Matthews, Caitlín. Fireside Stories: Tales for a Winter’s Eve. Illustrated by Helen Cann. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books, 2007. 96 p. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-84686-065-2.

Caitlín Matthews tells these winter tales from Scotland, Russia, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Canada with fluency and passion. Helen Cann’s watercolor and mixed media illustrations stunningly enhance each story. However, of the eight stories, only one is Jewish—“The Cantor of the Trees” (from: The Secret Weapon and Other Stories of Faith and Valor, selected, translated and edited by Azriel Eisenberg and Leah Ain Globe, Soncino Press, 1966.) Highly recommended for public libraries, but an optional purchase for community or synagogue libraries.