Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates events told in the biblical Book of Esther. Hand these titles to young readers so they can share in the parties, costumes, and food that are all part of the festivities.

Board Books

Who Brought the Hamantaschen? by Marcia S Gresko. illus. by Steve Mack. Lerner/Kar-Ben. ISBN 9798765620670. 
PreS–In this spare, colorful board book, smiling costumed children each bring a different fruit: “Leo brought yellow bananas to the Purim party. Nora brought orange papayas to the Purim party.” VERDICT Cheerful and appealing to the youngest audience, though not as educational as Tracy Newman’s Purim Is Coming! or Joni Kibort Sussman’s Happy Purim, Grover!

Picture Books

Max’s Mask: A Purim Story by Havvah Deevon. illus. by Itay Bekin. Kalaniot. ISBN 9781962011020. 
K-Gr 2–A superhero mask and cape conceal Max’s anxiety as the young boy with pale skin and dark hair enters his new kindergarten classroom. Each day, Max wears a new superhero costume, and each day David, a bothersome boy with pale skin and blonde hair, pesters Max. VERDICT A thoughtful look at Purim through a social-emotional lens. Purchase where collections could use new titles on the holiday.

Kayla and Kugel’s ­Playful ­Purim by Ann D Koffsky. ­Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156705.
PreS-Gr 2–The next book in the series featuring Kayla and her puppy, Kugel, showcases the very child-friendly Jewish holiday of Purim. Kayla explains the meaning behind the holiday to readers in simple but clear language. VERDICT A recommended purchase for those seeking an approachable book that is explanatory, concise, and engaging for young children.

Meet the Hamantaschen by Alan Silberberg. illus. by author. Viking. ISBN 9780593351574. 
PreS-Gr 1–Silberberg offers a humorous picture book celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim in this companion to Meet the Latkes and Meet the Matzah. Three hamantaschen detectives and a shadowy stranger must unveil what happened to the megillah, the scroll that is read during the Purim festivity. VERDICT A creative picture book that uses humor to teach children about Purim and its lessons of courage.

Purr-im Time! by Jenna Waldman. illus. by Erica J. Chen. Apples & Honey. SBN 9781681155937. 
PreS-Gr 1–Three little kittens celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim by baking hamantaschen cookies, delivering gift baskets to friends and neighbors, wearing costumes and marching in a parade, acting out the story of Queen Esther, shaking noisemakers, and enjoying carnival games. VERDICT A welcome addition for secular and religious collections alike.

Chapter Books

The Royal Recipe: A Purim Story by Elana Rubinstein. illus. by Jennifer Naalchigar. Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156071.
Gr 3-6–Saralee Siegal, a 10-year-old kid with a secret weapon—her “super-nose,” which can smell “so much more than the ordinary”—uses her gift to save her family from Haman, whom she has accidentally conjured up from the ancient past. VERDICT This book is likely to be enjoyed more by young readers who are already familiar with Jewish traditions than those who are not. However, the unique theme of Purim will enhance multicultural literature collections of early reader chapter books and should be considered as a worthwhile purchase.