Shofars, apples and honey, place with pomegranates, couscous and pumpkins. The new crop of children’s books for high holy days opens up a world beyond the beloved traditional symbols of the New Year. The tasty and engaging reads featured here will take families from the kitchen to the bedroom to the sukkah.
“What a Way to Start a New Year!” by award-winning author Jacqueline Jules! is a light and authentic story for Rosh Hashanah that reflects the diversity of today’s Jewish families and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In the opening pages, a perky girl eats a slice of pizza in her family’s new home, which is filled with unwrapped boxes. His family, including two younger brothers, has just moved to a new town. Although her father is not Jewish, he likes to celebrate the main holy days. But how will they observe the New Year, our storyteller wonders worriedly.
When they venture to their old neighborhood to share a traditional Rosh Hashanah meal with their friends, one plan after another goes wrong. “What a way to start a new year!” they sigh after every misadventure.
Things start to look up when one of Dad’s co-workers invites them to synagogue services. The prayers and songs are familiar, but the children still feel out of place because they don’t recognize anyone.
Finally, they are invited to share Rosh Hashanah dinner with new friends. “What a wonderful way to start a new year!” exclaims the girl.
Judy Stead’s brightly colored, cartoon-like illustrations bring the story to life.
A note from the author reminds parents that while starting out in a new home or school can be difficult, it is made easier by generous hosts. She explains the mitzvah of hashnasat orchim, welcoming guests.
In “A Watermelon in the Sukkah” by Sylvia A. and Shannan Rouss, decorating a Jewish school’s sukkah gets inventive when Michael wants to hang his favorite fruit, a watermelon, from the roof. All the usual kids’ ideas – think tape and string – fall flat. Michael’s teamwork and creative thinking save the day. A brief note from the author explains the party.
Ann Iosa’s gold, green and purple illustrations convey children’s excitement and disappointment with lively action that will entertain young children.
A delightful chapter book that was released earlier this year, “Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too!)” is a story of friendship between new neighbors. Author Leslie Kimmelman tells five stories about the daily ups and downs between two Jewish friends and a younger brother. Kimmelman’s format and light, endearing touch evoke James Marshall’s classic “George and Martha” series, or Arnold Lobel’s beloved “Frog and Toad” series.
The set’s latest story, titled ‘I’m Sorry Day’, will have kids laughing with Sam and Charlie even as it opens up a conversation about the difficult subject of apologies and forgiveness. Children of all faiths and walks of life will have fun with these memorable stories and discover the meaning of Yom Kippur, the holiday of forgiveness.
In Vivian Newman’s “Tikkun Olam Ted,” a little boy named Ted spends his days Sunday through Friday doing great things to make the world kinder and better. On Shabbat he rests, dreaming of tikkun olam, the repairing of the world.
“Tikkun Olam Ted” is an animated toddler book with colorful illustrations that will engage the youngest. Older children can be inspired by simple and fun ways to help at home or in the world.
“What a way to start a new year! A Rosh Hashanah Story” by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Judy Stead (Kar-Ben, $16.95 hardcover, $7.95 paperback, ages 3-8)
“A Watermelon in the Sukkah” by Sylvia A. Rouss and Shannan Rouss, illustrated by Ann Iosa
(Kar-Ben, $17.95 hardcover, $7.95 paperback, ages 3-8)
“Sam and Charlie (and Sam too!)” by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Stefano Tambellini
(Albert Whitman, $13.99, also available on Kindle, ages 6-8)
“Tikun Olam Ted” by Vivian Newman, illustrated by Steve Mack (Kar-Ben, $5.95 hardback, also available as an eBook, ages 1-4)