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. Bible Story Crafts for Little Hands Ruth Esrig Brinn Illustrations by Sally Springer    In a class of its own is this 80-page book that combines very short capsules of familiar Bible stories with crafts and projects for little hands. Some help will be needed for many of the projects, but they are clever and varied and include several pages of patterns, which can be copied, customized and reused. Most of the materials can be found around the home or school room, so good environmental recycling is part of the creative process. While many children may have made Baby Moses in his basket, you'll also find lots of new puppets, jewelry for Rebecca at the well, a tambourine for Miriam at the Red Sea, a harp and a slingshot for David the shepherd, and sandals for Moses at the burning bush, which will also fit the child making them. 2000, Kar-Ben, Ages 4 to 8, $17.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 1-58013-064-X Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays Gilda Berger Peter Catalanotto    In a very personal introduction, Berger explains why she decided to create this holiday book. She tells readers that her family loves to celebrate and that books are very much a part of this celebrating. However, she couldn't always find something that was appropriate as a holiday reading. Thus, she has retold these stories and organized them based on the Jewish year beginning with Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah and closing with Shavust. To add even more interest, Berger has included information about what is being celebrated and how the celebration takes place plus activities and recipes for the special foods eaten on many of these holidays. The watercolors by Catalanotto include full-page illustrations that frequently play with bright light coming from the sky and smaller illustrations that focus on a special moment in each story. It is a collection that will appeal to those of the Jewish faith and is an excellent resource for those who may have wondered what all this celebrating is about. 1998, Scholastic, Ages 4 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-590-9503-8 Celebrating Passover Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith Photographs by Lawrence Migdale    One of a series of Holiday House books about American celebrations, this book presents a family in Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover. While the text does not provide vastly different information from other nonfiction picture books explaining this holiday, the full color photographs provide a distinctly up-to-date feel. Educators will be comfortable showing these pictures of children dressed in modern clothing, setting the holiday table and cooking with grandparents. The book begins with a picture of Micah, a nine-year-old boy smiling over the handlebars of his bike. The straightforward text says that Micah is a Cincinnati Reds fan and enjoys spring for two reasons--baseball and Passover. This depiction of ordinary American children celebrating a culturally specific holiday sends a positive message. There is a photograph of Micah, eating matzah at school. The caption states that his non-Jewish friends enjoy tasting matzah, too. Other photographs show traditional Passover foods, such as matzah and gefilte fish. The text includes a synopsis of the Passover story and definitions (including pronunciations) of Passover terms. Lines from a Reform Jewish Passover service are quoted. All in all, this book is a useful and attractive explanation of a Jewish holiday. 2000, Holiday House, Ages 8 to 12, $16.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-8234-1420-5 Drawing Your Way through the Jewish Holidays Eleanor Schick    If you've ever wondered whether you could draw anything, or how to do it, try this beginners' book. In simple steps, you'll complete Sabbath candlesticks, a challah and a spice box-and then it's on to the Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur shofar that looks so real you'll forget how easy it was to complete. For Sukkot you'll find a shadow box sukah, to which you can add your own drawn, cutout or stick-on decorations, and a beautiful date palm tree to represent the lulav. Then finish the "fall holidays cycle" by drawing a realistic Torah scroll, with characters that look like the letters of the Law, for Simchat Torah. By this time you'll have learned a lot about dimensions, shading, scale and being an artist, so you'll easily continue on with projects for all the other holidays as they come around through the year. 1997, UAHC Press, Ages 3 to 8, $8.