OTTER OUGHTA KNOW
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Orchard Books (Scholastic) 2024
Written by Karyn Friedman-Everham
Illustrated by Michael Robertson
An otter's dip in the river turns into a wild ride when she's joined by an unlikely guest . . . a gator! Critters watching from the riverbank fear the worst – but they soon discover that friendship comes in surprising packages. Buckle up for a rollicking high-stakes story sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. With vibrant, bold illustrations and playful rhyme, Otter Oughta Know is perfect for read-aloud fun.
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A Storyvoice Live selection (more than 32,000 viewers tuned in!)
A 2024-25 Scholastic Book Fair selection
A 2024 Scholastic Must-Read Picture Book for Summer
A Beanstack Recommended Animal Picture Book
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– Michelle Houts, author
of Hopefully the Scarecrow and Sea Glass Summer
“What an amazing preschool read-aloud! It’s interactive, joyful, will be great for encouraging kids to do large motor movements, and has just the right amount of suspense to keep them laughing and engaged all the way through. And of course, there is the loving overarching message about play and friendship.”
- Becca McMurdie, author
of Building a Beak and Just a Shell...Or Is It?
"The message is sweet – friends come in all forms . . . wordplay makes for a tongue-twistingly cute read-aloud."
- Kirkus
CHESED
PJ Publishing October 1, 2025
Written by Karyn Friedman-Everham
Illustrated by Gabby Grant
Feeding hungry birds, helping a child with a dropped ice cream cone, bringing a fruit basket to a housebound neighbor . . . small things can make a big difference. How many ways can kindness make an impact in your world? In this board book, a child’s family and neighbors join her in bringing chesed (loving kindness) to every part of the day.
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A Grinspoon Jewish Story Award winner
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“This charming board book says so much in very few words. ‘Chesed,’ the Hebrew word for loving kindness, spreads throughout the community as members care for each other and the natural world that nourishes all of us. The short lyrical rhymes will enchant the child readers, and the softly colored illustrations, with people clearly delineated and backgrounds blurred, give a soothing feel to the book.”
– Arlene Schenker, author of Call Me Gebyanesh
“Simple, rhyming text and soft, pleasing illustrations adorn this charming board book about chesed, the Hebrew word for kindness. The metaphor of growing chesed communicates the ripple effect of grace and goodwill. What a wonderful opportunity to encourage little ones and the adults reading to them to embrace kindness.”
- Sydney Taylor Schmooze:
Jewish Children's Book Reviews