Apples & Honey Press; ages baby-age 2<\/p>\n
In this lively story, a playful young elephant with a pink bow tries hard to blow a very loud blast from her shofar, the kid-size version of the ram\u2019s horn blown at synagogues during Rosh Hashanah. Kids will giggle when they discover what\u2019s blocking the sound. Finally, the young elephant can blow a loud tekiah.<\/p>\n
\u2018Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah\u2019<\/p>\n
Sarah Aroeste; illustrations by Maria Mola<\/p>\n
Kar-Ben publishing; ages 2-5<\/p>\n
As fall begins, a young Sephardic girl and her family welcome Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. \u201cAnyada buena, shanah tovah,\u201d she says, using the Ladino holiday greeting. Sarah Aroeste\u2019s rhyming story \u2014 animated with Maria Mola\u2019s colorful illustrations \u2014 is sprinkled with Ladino words, the centuries-old Sephardic language that Aroeste is one of the leading voices bringing to life today. She helps her father bake a golden brown round challah, among the special foods that grace her family\u2019s Sephardic Rosh Hashanah table.<\/p>\n
\u201cKayla and Kugel\u2019s Super Sweet Rosh Hashanah\u201d<\/p>\n
Ann Diament Koffsky<\/p>\n
Apples & Honey Press; ages 2-5<\/p>\n
In the sixth book in a series about a Jewish girl and her canine sidekick, Kayla and Kugel are tasked with getting supplies for Rosh Hashanah. But hijinks ensue when Kugel jumps into the pond where Kayla and her family will carry out the tashlich ritual and otherwise causes mayhem. In the end, the book demonstrates how Rosh Hashanah offers an opportunity for self-improvement.<\/p>\n
\u2018Lily\u2019s Hong Kong Honey Cake\u2019<\/p>\n
\t \u2018Lily\u2019s Hong Kong Honey Cake,\u2019 by Erica Lyons; illustrated by Bonnie Pang. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n Erica Lyons; illustrated by Bonnie Pang<\/p>\n Apples & Honey Press; ages 4-8<\/p>\n In Erica Lyons\u2019 inspiring story of historical fiction, kids follow Lily, as her family flees Nazi rule in Vienna, where they own a bakery popular for their Rosh Hashanah honey cake. As Nazi-rule refugees in Shanghai, they open a bakery where they bake honey cake to welcome in a sweet new year. When they are forced to flee again, they must remain temporarily on the ship in the Hong Kong port along with other Jewish refugees. When Rosh Hashanah arrives, the clever Lily and the ship\u2019s chef improvise with what they have and surprise everyone with loaves of the sweet honey cake. Lyons\u2019 narrative is brought to life in Pang\u2019s illustrations that reflect all of the places Lily learns to call home. Back pages include the history of Jews in Shanghai<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot\u2019<\/p>\n Ann Diament Koffsky<\/p>\n Green Bean Books; ages 3-8<\/p>\n Jakey, Joey and Jennie are three adorable little sheep who help build their family\u2019s sukkah in this humorous version of the Three Little Pigs. During the seven-day harvest holiday, Jewish families eat their meals in a sukkah \u2014 a small, open-roof hut \u2014 as a reminder of the dwellings of the ancient Israelites\u2019 desert journey after God freed them from slavery. When the sheep grow too big to fit in their sukkah, mama sheep sends them off to build their own. The two older brothers build sukkahs that the (not-too-scary) wolf blows down. But the youngest sister builds a sturdy one, with room for her brothers. When the wolf shows up, he can\u2019t huff and puff and blow it down. Jennie realizes he\u2019s lonely and invites him to join them, reflecting Sukkot\u2019s theme of welcoming guests.<\/p>\n \u2018Slow Down, Shoshi!: It\u2019s Shabbat in Uganda\u2019<\/p>\n \t \u2018Slow Down, Shoshi!: It\u2019s Shabbat in Uganda,\u2019 by Shoshana Nambi; illustrated by Moran Yogev. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n Shoshana Nambi; illustrated by Moran Yogev<\/p>\n Kalaniot Books; ages 5-7<\/p>\n In Rabbi Shoshana Nambi\u2019s heartwarming story, Shoshi, whose family is part of the Jewish Ugandan community \u2014 the Abayudaya \u2014 is a girl-on-the-go, always excited and in a hurry. She loves to help her grandfather, her Jjajja, harvest her family\u2019s special coffee beans and bring them to the market. On Fridays, Shoshi buys food for her family\u2019s Shabbat. \u201cSlow down, Shoshi,\u201d her grandmother cautions before she heads off\u00a0 along with her playful goat. But in her haste at the market, Shoshi forgets the Shabbat candles. With the help of her wise grandmother, Shoshi comes to understand the true meaning of welcoming Shabbat and the joy of being part of the Abayudayah community. Moran Yogev\u2019s collage-style illustrations capture village life and the beautiful East African landscape.<\/p>\n \u2018A Sukkah for Bella\u2019<\/p>\n Jodie Sadowsky; photographs by Frannie Wilson<\/p>\n Lovevery Publishing; ages 3-8<\/p>\n In Jodie Sadowsky\u2019s story, brought to life in Frannie Wilson\u2019s photographs, kids meet Bella, an endearing girl who loves to build things. This year, Bella \u2014 the youngest in her family \u2014 is eager to help build her family\u2019s sukkah. Kids will relate when Bella gets frustrated when she can\u2019t do everything the older kids do. But Bella brings her flair to the sukkah by decorating it with colorful, handmade paper chains. At the story\u2019s end, a beaming Bella holds a lulav and etrog, the fronds and fruit that are part of the holiday ritual. This book comes from a popular educational toy company that has expanded into publishing and frequently illustrates its literacy materials with photographs rather than illustrations.<\/p>\n \u2018Finding Forgiveness\u2019<\/p>\n \t \u2018Finding Forgiveness,\u2019 by Rebecca Gardyn Levington; illustrated by Diana Mayo. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n Rebecca Gardyn Levington; illustrated by Diana Mayo<\/p>\n Farrar, Straus & Giroux; ages 4-8<\/p>\n In Rebecca Gardyn Levington\u2019s touching \u2014 and relatable \u2014 story channeling the High Holidays spirit, two sisters have an argument on the day before Rosh Hashanah that leaves them both sulking. The next day, at their synagogue, when Jews reflect on the past year and pray for forgiveness, the older sister notices her sister looking sad. She should have been a better listener, she realizes. When her family gathers at the river with the congregation for tashlich<\/a> \u2013 the ritual tossing away of sins \u2014 the older one sees her sister still looking sad. She apologizes and the sisters make up with a hug and promise to be better. The book includes suggestions for meaningful apologies that all children can use.<\/p>\n
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