The PJ Library

The PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon FoundationThe Harold Grinspoon Foundation official site,a national Jewish non-profit organization based in West Springfield, Massachusetts. It was created in December 2005 Pajama Time, JTNews April 17, 2009. as an outreach program for Jewish families with young children. Modeled after Dolly Parton's Imagination LibraryImagination Library official website program, The PJ Library sends out free, age-appropriate Jewish children's books and music to young Jewish children on a monthly basisPJ Library: Giving Books to the People of the Book, One Family at a Time,San Diego Jewish Journal February 1, 2009.
==Distribution and Book Selection==
As of June 2009, The PJ Library is available in more than 110 communities in the United States and Canada and over 50,000 children receive a PJ Library book or CD each month. Books and music are available for children between 6 months and 8 years of age Family Receives 500,000th Book from Harold Grinspoon Foundation's PJ Library,MassLive May 6, 2009, depending on the available funding in each community.
Children subscribed to The PJ Library receive age-appropriate books highlighting Jewish holidays, values, Bible stories, and folklore. All books are especially selected to engage a broad spectrum of Jewish families.
==National Reception==
The PJ Library was selected as one of the Slingshot 08/09 Resource Guide's "50 most inspiring and innovative organizations, projects, and programs in the North American Jewish community today"Slingshot official website. On April 2009, Harold Grinspoon, president and founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, received the Sidney Shapiro Tzedakah Award for his work in Jewish philanthropy, including the founding of The PJ LibraryJewish Funders Network presents awards, Philanthropy Journal April 7, 2009.
==Notable books distributed by The PJ LibraryThe PJ Library: Books and Music==
*Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis, Illus. by Dušan Petričić (Kids Can Press, 2003 Sydney Taylor Book AwardThe Association of Jewish Libraries: Sydney Taylor Book Awards)
*Chicken Man by Michelle Edwards (Junebug Books, 1992 National Jewish Book AwardJewish Book Council, National Jewish Book Awards-Winners List)
*Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky, Illus. by Greg Harlin (Dutton Children's Books, 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Award)
*The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (Aladdin Paperbacks, 1988 Sydney Taylor Book Award)
*Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback (Viking Press, 2000 Caldecott MedalAmerican Library Association, Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present)
*When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, Illus. by Patrick James Lynch (Candlewick Press, 1997 Kate Greenaway MedalThe CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, Full List of Winners)
*Noah's Ark by Peter Spier (Dragonfly Books, 1978 Caldecott Medal, 1978 Lewis Carroll Shelf AwardLiteratureplace.com Award Winning Booklists for the best in Children's Literature, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, 1982 National Book AwardThe National Book Awards, Winners and Finalists, Since 1950, 1978 Christopher AwardLibrary Thing, Book Awards: Christopher Award)
*The Bedtime Sh'ma by Sarah Gershman, Illus. by Kristina Swarner (EKS Publishing, 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Award)
*The Always Prayer Shawl by Sheldon Oberman, Illus. by Ted Lewin (Boyds Mills Press, 1994 Sydney Taylor Book Award, 1994 National Jewish Book Award)
*Gershon's Monster by Eric Kimmel, Illus. by Jon J. Muth (Scholastic Press, 2000 Sydney Taylor Book Award)
*Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky, Illus. by Kevin Hawkes (Voyager Books, 1997 National Jewish Book Award)
==External links==
* The PJ Library (official site)
* Harold Grinspoon Foundation (official site)
* Kar-Ben Publishing books distributed by The PJ Library
* The PJ Library Facebook Group
* Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (official site)
==References==
Category:Non-profit organizations
Category:Jewish youth organizations
Category:Children's literature
Category:Religious literature
Category:Jewish music