "for gay Gallants, and good companions", while in 1805, the leaders of the Lewis and Clark expedition exchanged--what else?--presents of underwear and socks. Christmas is all things to all people: a religious festival, a family celebration, a period of eating and drinking. In Christmas , bestselling author and acclaimed social historian Judith Flanders casts a sharp eye on its myths, legends and history, deftly moving from the origins of the holiday in the Roman empire, through the first appearance of Christmas trees in Central Europe, to what might be the origins of Santa Claus--in Switzerland--to draw a picture of the season as it has never been seen before.