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-8074-0633-3 Eight Days of Hanukkah Harriet Ziefert Pictures by Melinda Levine    Subtitled, "A Holiday Step Book," this colorful introduction to the Jewish Festival of Lights is made up of eight pages, each slightly longer than the preceding one. There's a page and a short rhyme featuring a holiday artifact or activity for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. There's repetition, rhythm, color, energy, and just enough information to satisfy the intended preschool audience. 1997, Viking, Ages 2 to 5, $10.99. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-670-87326-8 The Family Haggadah Ellen Schecter Illustrations by Neil Waldman   This Haggadah is terrific! I wish I'd had it when my children were young; it explains everything more clearly than any other that I've seen. And it gives children specific things to do in preparing for Passover-from cleaning their rooms (don't forget the cookie crumbs - they're Hametz!) to polishing silver, making a cover for the matzah and afikomen, polishing or decorating Elijah's cup and the decorating or creating a new "tradition"-Miriam's cup. It contains water instead of wine. If the kids want to act out the story while the Seder is going on, there's a wonderful summary of the journey that can be read aloud as they pantomime it, or summarized further as they act it out. All the symbols are carefully explained. There's room for everyone-if you're a vegetarian, for example, how about substituting a roasted beet for the traditional shankbone? The music is here for the traditional songs, and the translations are fine. The illustrations are magnificent, as we have learned to expect from Neil Waldman. 1999, Viking, All Ages, $12.99. Reviewer: Judy Silverman The Family Treasury of Jewish Holidays Malka Drucker Illustrated by Nancy Patz    Many books present the Jewish holidays in some form or fashion, but here's one truly worthy of its title. It's a real treasure, not only for the children in the family but for the parents too. A 10-chapter anthology of Jewish holidays, this rich continuum goes well beyond ritual to a wealth of Jewish history and symbolism-a much needed and welcome source for parents. Additionally it includes related songs, recipes, crafts and read-along selections. Many of us who feel wise when it comes to holiday traditions, like making latkes and charosis, fall short at adequately answering all the "whys" that children ask. For instance, why do the rabbi and cantor wear cloth shoes instead of leather on the High Holy Days? Now I have the real answers to this and many other questions. 1994, Little Brown, All Ages, $22.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Bagel ISBN: 0-316-19343-7 Good Yontif: A Picture Book of the Jewish Year Rose Blue Illustrated by Lynne Feldman    This is a picture tour through the Jewish festival year. There is no text save the labeling in the holidays presented both in English and Hebrew. At the back of the book, though, there is an extended explanation of the picture tour describing the holidays and the ways they are celebrated by one young boy and his extended family. For sharing with children in a family or religious school setting, this book has lots of potential in terms of both sharing information and discussion. 1997, Millbrook Press, Ages 3 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-7613-0142-9 A Jewish Holiday ABC Malka Drucker Illustrated by Rita Pocock    Vibrant cut-paper illustrations dominate large pages of this alphabetical introduction to the sights, sounds, and symbols of the Jewish holidays. There is lots of color and life in this alphabet book, but sadly, not much text. The limited text is amplified in the extensive appendix and glossary that conclude this little alphabetic treasure. 1992, Harcourt, Ages 3 to 8, $14.00 and $6.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-15-200482-3 ISBN: 0-15-201366-0 The Jewish Holiday Craft Book Kathy Ross Illustrated by Melinda Levine    This book shows children, and the adults who supervise them, various ways of making decorations, puppets, dolls, and useful objects like candleholders and matzah covers for ten Jewish holidays. The instructions are clear, and the crafts are fun. The lively cut-paper illustrations are crafts in themselves. Some require an adult if younger children are to undertake the projects; most of them use materials that are either in the house or easy to find. 1997, Millbrook, Ages 5 to 12, $12.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0-7613-0175-5 Jonah and the Two Great Fish Mordicai Gerstein Illustrations by Mordicai Gerstein    Did you know that Jonah had not one but two experiences in the belly of a fish? Ancient legend embellishes the well-known tale by pointing out that God, in great mercy, at first provided the prophet with a rather comfortable environment within a great fish. When that didn't achieve the desired result of Jonah's bending to his fate and going to Nineveh to foretell its destruction, God was forced to send an even bigger and more dismal fish to finish the job. Richly deep-toned oils on vellum paintings lend majesty to one of the world's favorite stories. 