PJ Library Presents: Afternoons With Mimi

The family is getting ready for Passover and Mimi has a very exciting story to share about another seder.

Today's episode features the book Next Year in the White House: Barack Obama’s First Presidential Seder, written by Richard Michelson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, published by Crown Books for Young Readers and PJ Publishing.

Kiddo is so FRUSTRATED! Why is his much younger friend further ahead than he is at school? Mimi shares the story of one of her favorite Jewish heroes with Kiddo with reminders that everyone learns in their own way, on their own time, and that's beautiful.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Ope...

It's a special night- Mimi is having company for Shabbat. Who is coming to visit?

Today's episode features the book Challah from Heaven, written and illustrated by Richard Ungar, published by PJ Publishing.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Aaah! A spider! Kiddo wants Mimi to smush away, but instead she reminds Kiddo about the Jewish value of respecting all living beings.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli Thresher, composed and arranged by Hovav Paller
Performed by Deirdre Wade

Cast:

Kiddo: Percy Blythe

Mimi: Deirdre W...

Sibling relationships can turn into lifelong friendships. Siblings are playmates, companions, and confidantes, and often are the people we turn to first for guidance and support. Follow Kiddo and baby Zee, through the ups, downs, and adventures of building their relationship as brothers and friends. 

Episodes: 

Kiddo Learns a New (Old) Song 

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library. 

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher 

Writer: Alli Thresher 

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Openin...

What do sandwich cookies, Jewish holidays, and Kiddo have in common? A lot of sweetness. Learn all about the Jewish calendar in this episode.

Today's episode features the book Welcome Moon, written and illustrated by Amalia Hoffman, published by PJ Publishing.

Kiddo and Mimi are at the park and for some reason all of the grown ups are excited about a garden they won't even get to enjoy! Mimi shares the story of Honi the Circle Maker and teaches Kiddo a valuable lesson about thinking ahead.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli Thresher, composed a...

Snuggle up and let Kiddo (with a tiny bit of help from Mimi) read you a little something.

Today's episode features the book Challahbaloo

Written by Elizabeth Suneby, illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, and published by PJ Publishing.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli Thresher, composed and arranged by...

Baby Zee is demanding Mimi re-read his favorite book and Kiddo has HAD it! Who wants to hear the same story over and over again? Mimi reminds Kiddo of a very important Jewish tradition celebrating reading (and re-reading) the Torah.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli Thresher, composed and arranged by Hovav Paller

Kiddo is frustrated with his reading assignment--it's so tough and he just wants to quit. Mimi has encouraging words and a very special story to turn things around.

Today's episode features the book Live Your Dream: The Story of a Jewish Basketball All-Star

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli...

Kiddo is out shopping with Mimi when a flyer catches his eye: a movie night! Mimi gently reminds Kiddo that they already have plans. Everyone is getting together for a special family Shabbat. This episode offers wonderful guidance for talking to kids of all ages about keeping commitments while also sharing some beautiful reminders about how special Shabbat is.

Featuring: Fridays are Special, written by Chris Barash, illustrated by Melissa Iwai, and published by PJ Publishing.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Wr...

Kiddo and Zee are staying over at Mimi's but they do NOT want to go to bed. What's a Mimi to do? Maybe the delightful story, Just One More Thing...and Then Bedtime, written and illustrated by Menachem Halberstadt and published by Green Bean Books, can help Kiddo settle down.

Looking for more resources to help your kids settle into bedtime? Check out PJ Library's book page for Just One More Thing...And Then Bedtime.

Just One More Thing... and Then Bedtime is used with permission from Green Bean Books. Find a read along video o...

Kiddo is thrilled to be learning a new language - and he wonders, do the people in his family and community speak multiple languages? Mimi reminds Kiddo that, yes, the Jewish community is full of diversity and together they read a sweet story, ¿Dónde está Shmata? written by Tana Ross and illustrated by Elisa Kleven. You can even follow along with Mimi and Kiddo by looking at the video book on the PJ Library YouTube channel.

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Emma Carls...

Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups on Feelings is a 7-part podcast series created by the Kids Listen community to help kids (and their grownups) explore the wide world of feelings. Each episode pairs two emotions that are often connected, offering original stories, clips, and reflections from across Kids Listen shows.

We're thrilled that PJ Library Presents: Afternoons With Mimi is featured in part 2 of the first mashup about fear and bravery. 

Looking for hands-on ways to explore this theme? Download the Kids Listen Fear & Bravery Activity Guide created by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore.

Today’s episode features the story, The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street, written by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Francesca Carabelli, and published by Kar-Ben. Read with permission from Kar-Ben Publishing, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. 

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Emma Carlson Berne

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by Alli Thresher, composed and arranged by Hovav Paller
Performed by De...

Did you know that May is Jewish American Heritage Month, National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and National Storytelling Month? 

Our team has put together a playlist featuring three original Mimi and Kiddo stories to share this special month. And if you're looking for fabulous books to keep your celebrations and learning going, head to our website, pjlibrary.org to find reading lists and more. 

