This is a really beautiful book. Wonderfully written, memorable sentiments regarding the challenges and rewards of parenthood. Despite mentioning the Torah in the description, above, I did not expect as much focus on religion and her Jewish faith; that alone comprised at least half of the book. However, despite the fact that I am a Christian and not Jewish, I loved how she returned to her religion and faith, over and over. It was inspiring to me, in my own spiritual walk, as she frequently references the Old Testament, which I'm familiar with. This book serves as a reminder to continually reframe your life, your situation, your vocation as a parent, by looking beyond yourself. As a mother of two boys, I found myself relating to her again and again throughout her parenthood journey.

Books, religion, parenting, all together - highly recommended if you like all of those topics. I loved this book and will definitely read it again - I received an ARC, but plan to purchase this and annotate it when it's released. ❤️

I will start with acknowledging that not everyone will love it. It has a lot of discussion of faith and religion so if people are not into that, they won't like it. I am a person of faith and value scripture as well as reading all kinds of books for myself and my kids, so I loved it! Ilana is so insightful in so many ways that it was this mix of "oh I love those kid books" to "oh man I never made any of these connections but I see it!" It both took me down memory lane with classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Sandra Boynton favorites, and onto the fantasy books that stole our hearts like Harry Potter. I was amazed at how I could relate to those books, wanting alone time to read as a mom, wanting to pass down the love/respect for books to my kids, and seeing the beauty of each book's messages to apply to our own lives.

There were also messages of the sacrifices of motherhood and that women with careers just like their husbands make, and while it was a bit long, I enjoyed the ride! For others like me that want to be deeper in scripture while balancing it with a love for reading other "mainstream" books with our kids, this hits just right.

Thank you for my ARC NetGalley!

A deeply personal and insightful exploration of faith and family, woven through the act of reading. Kurshan illuminates how the Torah and Jewish tradition provide a framework for understanding life's complexities, emphasizing that literacy is not merely a skill, but a pathway to the sacred. She beautifully illustrates how repetitive acts, like reading familiar stories or reciting prayers, can foster a connection to the divine and to family members.

Kurshan's reflections on parenting are particularly poignant. The book is a testament to the power of shared stories, from board books to biblical narratives, in shaping a family's identity. Reading to a child and teaching them to read is an appropriate lens to the broader process of raising a child. Her anecdotes, like rereading board books like one repeats prayers, stealing in some quiet reading while nursing, and reading aloud with her children at night, are a powerful meditation on the ongoing narrative of faith, family, and the enduring power of stories.

I liked this book! It was a nice memoir and it really did highlight the importance of reading, and how it opens so many doors. It could be in your imagination, in the real world, and so many ways in between. I really enjoyed this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Ilana Kurshan’s Children of the Book explores how literature shapes family life, blending Jewish tradition with classic children’s books. As a mother of five in Jerusalem, she shifts from viewing reading as a solitary escape to a means of connection. Structured around the Torah’s five books, the memoir draws parallels between biblical stories and parenting milestones.

While the concept is intriguing, the book leans more toward shallow literary analysis than personal narrative, making it less engaging for a general audience. A deeper emotional thread could have strengthened its impact.

A memoir focused on Kurshan’s family’s reading life through the lens of the Torah.

As a Christian, this was a wonderful way to learn more about Jewish culture and home rituals. As a parent who also loves to read and read to my kids, this evoked so much nostalgia despite still being in the younger age group of children.

Kushan creates beauty and meaning from the silly stories of Sandra Boynton and Dr. Seuss. She leads the reader through mutual family interest in chapter books, relating to the exodus across the wilderness.

This is a very niche story/memoir but I really enjoyed it. I feel convicted to be even more present in my kids’ reading lives. This was lovely.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wonderfully told memoir
Great use of biblical references and sharing the joy of reading
Love the bond between parent and children with books as the healing and learning

In 'Children of the Book', Ilana Kurshan writes a deeply rich, reflective memoir on how literature shapes family life, particularly through the lens of Jewish spirituality and the Torah. As a mother of five, Kurshan reflects on the evolution of her relationship with books—from a solitary literary escape before motherhood to a bridge of connection between herself and her children. Through beautifully woven reflections, she explores how stories serve as both a foundation for family bonds and a means of teaching cultural and spiritual values.

What makes this memoir particularly compelling is its unique perspective on bibliotherapy both as a tool for individual healing and as a shared experience that nurtures relationships and communities. Kurshan’s insights on how reading transforms when experienced alongside her children spoke to me deeply, particularly in her exploration of the joys and bittersweet milestones of watching them develop their own literary lives along the course of their development.

Told through the structure of the Torah 'Children of the Book' is both intimate and affirming for mothers from all cultures. This memoir is an invitation to readers to consider how literature—sacred and secular—becomes a guiding force in our lives. Whether one shares Kurshan’s faith or not, her reflections on the power of storytelling, connection, and parenting through books will affirm anyone who believes in the healing and validating magic of reading.

I loved this! It was such a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the narrative through books and that it was structured around the Torah.