3 minute read
Meet the Rosen family
PJ Library Family Spotlight
By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator
Q: Tell me about the Rosen family.
A: We are Alex and Jessica. We have two children, Ella (9) and Sydney (7). Our family has resided in Naples for the last nine years.
Q: What do you think about the quality of PJ Library books?
A: Both kids get excited to open their PJ Library envelopes. We have loved several of the picture books as the girls have grown up. The quality is great! We love that the books include Jewish themes, are fun to read and make it into our regular book rotation.
Photo credit: Ella Photography, Val Newell
Q: What are some of the family’s favorite PJ Library books?
A: That’s a tough question for us! So many PJ Library books are special to us for different reasons. But if we must narrow it down, we decided on three.
Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Ella and Sydney love “Tea with Zayde” by Barney Saltzberg. The girls call Jessica’s Father Zayde, so it’s special because there aren’t too many stories with Zayde in the title.
Jessica went to elementary school with the author of “No Baths at Camp” by Tamar Fox, so we are partial to that one, too!
Written by Tamar Fox; Illustrated by Natalia Vasquez
As a speech therapist, Jessica often uses “I Can Help” by David Hyde Costello with her students. It was a favorite with the kids when they were younger, and she has since integrated it into her work.
Written and illustrated by David Hyde Costello
Q: Are you involved in the Jewish community in Naples? If so, how?
A: We are members of Temple Shalom, where our kids attend Sunday School. Jessica is on the board and teaches the sixth grade at YeSH. We do enjoy events at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, like the Matzah Ball and the PJ Library playdates.
Q: A lot of parents say they feel PJ books help them raise good kids. Do you feel that way? Please explain.
A: We do think PJ library books help us raise good kids because they are driven by our Jewish values. Overall, they are a wonderful tool to help children learn about being Jewish with doing Mitzvot as a central part of that.
They also help reinforce a love of reading and the value of family time, especially when the kids were younger, and we sat and read them together before bedtime.
In Sydney’s own words “I love reading books so so so much!” Thank you, PJ Library, for your part in giving her that gift!
If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a PJ Library Spotlight family, please let us know! Email Alicia Feldman at programs@jewishnaples.org.
Follow us on Facebook @PJ LibraryNaplesFL.