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, maste...

Today Kiddo is getting a special treat: a video call from Mimi's friend Ciara. Listen in as our special guest, Ciara, teaches Kiddo all about the history and traditions of the Baghdadi Jewish community of India. Want to learn more? Visit Ciara at The Mizrahi Story on Instagram for all sorts of wonderful interviews, archival video footage, and more. 

Episode Cast and Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.
Executive Producer: Alli Thresher
Associate Producer: Elizabeth Korelitz
Writers and Story Editor: Ciara Shalome and Alli Thresher 
Audio editing, mix...

Today's episode is a special collaboration between Afternoons With Mimi and Koala Moon, a cozy bedtime stories and sleep meditations show for children from the team at Sleepiest.

Koko chats with Mimi and Kiddo to learn all about Hanukkah before sharing a very cozy Hanukkah celebration with his good friend Prickles. 

To learn more about Hanukkah, please visit pjlibrary.org/hanukkah

Narrator 🎙 Abbe Opher

Author ✍️ Suzanna Mcloughlin & Alli Thresher

Mimi: Deirdre Wade

Kiddo: Percy Blythe

Kiddo and Mimi's lines edited by Peter Moore at Palace...

A challenging project has Kiddo and his friends frustrated. They need to construct something that can protect an egg for their school’s Egg Drop event, but each friend has tried their own ideas without success. Mimi reads the book Five Brave Knights vs. the Dreadful Dragon, a story about kids facing similar, though fire-breathing, frustration. What can we do when our individual efforts aren’t enough?In Hebrew, the word for “together” (yachad) shares the same root as the word for “individual” (yachid), illustrating how every group is made up of individuals. Your uniqueness is a superpower, but it can be combined wit...

While searching for a game in Mimi’s closet, he finds a trunk full of funny costumes, plus flyers and other memorabilia from old comedy shows. Mimi explains that his great uncle Levi used to be a comedy performer, part of a long line of laughter in the Jewish tradition of finding happiness even in hard times. She shares a few famous names, telling Kiddo about Jewish comedians she’s enjoyed, like Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, and others.   Episode Cast and Credits: Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher, Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Write...

Sure, Kiddo calls his little brother “Zee,” but what is his full name and where does it come from? What makes names so important anyway? Kiddo learns about the Jewish value of Lekol ish yesh shem, the significance of names.   Episode Cast and Credits

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library

The book My Name is Aviva was written by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, and is used with permission from Kar-Ben Publishing, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

  Kiddo wants to go to his friend Noam’s birthday party at the trampoline park, but it’s at the same time as his cousins’ play, and cousin Emilia could really use Kiddo there to calm her nerves. Mimi reads the book Rosie Saves the World which highlights the Jewish value of mutual responsibility. Kiddo knows the trampolines would be a blast, but can he find a bounce in his step from the mitzvah of helping family first?   The book Rosie Saves the World was written by Debbie Herman, illustrated by Tammie Lyon, and is used with permission from Kar-Ben Publishing, a...

Kiddo arrives to find Mimi sewing. She explains that Ms. Jenn left her coat behind when visiting, so Mimi’s giving it some needed repairs. Kiddo is eager to start playing and wants to know why they don’t just bring the coat to Ms. Jenn. Mimi shares a modern version of a classic Jewish story about the importance of not only returning lost items, but caring for them too.   Episode Cast and Credits:   Note: The version of The Lost Chickens folktale in this episode was adapted by Alli Thresher for Radio Chitaika.   Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library...

It’s challah-baking time, but when Kiddo tries to braid the dough, it keeps ending up in a big tangled blob. Mimi knows the power of a good story, so she reads the book An Egg for Shabbat. It’s about a young boy trying to go fetch an egg for his mother. He keeps accidentally breaking egg after egg in different ways, but eventually shows us all that these aren’t failures, just learning steps on the way to success.   The book An Egg for Shabbat was written by Mirik Snir, illustrated by Eleyor Snir, and is used with permission...

No one is born with the knowledge of how to be a kind person. That's something we all learn as we grow. Follow along this week in a playlist of stories as Kiddo, with some help from Mimi, learns valuable lessons about being a good friend and neighbor.

Kiddo needs more space to race!! He really REALLY wants a huge playroom so he can build a giant racetrack for his toy cars. He’ll never be satisfied trying to fit a track on Mimi’s kitchen table. Mimi recounts a Jewish folk tale about a man who really REALLY wishes he had as big a home as his neighbor. A rabbi gives advice that seems totally unhelpful at first, but surprisingly helps the man move to a happier space – without even changing his location. Hopefully Kiddo can shift into that same gear and be on track with appreciating what’s...

