PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

One of Marion’s kids is getting ready for her Bat-Mitzvah, but she’s so nervous. The kids are there to help – along with special guests Cinderella and Prince Charming. For more about preparing to have a bar or bat mitzvah, head to pjlibrary.org/blog for expert advice and tips from Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal.    Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library   Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson...

Blue is feeling a little let down by their friends this week – can a trip to Mashal, and a chat with Queenie and Mr. Saifair help?   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library   Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson  Production:  Executive Producer: Alli Thresher  Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala  Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studio...

You know her, you love her – she's Marion, the not-so-old woman who used to live in a shoe. Sometimes she still does... mostly she lives in a giant pumpkin with her many MANY children. Season 5 has a special surprise in store for our friend Marion, so let’s take a walk down memory lane through some of her most memorable episodes. Enjoy!     And don’t forget to leave PJ Library Presents: Beyond the...

Rules are important – but are they fixed? Are there ever circumstances where a rule can or should be broken? Are there ways to reinterpret rules, even if they’ve been around for a very long time? The kids explore these questions with Queenie, Golem, and… another Golem?!     Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library   Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson  Production:  Executive Producer:...

Chag Sameach! Enjoy a Hanukkah gift from PJ Library: a curated playlist of stories just for you. Whether you enjoy these on the way to a gathering with friends or snuggled up enjoying the light of the candles, we wish all of our listeners a wonderful Hanukkah. For more Hanukkah fun, download our free guide,  A Time to Hope or visit pjlibrary.org/hanukkah . Episode Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a...

November is Mizrahi Heritage Month - celebrating the culture and customs of Mizrahi Jews - those with heritage from around the Middle East, Southwest Asia and North Africa. In this playlist, listeners will attend a Persian Passover, celebrate Chag Habanot with the mermaids of Mashal, and prepare a special dish for Shabbat. To learn more and to find books featuring Mizrahi characters and stories, v...

Hi listeners! While the Beyond the Bookcase team works on the second half of Season 5, we have a very special bonus episode: a chat with a real-life monster expert! Join Golem and producer Alli as they sit down with Jack Zaientz from JewishMonsterHunting.com .    If your children are into monsters, magic, and folklore, this episode features a creative look into the background of some of the creatu...

It's Sukkot in Mashal - what could be more fun? Join Miri and Micah as they are welcomed into the community sukkah by Zev, Farmer Serach, and some very boisterous little piggies. To learn all about sukkot - and figure out how to build your very own teeny tiny sukkah like Miri and Micah, head to pjlibrary.org/sukkot . Credits:  Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library. Production: Executi...

Hi Listeners, Did you know that it’s almost time for Rosh Hashanah ? The Beyond the Bookcase team sends your family wishes for a High Holiday season and new year full of love, health, happiness, and (of course) great Jewish stories – just like the Rosh Hashanah-themed ones in this playlist. For more ideas - and to download our free holiday guide, visit pjlibrary.org/RoshHashanah    Shanah Tovah! C...

Evie and Jacob are getting on each other's nerves--to save their friendship, Auntie PJ sends the kids on an errand to Mashal. Come along as Mr. Saifair, Golem, and special guest, Dafi Saifair, help the kids make amends, and return to their best selves in the new year.  Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher Writers: Petey Gibson an...

The kids pop over to Mashal to deliver some Rosh Hashanah cards (and try to cheer up Jacob). While Mama Bear and Mary Quite Contrary prepare for a seder, the kids learn all about the simanim, symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah, and receive some perfect advice for starting the year off right. Credits Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher Writ...

Welcome back listeners! Today Chicken Little has a feeling, Bubbe has a vision, and Snow White has a handy solution. Join the crew as we learn about the mitzvah of visiting the sick in the Season 5 Premiere of Beyond the Bookcase.  Beyond the Bookcase is a production of  PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson Audio editing, mixing, mastering, a...

Beyond the Bookcase will return with new episodes this August! For now, enjoy a special note from Golem, a listener shoutout, and a playlist of our clay protector's favorite stories.  For full cast information and credits, please go to pjlibrary.org/podcast

In honor of National Storytelling Month, the PJ Library team has put together a small selection of "stories for another time" from Beyond the Bookcase seasons 4 and 5. Enjoy!

It's time for Passover! Settle in for a playlist full of stories featuring Passover traditions from all around the world.  In Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast we’ll visit Humpty Dumpty as he prepares to host the seder for the first time. Next we'll Chase Joha Through Passover to see how families all over celebrate and get ready for Passover. And finally, we’ll settle down for a lovely Passover...

Prince Charming and Cinderella’s wedding brings a fairytale ending for season 4! Or at least it might. The two royals come from very different backgrounds and can’t seem to agree on what traditions, customs, and creatures to include in the ceremony. They’ll need their friends (including a shockingly revealed rabbi) to help figure out what’s most important.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a prod...

Lag B’Omer celebrations are starting in Mashal. With bonfires, treats, a parade, and even a wedding in the works, Rapunzel still isn’t feeling festive. After getting tangled in a few too many messes, her extra-long hair is feeling like a real drag. Auntie PJ and other friends will try to help Rapunzel trim down her stress with a Lag B’Omer tradition.   Credits   Beyond the Bookcase is a production...

Auntie PJ and Elijah’s treasure hunt gets sticky, and not just because of their doughnut-smeared map. It’s almost time for Shabbat and they need to pause their search — not to start resting right away, but to help the woman who lives in a shoe. You see, she has so many children but nowhere to get them a challah for a peaceful sabbath. Who knew Golem’s got bread-braiding skills?   Credits Beyond th...

Bubbe and Zev the wolf are having a blast as roommates. They’ve had music, dancing, and pre-Shabbat shindigs, but there hasn’t been room in their budget to fill their bellies on Friday nights. When neither of them is able to earn enough dough to surprise the other with challah, their kind acts may be just the ingredients they need for a fresh-baked miracle. An update on a classic Jewish folk tale....

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:...