1997, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Children, Ages 5 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-689-81373-2 Jonah and the Whale Illustrated by Julie Downing    The story of Jonah's disobedience to God is told on a level that toddlers can easily understand in this mini board book. The soft watercolor illustrations show Jonah trying to escape, but ending up inside the belly of a whale where he promises to obey God. Parents can flesh the basic story out, but the essence is there in an agreeable little package. 1997, DK, Ages 18 mo. to 4, $2.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7894-2203-4 Joseph's Colorful Coat Illustrated by Julie Downing    The story of the Joseph who is hated by his brothers and sold into slavery is told on a level that toddlers can easily understand in this mini board book. The soft watercolor illustrations show and name all of the brothers and how they mistreated Joseph, but in the end he forgave them. Parents can flesh out the basic story, but the essence is there in a delightful little package. 1997, DK, Ages 18 mo. to 4, $2.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7894-2205-0 The Kids' Catalog of Passover: A Worldwide Celebration of Stories, Songs, Customs, Crafts, Food, and Fun Barbara Rush and Cherie Karo Schwartz    Everything you ever wanted to know about Passover, this latest reference book is an invaluable addition to the family bookshelf. The author/compilers have created an easy-flowing style enhanced with a variety of black-and-white illustrations, ranging from photographs and drawings (some of, and by, themselves and their own family members), and fascinating reprints from old Haggadot, books used at the festive Passover ceremony and meal from around the world. I was especially entranced to discover several from the 1928 Eisenstein edition that my parents used when I was a child; my father's with the blue cover and my mother's with the purple cover--a gift from him to her upon their engagement--are still my favorites at my own Seder since they passed into my hands a few years ago. You'll find plenty of basic reference material along with questions and ideas for livening up and broadening understanding of the rituals; music, puzzles, crafts; a wonderful section on Some Newer Exoduses; and a healthy bibliography including tapes as well as lots of books for further discovery. At 226 pages, this is obviously a book to which the whole family can return often, finding new depth each time they turn its pages. 2000, Jewish Publication Society, Ages All, $15.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-8276-0687-7 Milk and Honey: A Year of Jewish Holidays Jane Yolen Illustrated by Louise August    This book is a special delight. Yolen relates stories to accompany the religious significance of each of the holidays. Some are Chasidic, Talmudic, or folktales, but always Ms. Yolen's voice is that of the storyteller. Familiar songs are included along with the music. The paintings add to the charm and beauty of the book. The book begins with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and continues through the year ending with an explanation of the Sabbath. 1996, Putnam, Ages 5 up, $21.95. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman ISBN: 0-399-22652-4 My Jewish Holiday Fun Book Ann D. Koffsky    This softcover book will keep youngsters busy with games, puzzles, crafts and art projects. Among the High Holidays activities for fall are making Rosh Hashana New Year's cards, a memory game, and drawing special foods in your shopping cart. For Yom Kippur there are a choosing game and a puzzle to unravel. Sukkot and Simchat Torah each have two activities, and all the other holidays throughout the year are also represented by innovative activities. 2000, UAHC, Ages 3 to 8, $6.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-8074-0727-5 Night Lights: A Sukkot Story Barbara Diamond Goldin Illustrated by Louise August    Ms. Goldin has written some treasured classics-in-the-making about the Jewish holidays; The World's Birthday and Just Enough is Plenty, for example. While Night Lights about the holiday known as Sukkot may not be in that class, it does inform readers about the origins and practices of this celebration of nature and survival. And while doing so, it also paints a family portrait that is loving and supportive, but not overly sentimental or sweet, 1995, Harcourt Brace, Ages 4 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-15-200536-6 Noah's Ark Lucy Cousins    Lucy Cousin's artwork is delightfully distinctive and well suited to the visual sensibilities of young children. Her characteristic solid backgrounds showcase the fun ark and numerous animals. This very simple retelling of the Bible story is formatted as a board book for the smallest children. The original edition received Best Book of the Year Awards from Parents and Parenting magazines. 