About the Book

"This heartwarming story shows love for a baby through rhymes peppered with Yiddish words and playful jokes. . ." Booklist

With sweet gestures for every part of the body—like a kiss on the keppie and a boop on the nose—Mazel Toes! is a heartfelt love letter from parent to child. Author Audrey Barbakoff, a Jewish mother and educator, infuses each verse with cultural warmth and connection, while Annita Soble’s cozy illustrations honor the strength and diversity of Jewish families, from historic shtetls to modern-day homes.

Why Families Are Falling in Love with Mazel Toes!:

  • Jewish Family Celebration: A joyful way to introduce babies to Jewish culture, love, and tradition.
  • Interactive and Playful: Encourages bonding through gestures like smooches, tickles, and cuddles.
  • Yiddish with Love: Sprinkles in gentle Yiddish words, with a helpful glossary for learning and sharing.
  • Perfect for Gifting: Ideal for baby showers, brises, namings, or welcoming any Jewish newborn.

Whether for bedtime snuggles or daytime play, Mazel Toes! is a warm embrace in book form—a celebration of tradition, language, and the boundless love between parent and child.

Constance Lombardo

author of Itty Bitty Betty Blob Makes a Splash

Mazel Toes is as irresistible as the babies it celebrates! With a generous sprinkling of Yiddish, charming rhymes, and beautiful illustrations, this sweet multi-generation-spanning book is a satisfying read-aloud and the perfect gift for any new parent or grandparent.

Ann Diament Koffsky

author of MY SHOFAR

"Full of bouncy rhyme that’s sprinkled with Yiddish and humor, Mazel Toes is a read-aloud parents and kids will adore."

Ilana R. Wieder

author of SHIRA THE SINGING PUPPY

"Inclusive as it is diverse, MAZEL TOES sprinkles warmth, love and yiddish words throughout this adorable board book on the many ways we welcome a new baby home."

Leslie Kimmelman

author of Everybody Says Shalom (a Sydney Taylor Honor Book)

Adorable! A rhyming board book homage to babies, replete with Yiddish words. Totally adorable, totally inclusive, as delicious as a newborn!

Meet the Author

Audrey Barbakoff is a librarian, educator, and entrepreneur. She holds a doctor of education and a master of library and information science. As a Jewish mother, she is passionate about sharing the vibrancy of Jewish humor, languages, and stories with the next generation. Audrey lives with her husband, two children, and chickens on an island in Puget Sound. Though she has written several professional development books for librarians, this is her debut picture book.

Meet the Illustrator

Annita Soble is a multidisciplinary artist with over fifteen years of experience in illustration, animation, and art direction. She believes that inspiration can come from anywhere which is why she likes to dabble in many things including ceramics, fiber arts, computer programming, and bread baking. She lives in Brooklyn NY with her husband and five kids.

Readers Are Saying