Children’s Author Adds Joy to the Season

Barbara Kimmel, children’s book author, will appear at libraries, bookstores, and community events across Atlanta in the days leading up to Chanukah. Her seasonal book, “Hannukah Hippity Hop,” which was featured in the Atlanta Jewish Times in 2024, is back to thrill the young ones. Equally exciting is her advancement into other formats and seasons like Purim and the gold standard, Highlights Magazine, with Fun with a Purpose, featuring her take on Sukkot. Her lively, interactive programs combine story time, songs, and crafts to engage young readers.

Kimmel’s upcoming book, “Purim Possibilities,” follows a child deciding what costume to wear for Purim that best expresses the many parts of themselves.

The book has already received the 2026 Grinspoon Jewish Story Award and will be sent to more than 30,000 three-year-olds across North America as a PJ Library selection for February 2026. The interactive board book includes reusable stickers so children can mix and match costumes.

“I grew up on Colorforms, so I love that PJ is featuring reusable stickers in ‘Purim Possibilities,’” Kimmel said. “Kids can design their own costumes, encouraging creativity and self-expression.”

Kimmel produces short stories for children’s magazines, like High Five. Her Sukkot story, “Backyard Sleepover,” appeared in the October 2025 issue of Highlights. Its cover teases, “Please? I really want a Sukkot sleepover.” She said, “It meant a lot to see Jewish content in a mainstream magazine. This kind of representation helps Jewish children feel seen and gives non-Jewish readers a window into our culture.”

Kimmel’s lively, interactive programs combine story time, songs, and crafts to engage even the youngest readers. Kimmel’s 2025 “Hanukkah Hippity-Hop” schedule includes confirmed events at Barnes & Noble stores, public libraries, and community gatherings throughout metro Atlanta, with additional venues to be announced.

Chanukah begins Sunday evening, Dec. 14. Kimmel’s “Hanukkah Hippity-Hop” is a lively rhyming board book that invites toddlers to move from spinning like dreidels to marching like Maccabees as they learn about Chanukah. The book received glowing reviews from The Horn Book and School Library Journal and was named a Best Jewish Holiday Children’s Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries, which also selected it in their 2024 Holiday Highlights.

Kimmel’s 2025 Chanukah appearances include:

10:30 a.m.., Wednesday, Dec. 10 – Kirkwood Library (Storytime & Craft)
11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17– Sandy Springs Library (Storytime & Craft)

Kimmel and her husband, playwright Hank Kimmel, are active members of The Temple and have three adult children. She said, “Hank is such a supportive partner! During the holiday season, I call him ‘Hanukkah Hank,’ and he assists me at my events. Kids love his playful energy!”

Families can learn more or sign up for free monthly Jewish children’s books at pjlibrary.org.