Look at your floor,. then call Mickey Now carryil4 Mirage Wood Floors by Phillis Gershator, with illustrations by Alexa Ginsburg. Copyright 2004, published by the Jewish Publication Society (www.jewishpub.org). Hardback. 96 pages. $15.95. For little children, there's noth- ing quite so nice as being held in your parent's arms and being read to. - Wise... and Not So Wise is the perfect book for doing just that. This is a collection of stories the author, Phillis Gershator, first heard from her late father-in-law, a rabbi. All are based on midrashic or talmudic tales, and so each offers a lesson of sorts. They also contain bits of magic (like a flying loaf of bread), curious angels, a lot of silliness and plenty of animals. Though most Jewish families are familiar with folktales, Wise ... and Not So Wise features at least one story, or - retelling of a story, that you probably haven't heard. It's nice, too, that the les- sons don't really hit you over the head in an obtrusive fashion. Chances are you'll see them coming, but they're still subtle enough to be enjoyable. Consider, for example, the story of two "wise men" of Athens who meet up with an ugly rabbi. "Is this the famouss wise man of Jerusalem?" they wonder. So they ask him a series of ridiculous questions, to "test his so-called wis- dom." They bring two eggs and want to know if the rabbi can tell the color of the chicken from which the eggs came. They inquire as to whether the rabbi can advise them on how to stop salt from spoiling. They ask how to build a house in the middle of the sky. Then they ask, "Can you tell us what is truly important in life?" The rabbi responds: "Friends are truly important, so make a good friend. You can ask as many questions of a friend as you like and stay up a thou- sand nights together discussing the answers. At the end of each story, the author provides brief information about the source for her material, about the real- life figures who inspired the tale and asks questions young readers will love to discuss. Editor's Note: Jewish Stars: Recommended books with Jewish themes for schools and libraries, is now available on the Web site of the Association of the Jewish Libraries. It is free for downloading at www.jewishlibraries.org. This new, annotated bibliography will enable teachers, librarians and parents to iden- tify recommended books that will help children learn about the Jewish religion, culture and history, as well as about Israel and contemporary Jewish life. The 29-page bibliography includes more than 200 titles and is organized by topic: Basic Judaism and Other Religions; Jewish Biographies; Contemporary Jewish Life; Jewish Folklore; Jewish History; Jewish Holidays; Israel; Jewish Life Cycle Events; and World War II and the Holocaust. Each topic is divided by age level; and a list of Web resources, review publications, conferences and other resources is included. The editors plan to update the bibli- ography annually with new titles, as well as other additions or corrections. The Jewish Stars bibliography is edited by Rachel Kamin, director of the Temple Israel Libraries and Media Center in West Bloomfield. Flooring Warehouse, your manufacturer direct merchant for: • Major name brands in carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate and ceramic tile • 50,000 square foot warehouse of first-quality goods • Convenient delivery and custom installation • Easy access from 1-696 — only 20 minutes from Telegraph Road • Savings on the flooring you want most, when you need it ...or I'll bring the warehouse to you with a free in-home appointment. Call Mickey Alterman! You'll find there's never a sale, just extra low prices every day. ratis Patelt Flooring Warehouse ` We set the floor on prices. 20750 Hoover Road (3 miles south of 1-696) Open Monday through Friday, 9 am. - 5 p.m. and by appointment. Call Mickey at 586-756-2400. nt (51- reet I Can't Believe oIt's Kosher! A British caviar. Bottled water from Norway. A digestive aid from Germany. What's the connection? They're all koSher. Have you ever come across an unusu- al food item that's kosher? Something imported, perhaps, or manufactured in some small town in Idaho? Or maybe you've just learned that your favorite, but little-known, kosher cookie from childhood is still being produced? If so, AppleTree wants to know about it for a future story. Please write and tell us all about your discovery. Include with your letter: #1) The name of the product #2) Where it can be purchased #3) How you discovered the item #4) Your name, complete address and phone number #5) A photo of you with the product, if possible #6) -Your critique of this food/drink. Is it tasty, just so-so, pretty awful? All items must have some kind of kosher certification. If you're unclear, e-mail eapplebaum@thejewishnews for infor- mation. We Specialize in Medical 4 Dental Suites ofcnsiwoollifrad Assisted Living _077 Q",ve&kw aiwice V d c_i5Aer Orchard Lake Rd. South of Lone Pine Rd. West Bloomfield, Michigan 248.683.1010 J14 4/28 2005 43