It's Too Crowded in Here! and

2011 Sugarman Family Children's Book Award

Evolving from the oral tradition that gave us Torah and Talmud, folktales illuminate and reinforce the lessons of our heritage. We tell them to entertain our children, and also to pass on our values.

It's Too Crowded in Here! is a collection of Jewish folktales and midrashic stories in this spirit, enlivened by colorful illustrations. While they are fun to simply read aloud with children, the stories also provide a rich yet light-hearted resource for exploring key values such as self respect, compassion, appreciation, tolerance, and thankfulness.

Resource pages after each story provide some brief background linking the story with its underlying message and connecting it to sources in Jewish tradition. Appropriate for any background or level of Jewish knowledge, these supplemental notes, together with a few open-ended questions and activity suggestions based on each story, can help those who would like to lead children through a deeper exploration of each story.

Stories and Values:

It's Too Crowded in Here! - Contentment

Hillel Takes a Bath - Self-Respect

Why Trees Don't Talk - Action

The Spider that Saved David - Appreciation

The King of Songs - Tolerance

The Carefree King - Cooperation

The Goat that Made the Stars Sing - Responsibility

The Fishing Lesson - Self-Reliance

Special Features:

Eight folktales and midrashic stories retold to engage young children.

Values message articulated for each story and expressed in language children can understand.

Resource pages after each story provide references that place each value in its Jewish context, and tips for helping children understand them.

Quizzical Questions provide lighthearted discussion starters.

Try This! Suggests brief, age-appropriate activities for children

Hector was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he currently resides with his wife Silvana and daughter, Micaela. He had initially studied to become a lawyer but found his true passion was illustration. He began his career as a graphic designer and then eventually developed into an illustrator. Hector published his first illustration in Argentina at age 19. His work has appeared in advertising campaigns, magazines, newspapers and textbooks in several countries including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico. In 2002, Hector decided to pursue the American market and during his first visit to NY, he landed a series of books for Scholastic. While not illustrating, Hector enjoys playing soccer and perfecting his tango.