1997 (orig. 1993), Candlewick, Ages 1 to 3, $15.99, $5.99, $4.99 and $6.99. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 0-56402-213-7 ISBN: 0-56402-215-2 ISBN: 1-56402-515-2 ISBN: 0-7636-0250-7 On Passover Cathy Goldberg Fishman Illustrations by Melanie W. Hall    A young girl hears her father singing a Passover song, and soon the whole family is preparing for the celebration. Mother, Father, Grandmother, Brother, and Sister good-naturedly answer questions the youngest member of the family asks every year. In the process, the reader learns how and why Jews celebrate Passover. While there is no plot, the narrative is wrapped in the warmth of family cohesiveness, giving the expository text a cozy dimension. The most lyrical lines come when the narrator discusses the holiday in terms of her five senses, describing what she can see, taste, touch, smell, and hear. The brilliant illustrations, rendered in various shades of green and purple, are engaging and creative. Vegetables float above a steaming pot opposite the page that describes the smell of Grandmother's Passover cooking. The Israelites walk across the desert behind a picture of three sisters holding a plate of matzah. This book is one in a series of books about the Jewish holidays by the same author and illustrator. Readers and educators in search of introductory information about Passover traditions and customs will be pleased with this attractive book. A glossary completes the package. 2000 (orig. 1997), Aladdin Paperbacks, Ages 5 to 10, $16.00 and $5.99. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-689-80528-4 ISBN: 0-689-83264-8 On Purim Cathy Goldberg Fishman Illustrations 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, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-689-82392-4 On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Cathy Goldberg Fishman Illustrations by Melanie W. Hall    More than just a description of the Jewish New Year holidays, this book tells the story of one family's celebration through the eyes of the youngest daughter. It is this young narrator who tells not only about her family's rituals and their religious significance; but also of her feelings about the celebrations and how they help bring her closer to God. The sepia tone collage illustrations match the mood of the book perfectly and somehow provide a comforting sense of universality to this thorough description of one people's important holiday. The appended glossary will help readers of all ages decode and understand the unfamiliar Hebrew words used in the text. 1997, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-689-80526-8 A Picture Book of Jewish Holidays David A. Adler Illustrated by Linda Heller    Beginning with a Jewish calandar which is based on the moon and comparing it to the Julian calendar, readers understand why the dates of Jewish holidays can vary so much each year. That said, the book begins with the Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah and ends with Tishah Be-Av. It also mentions six other holidays and includes a glossary. The book is light on facts as the author notes in the opening, but filled with the feeling and emotions that these holidays evoke. The soft pen and ink illustrations with watercolor washes convey scenes of families celebrating. 1981, Holiday House, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-8234-0396-3 Sharing Blessings Rahel Musleah and Rabbi Michael Klayman Illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young    Rahel Musleah and Rabbi Michael Klayman's Sharing Blessings talks about the meaning of the Jewish holidays in a different way from most other books. It deals with a real family with real children who sometimes misbehave and often don't understand. David and Ilana's parents are real, too, and their impatience with misbehavior is understandable. Their patience in explaining life's quirks and ironies is something that parents reading the book aloud will be able to understand and try to imitate. It includes hints to help make the holidays more meaningful. 1997, Jewish Lights Publishing, Ages 6 to 9, $18.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 1-879045-71-0 Sound the Shofar! A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Leslie Kimmelman Pictures by John Himmelman    In this easy to understand story, a family is preparing to celebrate the Days of Awe (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). All of the symbols and the meaning of the holiday ( a time to reflect on ones actions of the past year and hopes and prayers for a happy next year) are clearly explained. Uncle Jake practices blowing the shofar, because he has been selected to blow it at the beginning of the New Year and at the conclusion of the holiday. A good introduction for young children with scenes and character that they will be able to relate to. 1998, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $12.