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.