Marshall Cavendish, a New York-area publisher of adult trade, reference and children’s books, as well as curriculum and digital research resources, is partnering with The PJ Library, a Jewish literacy program in Massachusetts, to launch a line of Jewish children’s books. The first titles under the new Shofar Books imprint will release this fall; they include The Golem’s Latkes; Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah; Many Days; and One Shabbat.
The PJ Library is a nonprofit program that distributes some 65,000 books each month free to families in the United States and Canada. Half of the cost is paid by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, a Jewish philanthropic organization, which launched The PJ Library in 2005 with a mission of strengthening Jewish identity and encouraging involvement in Jewish life. The other half of the cost is provided by philanthropists, Jewish federations, community centers, and other non-profit organizations in local communities.
Marshall Cavendish is not new to publishing Jewish children’s books, and it has already been selling books to The PJ Library for its program. Under the terms of the new partnership PJ will provide its expertise in Judaica and the Jewish book market, participating in the acquisitions process and offering its seal of approval for the books. In addition to a healthy base of sales through The PJ Library, Shofar Books will be distributed through retail channels and to Jewish libraries and synagogues, according to Margery Cuyler, publisher of Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books, who approached PJ about forming the partnership. She said the imprint will publish four to six books per year.