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-027501-4 The Story of Shabbat Molly Cone Illustrations by Emily Lisker    In poetic prose, Cone explains that a Jew's observance of the Fourth Commandment is a way of making freedom a permanent part of their lives. A person who works continually without rest is a slave. The narrative covers the Egyptian enslavement of the Jews, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the observance of the Sabbath throughout history. In medieval Europe, the Jews ate dark bread all week long. Shabbat was honored with the white braided bread known as challah. Cone intertwines the history of Shabbat with Jewish folklore about Shabbat. A description of home observance is included. This lovely book is far richer than the many primers of Jewish religion available on the market. HarperCollins performed a service by re-issuing this text originally published in 1966 under the title, The Jewish Sabbath. Lisker's acrylic illustrations are deeply-hued and multi-culturally balanced. The pages are attractively laid out with horizontal column borders. Readers will come away from this book with an embodied understanding of the Jewish Sabbath. 2000 (orig. 1966), HarperCollins, Ages 6 to 10, $14.95. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf ISBN: 0-06-027944-3 Tikvah Means Hope Patricia Polacco    Polacco's Tikvah Means Hope pays homage to the miracle of brotherhood she witnessed in Oakland's handling of two major catastrophes. The story is set during Sukkoth (a Jewish fall holiday that remembers desert wanderings and the joy of harvest) and placed against the background of the Oakland fire. Amid the fire's devastation, comes the miracle of life and the uniting of people. 1994, Doubleday, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95 and $5.99. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-385-32059-0 ISBN: 0-440-41229-3 The Uninvited Guest and Other Jewish Holiday Tales Nina Jaffe Illustrated by Elivia Savadier    My favorite new storybook describes six holidays from Rosh Hashanah to Passover as well as the Sabbath. This book honors Judaism by placing Hanukkah in the context of other holidays and choosing stories that stand for the spirit of each celebration. The author honors her ancestry with the distinctiveness of her tale telling and the diverse sources she represents. 1993, Scholastic, Inc., Ages 10 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-590-44653-3 Why on This Night? : A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration Rahel Musleah Illustrations by Louise August    A new and unusually beautiful addition to the many Haggadot available to enhance the Passover Seder celebration, this sturdy volume gets high marks for including transliteration of the Hebrew into English letters, along with the traditional Hebrew and its English translation. It's also strong on encouraging imagination to play a part in the home service--"Imagine getting straight A's…or scoring the winning goal. You'd feel like telling the whole world how hard you worked, how you didn't know what would happen until the last moment, how you felt like flying above the rooftops and shouting, 'I did it!'" That's why we retell the Exodus from Egypt, year after year, Seder after Seder. Many new ideas are introduced to involve children and keep the rituals fresh and relevant, including some familiar and some very non-traditional songs, such as one about Moses to the tune of B-I-N-G-O. The pictures are exuberant and plentiful, done in a "combination of lino cuts printed in oil on rice paper with added multimedia treatments," the publisher notes are quite striking and attention getting. Although not inexpensive, this book should be a favorite for pre-Passover planning as well as for keeping children occupied and giving them chances to lead, improvise and read on their own if the adults are reciting long passages in the traditional Hebrew during the actual Seder. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Ages All, $24.95 and $12.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 0-689-81356-2 ISBN: 0-689-83313-X The World's Birthday: A Rosh Hashanah Story Barbara Diamond Goldin Illustrated by Jeannette Winter    This gentle tale celebrates one family's welcoming of the Jewish New Year. Goldin writes warmly about this family, their traditions (both old and new), their teamwork, and cooperation. That she manages to do all of this while depicting her characters as both individual and universal is a tribute to her skills as a writer and to the power of her story. 1995 (orig. 1990), Harcourt, Ages 4 to 10, $14.00 and $5.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-15-299648-6 ISBN: 0-15-200045-3 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 09/22/2000.