Jewish Holidays The Jewish day begins at sunset, and the start of Jewish holidays follows a 24-hour, night-day schedule. Generally the holidays are marked by prayer, Torah readings, family meals and special holiday foods. This fall brings Rosh Hashanah (September 30), which is the start of the Jewish year. It is the birthday of the world and a time when God recalls the actions of people. It begins the period call "teshuvah" a time of repentance. Yom Kippur (October 9) is the Day of Atonement and it is the holiest and most solemn holiday. The story of Jonah is most appropriate since it focuses on repentance. Sukkot celebrates the bounty of God and also commemorates the Jews successful journey through the desert after fleeing from slavery in Egypt.. Hanukkah it is not included here and is treated separately. A selection of books about the holidays and stories appropriate to read during these holidays are listed below. HANUKKAH Hanukkah Crafts Karen E. Bledsoe    This craft book for children is unusual in that it is actually aimed at children. The recommended age is eight or nine, third and fourth graders, and they could certainly do all the crafts themselves, without asking for any adult help. I would extend the range to ages eight to 10, because even fifth-graders would enjoy these projects. A mobile, Hanukkah symbol stamps and magnets, cards, ornaments, bookmarks, a key chain, and candy holders--all become doable. The instructions are clearly written, and illustrations are in photographs. The patterns for dreidel and symbols indicate that they should be enlarged, but I don't know if that is necessary. And although it says to "ask an adult to help you trace and cut" the patterns, most eight-year-old could do this alone if they are careful. A reading list, Internet addresses, and an excellent index complete this fun book. Recommended. 2004, Enslow Publishers, $17.95. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Silverman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0766022382 Is It Hanukkah Yet? Nancy Krulik Illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan    This Step 1 Book for pre-schoolers through beginning readers utilizes a variation of "Are we there yet?" to introduce the rudiments of this happy holiday in a most delightful way. It also reinforces the important fact that Jewish holidays begin at sunset the night before the day most calendars name as their beginning date. Meanwhile, the child enjoys the buzz of anticipation as preparations progress, first with her mom, then with arriving grandparents, finally culminating in Daddy's arrival with its illustration of a night sky and the answer "Yes!" to her oft-repeated question. The drawings are a joy, simple and filled with love and excitement any youngster will absorb. 2000, Random, $3.99. Ages 2 to 7. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature).    While a little girl anxiously awaits the start of Hanukkah, she helps her mother polish the menorah, put out the candles, and prepare the latkes. Together they read the story of the Maccabees and the origin of the holiday. Grandma and Grandpa arrive and finally Dad. As the sun goes down, the holiday celebration begins. Words that may be difficult to pronounce are listed in a box opposite the title page. A "Step into Reading" Step 1 book. An opening note to parents explains the goals of each book in the series and the grades and reading levels. 2000, Random House, $11.99 and $3.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-375-80286-X ISBN: 0-375-90286-4 The Stone Lamp : Eight Stories of Hanukkah Through History Karen Hesse Illustrated by Brian Pinkney    Yes, it is a Hanukkah book. And no, it is not just a Hanukkah book. This beautifully designed volume, a picture book for older readers, presents eight vignettes from the long history of a persecuted people, each framed and accompanied by a free verse story told in the first person by a survivor. It's a gripping combination, compelling in its personalization of each sad chapter in Jewish history. Represented are the Crusades and York, England Massacre of 1190; the Burning of the Books by papal order in Paris, 1242; The Inquisition of Spain and Portugal, 1546; the Muslim forced conversions and the False Messiah, Turkey, 1666; the Pogroms of Russia, 1883; Kristallnacht, Austria, 1938; the British return of the ship Exodus to Germany, 1947; and the Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel, 1995. These wrenching tales of tragedy, bravely illustrated in deep pigments by award-winning artist Pinkney, begin with Judah Maccabee's light-filled victory over the Syrians in 164 B.C.E. and end with the uplifting lines, "Sometimes a flame refuses to go out...So burns the Light of the Jewish People. So burn the Lights of Hanukkah." Truly a very special book to add to the portfolio of Newbery Medal winner and MacArthur Fellow Karen Hesse. 2003, Hyperion, $18.99. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0786806192 ISBN: 0786825316 PASSOVER Passover Natalie M. Rosinsky    An introduction to the holiday, with a glossary that defines words like "celebrate," "leavening," "miracles," that may be unfamiliar to beginning readers. The text also gives the pronunciation of Hebrew words. It is an unusual book; I am a synagogue librarian, and we don't often see easy readers about such complicated topics. So this is refreshing. A couple of quibbles, however. The picture of burning the Hometz (leavened things) is almost scary, and the text says nothing about burning--just that it is "disposed of." And "Jewish boys wear skullcaps called yarmulkes (pronounced YAH-mi-kuhs) during Passover"--it's boys and men, traditionally, which the picture shows, but when they are worn is more complicated--it's during the seder, not the entire holiday, or always, not just during the holiday. This could be a fairly good introduction to the holiday, but non-Jewish readers might need some help. Recommended, with reservations. Part of the "Let's See" Series." 2005, Compass Point Books, $19.93. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Judy Silverman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0756507723 The Passover Story Anita Ganeri Illustrated by Rachael Phillips.    