PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

Who told Mr. Saifair that Rapunzel is a noodle-head? Is it okay to call Shirley an apple tree (when she’s obviously avocado)? And did Prince Charming spread a hairy rumor that he heard from … a mermaid? This wave of gossip is more tangled than a head of uncombed spaghetti.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Produc...

Marion is hosting a gathering for Chag Habanot, the North African Hanukkah festival of daughters. But all the pressure has her being a bit unkind to her friends. Learn all about this holiday plus a valuable lesson about respect and friendship.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story E...

What do BFFs Goldilocks and Baby Bear make for their Shabbat lunch? Why, harissa of course! But what happens when everyone brings the same pot to the kusha (community oven)? A tasting, of course.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Alli Thresher Writer: Jan Schwaid Audio e...

Snow White just wants to host a delightful Rosh Hashanah get together, but the three little kittens and the three little pigs are having one big disagreement. Will they ever forgive each other?   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Alli Thresher Writers: Petey Gibson Audio e...

Purim is a holiday that feels like it's made for families. Traditions include  dressing up , sharing  gift baskets  or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do  tzedakah  and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares  the story  of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation. Experience Puri...

Sorry, but we’re not gonna spoil the season finale right here, so don’t expect this to tell you if the kids catch elusive Joha, save Sofer Shalom, or finally get to hear PJ and Elijah’s long-held secret story. You’ll just have to listen.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor:...

The kids want Auntie PJ and Elijah to finally tell all about their legendary treasure hunt, but the grownups try to skirt the subject with “A Story For Another Time.” This one delves into lovable Zev’s first holiday in Mashal.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibs...

The kids are playing an epic game of pretend in the woods when they’re interrupted by none other than Joha! What’s he up to now?   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Pa...

Passover in Mashal is as enchanting as you’d expect. But who hosts the best seder, Cinderella or Snow White? Follow Auntie PJ and Elijah as they seder-hop through Mashal in this “Story For Another Time.”   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson Writers: Jan Schwaid,...

It’s the Passover episode! Learn about Passover traditions from around the world as the kids continue their globe-trotting search for Joha.   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter...

Each Friday evening, families around the world begin the celebration of Shabbat. For many, the evening includes favorite foods, company for dinner, special songs, and blessings. This week, we have a playlist featuring stories all about Shabbat.  If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our other shows, just search PJ Library to find more Shabbat stories and much more.

The kids enjoy hearing another “Story For Another Time.” This one involves the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Auntie PJ and Elijah collaborate on a tale about collaboration, and how it makes for the perfect Shabbat. They’ll talk about the Jewish value of… upcycling? But it’s unclear if PJ and Elijah will ever talk about treasure.   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ...

A special Hanukkah message from PJ Library. Hanukkah begins in the evening tonight (or, depending on your time zone, may have already started) and runs through December 15, 2023. This year, PJ Library encourages all of our listeners to "share the light" by participating in Project Menorah.  To learn more about Project Menorah, visit www.projectmenorah.com .  Music credits: “Stars in the Night” by...

It's the season of Jewish heroes. Everyone is in the library getting ready for Purim when the kids discover a clue from Joha. Find out where the magic atlas will take them this week, how good PJ’s French accent is, and how many jelly beans Elijah can eat. To learn more about the Jewish holiday of Purim, visit pjlibrary.org/purim .   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Produc...

Right now, you might be on a long car or airplane ride, or maybe you're snuggling in a nice comfy blanket fort. Today we're bringing you a playlist of stories about sharing special family traditions. Enjoy!

New this season, it’s Stories for Another Time. PJ and Elijah regale the kids with an only-partly familiar fairy tale featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming, a High Holidays party, and a new pair of shoes.   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey Gibson Writers: Jan Schwaid,...

Jacob is busy teaching Blue how to land an ollie when his skateboard goes missing. This has to be the work of Joha. Miri, Blue, and Jacob join PJ and Elijah as the game begins. Join them as they try to find Joha, find Jacob’s skateboard, and find out if pizza is allowed in the library.   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Assoc...

Our heroes are back in this world and ready to head home – but there’s someone they don’t recognize with Auntie PJ, and someone else being kind of mysterious! The kids must embark on an epic game of hide and seek to save the library.   Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Story Editor: Petey...

Want to hear the full episode? Just search "Radio Chitaika" wherever you listen to podcasts. Series premieres late October. 

Premiering this fall -- a new podcast from PJ Library Presents! Radio Chitaika features folk tales, beloved books, and Jewish stories, read aloud in Russian or Ukrainian by talented readers such as Gera Sandler, Marsha Pruss, Angelina Statyeva and more! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. 

Welcome to our last summer bonus episode. Today we're (attempting) to catch up with Auntie PJ to ask the hard-hitting questions: Is food allowed in the library? What does Auntie PJ do when she's not at Sofer Shalom? What was she like as a kid? Listen in as we attempt to learn more about our favorite international woman of mystery turned librarian.  Season 3 of PJ Library Presents: Beyond the Bookc...

What has everyone's favorite bookworm been up to since we last heard from him? Find out in today's bonus episode! Have a question for Mr. Saifair, his brother Dafi, or any of our other characters? Leave us a voicemail at pjlibrary.org/podcast.   Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz...

Listen in as we chat with our buddy, the Mayor of Mashal, Golem! What has he been up to lately? Does he have any hobbies? How old is he? All of this and more in today's bonus episode.  Who will we catch up with next? Stay tuned...    Episode Credits: Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Cast: Golem...

Today we're answering questions from you: our listeners! Tune in this summer for bonus content including character interviews, sneak previews, and more. Beyond the Bookcase returns with a new season in the fall.  Want to send us a voicemail? Visit https://tinyurl.com/pjpodcasts to leave one. 

Shavuot is coming up! Learn more about this important -- and super kid-friendly holiday -- with a playlist of episodes about Shavuot from across our network. Visit pjlibrary.org/shavuot for book lists, recipes, and more to help you celebrate your first Shavuot.