This episode features the book, The Rabbi Slurps Spaghetti, written by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by Sharon Davey. It is used with permission from Behrman House, Inc.   Kiddo is pretending to be a grownup, doing what he thinks adults do at work. Inspired by Mimi’s reading of The Rabbi Slurps Spaghetti, Kiddo learns that curiosity is an important Jewish value.   Episode Cast and Credits: Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library. Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher, Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Writer: Emma Carlson Berne Story Editor: Alli Thresher Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Pur...

Kiddo tells Mimi of a rumor that the creepy old house in their neighborhood is occupied by a wizard who has his whole yard booby-trapped! Mimi decides to dispel the myth by bringing Kiddo to the house to meet its owner, her friend, Mr. Johansen. The man is very kind and very much not a wizard. In fact, the only magic comes from Mimi, who transports us all with a new spin on a traditional Jewish folktale about the dangers of lashon hara, Hebrew for evil language or gossip.   Meeting Mimi's friend helps Kiddo learn not to judge people by t...

Kiddo balks at the idea of brushing his teeth, but Mimi cleverly explains that it's a mitzvah, -- commandment or good deed -- which is something he loves. In this episode, she reads, Hillel Takes a Bath, written by Vicki L. Weber and illustrated by John Joven, and used with permission from Behrman House.

Episode Cast and Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher, Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Writers and Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and s...

Earlier today, some friends wouldn’t stop arguing on a bumpy bus ride, and Kiddo is feeling so frustrated about it that his tummy hurts. At Mimi's, Kiddo calms down enough to talk about it, and of course Mimi has the perfect story to share, Aaron the Peacemaker. Mimi always finds a way to give Kiddo the tools to get through rough times.   Episode Credits:   Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.   Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher, Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz Writer and Story Editor: Alli Thresher Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studio...

Happy World Read Aloud Day from all of us here at PJ Library and Afternoons With Mimi. We hope you'll enjoy this lovely, nice and long playlist of Mimi reading your favorite PJ Library storybooks.   The Candlewick Written by Jennifer Rosner Illustrated by Kristina Swarner Published by PJ Publishing   The Chocolate King Written by Michael Leventhal Illustrated by Laura Catalaan Published by Green Bean Books   Benjy's Blanket Written by Miguel Gouveia Illustrated by Raquel Catalina Published by Green Bean Books   Yitzi, the Trusty Tractor Written by Naomi Shulman Illustrated by Shelly Couvillion Published by PJ Publishing   Until the Blueberries Grow Writt...

On the way to get ice cream, Mimi gives money to someone in need. Kiddo wonders why and worries that now they won’t have enough to buy ice cream. Mimi explains the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and the small ways we can find and spread kindness and light.

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Stu...

Kiddo wants to do so many things on his to-do list! But Mimi knows best and reminds Kiddo that it's Shabbat. Time to rest and snuggle up and read their latest PJ Library delivery: Saturdays are Special, written by Chris Barash, illustrated by Abigail Marble, and published by PJ Publishing.  

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening The...

Each Friday evening, families around the world begin the celebration of Shabbat. For many, the evening includes favorite foods, company for dinner, special songs, and blessings. This week, we have a playlist featuring stories all about Shabbat. 

If you like what you hear, be sure to visit our other shows on our PJ Library Presents network. We've got not one, not two, but three special Shabbat playlists!

Kiddo is so bored and there's nothing to do. But Mimi knows that a little creativity can cure any dull day, even when all you have is a paper towel roll. Did you know that creativity and cooperation are both Jewish values? So is being a good friend. To learn more and find picture book recommendations, visit PJLibrary.org/values for more.

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: P...

Right now, you might be on a long car or airplane ride, or maybe you're snuggling in a nice comfy blanket fort. Today we're bringing you a playlist of stories about sharing special family traditions. Enjoy!

What's that beautiful song Mimi is humming as Baby Z naps? Kiddo and Mimi share a snuggle as Mimi tells him all about the famous-and Jewish-Gerswhin brothers. Kiddo and Mimi welcome Baby Z as he wakes up with a beautiful rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me." 

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Lyrics by...

Kiddo just can't put down his game. He's almost at the next level! Mimi reminds Kiddo that Shabbat is near, and it's time to power down and rest. To make things even easier, Mimi just received the perfect story to share. Yitzi, The Trusty Tractor is written by Naomi Shulman, illustrated by Shelley Couvillion, and published by PJ Publishing.

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writer: Alli Thresher

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace o...

While Mimi teaches Kiddo how to make a recipe for a party, she points out that this is just one of many traditions being passed down in their family. Kiddo learns that everything from Zee’s tzedakah box to the family’s stories, songs, and even table settings, are part of something much bigger.

Whenever your children learn a family tradition, story, or recipe, that's l'dor v'dor, which is the Hebrew for "from generation to generation." To learn more, visit pjlibrary.org/values

Episode Credits:

Afternoons With Mimi is a production of PJ L...

Premiering this fall -- a new podcast from PJ Library Presents! Radio Chitaika features folk tales, beloved books, and Jewish stories, read aloud in Russian or Ukrainian by talented readers such as Gera Sandler, Marsha Pruss, Angelina Statyeva and more! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.