Anna Kofksy, author of a children's book on vaccination, sent me a copy of her book, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, and I was pleasantly surprised by how perfectly it addressed the topic of childhood vaccination. I had initially expected a simplistic, "Bernstein Bear" kind of storybook. It was nothing I had anticipated. It was wise, creative, empathetic. Instead of simply focusing on the importance of vaccines in preventing illness, it points to the important but often-forgotten point in protecting OTHERS who cannot get their immunizations. Judah is afraid of a shot but when his dad points out that his baby sister Hannah is too young for her vaccines and needs Judah to be immunized to prevent passing on diseases to her , Judah agrees. And he cries, but briefly. Tying this sweet children's story to the Chanukah story where Judah is proud to learn that his namesake, Judah Maccabee, was also a brave and strong warrior on behalf of his family and other Jews, is just another layer to this fabulous children's book.

My children love how the sibling relationship is depicted. They delight when Hannah tips the tower Judah built for her. They love the honesty where Judah is scared of the doctor, and how he does cry briefly after his shot. I love the siblings' portrayal as well, and I love the emphasis on vaccination to protect those vulnerable around us. The easy explanation goes a long way in explaining immunology. - Interview with Blima Marcus for AJL News.