PJ Library Presents: Have I Got A Story For You!

Replay: Rena's Restaurant Reviews

The ingredients for the next classic children's story might be right in your kitchen! PJ Library is partnering with the Jewish Food Society (JFS) to find a recipe with a backstory that can be whipped up into the next great picture book.
To get your creative cooking (or baking) juices flowing, we're re-airing some of our favorite food-themed Have I Got a Story For You! episodes, starting with Rena's Restaurant Reviews. 

After listening, give us a taste of your story at jewishfoodsociety.org/pjlibrary -- one family's recipe will be turned into a PJ Library book! 

025: The Carob Tree

Rita is out for a walk through the neighborhood, admiring all of the plants, gardens, and bushes that her neighbors have planted and cared for through the years. Her walk reminds her of another neighborhood with a special carob tree and a tale of two neighbors. The Carob Tree is a Jewish folk tale retold by PJ Library and presented to families here in audio form and as part of a special PJ Library December 2020 gift. 

Jewish tradition emphasizes both taking care of the here-and-now and creating a better world for generations to come. PJ Library's special December gift invites families to “plant for today” with an at-home growing activity and “plant for tomorrow” through a tree donation campaign– two ways of highlighting for children the miracle of growth and the value of shmirat hateva

(responsibility for the earth).

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Story editor: Alli Thresher
The Carob Tree: A Jewish Folktale retold by Naomi Shulman and Danny Paller with illustrations by Sabina Hahn. Adapted for audio by Alli Thresher

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Young Tali: Danielle Geist
Hannah, Grown-up Tali: Deirdre Wade
Annabel: Gwen D'Angelo

Audiobook: The Sabbath Lion

In this Algerian folktale, Yosef is determined to keep the Sabbath -- even though he is in the middle of a dangerous desert journey. But he knows he’ll be all right because he is getting help from a powerful friend.

The Sabbath Lion, written by Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush, illustrated by Stephen Fieser, published by PJ Publishing. This story is narrated by Kristofer Jenson.

 

024: Iron Mom

Tag along with Rita Toomey to follow the adventures of Iron Mom, the world's greatest superhero! From epic battles with out of this world villains, to Shabbat dinner with the kids, Iron Mom does it all. But why does she keep sneaking out on Sundays in disguise? 

 

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded remotely
Mixed at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alan Silberberg
This episode was written by Daniel Ginsburg

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Devrah, Iron Mom: Jen Kenneally
Crabula: Walter Alice Sickert
Daniel: Zad Gravebone
Darcy: Gwen D'Angelo
Shady Pines' staff: Kristofer Jenson
Residents of Shady Pines: Deirdre Wade, Tau Zaman
The Michelson Twins: Wednesday Alice
Daniel's classmate: Bowie D'Angelo

Audiobook: The Mouse Who Danced The Hora

Tillie Mouscovitz lives in the walls of a synagogue. She normally stays out of sight, but the joy of a wedding party dancing the hora lures her out. After all, it’s a mitzvah to dance at a wedding! Will Tillie be allowed to join in entertaining the bride and groom?

The Mouse Who Danced the Hora is written by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Christine Davenier , and published by PJ Publishing. This audiobook is narrated by Deirdre Wade.

Visit pjlibrary.org/books to learn more.

Mini Minisode 3: What Is Shemini Atzeret?

Listener Addison has heard of a Jewish holiday where people pray for rain. Rabbi Naomi is here to give the scoop on Shemini Atzeret, one of the holidays right after Sukkot. 

Learn more at pjlibrary.org/holidays

Audiobook: Never Too Quiet

Chag Sameach, it's a Sukkot surprise! This week we're changing things up with an audiobook. If you would like more audiobooks mixed in with your Have I Got a Story For You folktales, drop us a line at gotastorypodcast.com/contact.

 

Credits:

Never Too Quiet, written by Barbara Diamond Goldin and illustrated by Amanda Hall, is published by PJ Publishing.
Audiobook narration by Kristofer Jenson
Editing by Alli Thresher

 

023: The Clever Thief

A nacho-loving piglet, a very formal rooster, and a jingle-writing lion all take center stage in this week's episode. Rita Toomey is at home enjoying a mid-afternoon snack when an unexpected visitor arrives. Piglet regales Rita, and listeners, with an updated take on a midrash that reminds us all: no one is perfect (and that's okay).

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alan Silberberg
Written by: Petey Gibson

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Piglet: Gwen D'Angelo
Rooster: Tau Zaman of the Whisper Forge
King Lion: Walter Alice Sickert
The Chickens: Deirdre Wade
Monkey: Peter Moore

Listen Again: Talking With Kids About God

Our recent episode, Carly's Cupcakes, is a story of kindness, community, and cupcakes. And it also inspired a couple of listener questions about God. This "mix" features answers to listener questions, a re-listen to Carly's Cupcakes, as well as tips from our special guest, Rabbi Avi Killip, about talking with your children about God, no matter what you believe. 

Mini Minisode 2: Why Do We Eat Pomegranates On Rosh Hashanah?

It's time for another mini minisode. Today, trusty engineer Al, is on hand to answer a listener question from Tali. Take a listen to learn more about the tradition of eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah. 

Check out PJ Library's free digital and print-at-home guide for the High Holidays at pjlibrary.org/highholidays.