Values in Jewish Children's Literature

Abstract

Writers are supposed to be broad­minded, liberal, objective, ecumenical people. Well, I admit  that I am guilty of a very definite parochial prejudice. I happen to think that Jewish books—whether  they are humorous  and light, or grappling  with serious matters—should have something Jewish to say to their readers. And to me, "something  Jewish" means that, in some way,a  book is plugged into the central nervous system of Jewish lore and knowledge, that it looks to Jewish sources for direction, and that it starts from the premise that the foundation of Jewish truth and  wisdom—i.e.,  the  Torah—is our un­wavering focal point.