Part of a series about Jewish and Christian holidays, this beautifully-illustrated picture book is a very basic history of the Jewish people's trials under the Pharaoh, and their flight from Egypt. Garneri's writing relies on the strength of the story, avoiding unnecessary embellishments, and makes a good read-aloud. It is probably not a good bedtime tale, though, what with gruesome images such as the 10 plagues or the Pharaoh's command to gather up babies and "throw them into the river to drown." Phillips' deceptively simple pictures convey both the dignity and despair of the Jews, and bring to vivid life some old, old miracles. Her illustrations are much less idealized, and therefore much more approachable, than those of many children's religious books. When Moses finally stands on the mountaintop, gazing heavenward with a look that mixes trepidation with devotion, you realize that he was not a saint, but a human being whose faith was tested, and rewarded. A nice bonus is the chapter on modern Passover celebrations, complete with a Passover song and a recipe for charoset. 2004, Smart Apple Media, $22.20. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1583404910 The Secret Seder Doreen Rappaport Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully    During WWII, when Hitler took over France and began deporting Jews to concentration camps, some Jews pretended to be Catholics to escape. Rappaport tells the story of one such family from the point of view of young Jacques. It is the time of the Passover holiday, and Jacques is secretly learning the Four Questions to surprise his father at the Seder. His mother is afraid that it is dangerous for Jacques to go to the hidden Seder, but Jacques reminds her that they had promised his grandfather to celebrate Passover "no matter what." They fearfully avoid Nazi soldiers as they climb through the woods and up the mountain to arrive at a shack where others have gathered, and do their best to go through the ceremony with what they have. They keep the hope and faith of Passover in their hearts as the Seder ends. McCully's somber-toned watercolors tell the visual story that parallels the text. She details the uniformed "black boots," the small-town streets, the roughly dressed Jews, and the candle-lit hovel in which they celebrate the meager holiday ritual. She packs these scenes with the emotions of both fear and hope. More facts and sources of further information on Passover and the Holocaust are included. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, $16.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2005; H. W. Wilson; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 14, 2005; Cahners; United States ISBN: 0-7868-0777-6 This Is the Matzah Abby Levine Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye    A sweet and touching look at Passover told in rhyme and brimming with heart. Max and his sister Ruth experience--along with their extended family--"this night so different from all other nights" during which they share a miraculous story of courage and freedom. The rhyme's cadence make it a great read-aloud, to be enjoyed in the days before the holiday and, perhaps, while waiting for the seder to begin. For non-Jews, the book is a good way to introduce a little multiculturalism into a household, or classroom. (And speaking of multiculturalism--the author has leftovers being used in a dish called "matzah lasagna." Who knew?) Billin-Frye's cartoony illustrations, somewhat reminiscent of the popular "Rug Rats" series, will amuse young readers, especially touches like Ruth pushing a little shopping cart full of matzah, or the children running through the house to search for the afikomen. Taken together, words and pictures connote warmth, tradition and the true enjoyment of a holiday. 2005, Albert Whitman & Company, $15.95. Ages 2 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0807578851 PURIM The Mystery Bear: a Purim Story Leone Adelson Illustrated by Naomi Howland     What a delightful way to honor a joyous holiday, and to educate non-Jews in the bargain. This comical story shows a bear cub waking up early from hibernation, and being drawn by the delightful smell of fruits and nuts and honey into a town where Purim is being celebrated. Since so many townspeople are costumed, the bear is assumed to be a neighbor with a particularly good disguise, and welcomed inside. Mistaken for Bela the tailor, Heshel the herring man or Peshel the pickle seller, the winter-hungry animal stuffs himself even as a little boy keeps insisting that it is a real bear. Howland's illustrations, done in gouache on watercolor paper, fairly prance with the fun of a Purim celebration, during which young and old alike dress up, rattle noisemakers and boo the evil Haman. Since the holiday is not particularly well-known outside the Jewish a community, its origins are explained on the book's last page. 2004, Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0618337253 On Purim Cathy Goldberg Fishman Illustrated by Melanie W. Hall    Everyone knows so much about Purim, our young storyteller shares with us, except about the masks. Why do we wear masks, she wonders, as she constructs her own? The whole family is involved in holiday preparations, acting out the familiar tale as they work on their costumes, bake the hamantashen, stage an impromptu parade through the house, and read the story from the megillah they made in religious school. But nowhere are masks mentioned--and yet we wear them. Even more strange is that nowhere is the name of God mentioned--and yet the hand of God is apparent everywhere in the story. As the child continues to add elements to her mask, she works out some of the connections about why we hide ourselves. The mixed media pictures are full of royal purples and golds, and they suggest the flavor of ancient and exotic climes, except where they're as homey as your own kitchen today. However, the crucial scene of Esther before the King is flawed by the rendering of her kneeling before him to plead for the lives of her people. With so much emphasis placed on Haman's rage because Mordecai would not bow before anyone except the Lord, it is unfortunate that the artist chose to have Esther assume this position. It is regrettable that the editors did not catch this glaring error. Still, it's a nicely done book from an unusual perspective and young children will surely enjoy it. 2000, Atheneum, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Judy Chernak (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0689823924 To view a feature from a previous year, click here. To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free 30 day trial, click here. Last Updated 09/30/2005.