New Books for The Jewish New Year
My Shofar: A Rosh Hashanah Board Book
Ann Koffsky
Blow in the new year with MY SHOFAR! Ann Koffsky’s adorable new board book is the perfect first book about the first holiday of the Jewish year. Little Elephant has her own shofar on Rosh Hashanah, but it won’t blow loudly. Try as she may, she only gets a quite sound. This humorous story is illustrated by The author’s trademark colorful simple style, and the delightful ending will have your little ones in giggles. This fourth book in her new “My Jewish Objects” board book series introduces the important Jewish holiday ritual. But the book teaches the concept of quiet and loud and Little Elephant’s determination also teaches a lesson in perseverance. This cute book is perfect for your child’s first library.
Kayla and Kugel’s Super Sweet Rosh Hashanah
Ann Koffsky
Ann Koffsky’s Kayla and Kugel are at it again. This time the cute youngster is getting ready for Rosh Hashanah and of course her rambunctious pup is “helping” and Kugel gets into a sticky situation. Any reader loves revisiting their favorite characters in a much loved series. Children will love learning all about Jewish holidays from this duo. Koffsky’s bright colorful illustrations and short, sweet stories are perfect for a young Jewish family’s holiday collection
Author Interview with Ann Koffsky
Read my interview with author illustrator Ann Koffsky. The prolific author has over 50 published children’s books. and discusses her most recent work.
Days of Awe
Eric A. Kimmel, Sarah Green, illustrator
Award-winning folklorist Eric A. Kimmel tells stories to dramatize the meaning of each pillar of the holiday–a couple who share what they have, only to find that their samovar keeps refilling, a shepherd who loves God so much that he makes up his own prayers to Him, and a beggar and a Rabbi who together experience the power of repentance.
Sarah Green’s illustrations in this new edition set the tone for these stories for the High Holidays.
Finding Forgiveness
Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Diana Mayo, illustrator
The theme of finding forgiveness is a universal one. It is beautifully explored in this lovely book as a young family celebrates Rosh Hashana. The Jewish New Year custom of Tashlich, casting off your past mistakes, stresses making amends for past hurts and trying to do better in the next year. When a young girl has just fought with her sister, she is sad that she has made her little sister cry. In this lyrical poem the reader follows the little girl’s thoughts about her sister and how she asks forgiveness. The meter and rhyme tell the story in a sweet manner, and it all flows effortlessly. The pastel illustrations by Diana Mayo add a dreamy softness that complements the text and provides a calm meditative mood. The afterward includes an authors note, a section with suggestions for apologizing meaningfully and a glossary. Most Rosh Hashana picture books don’t go beyond the shofar or the apples and honey. This one touches on the meaning of the occasion in an age appropriate manner. This is a perfect book for Jewish youngsters, but the themes of family and forgiveness are universal and little ones of any faith can empathize and learn from the characters in this story.
Author Interview with Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Rebecca Gardyn Levington discusses her new picture book Finding Forgiveness, a fantastic story about sisterhood and finding the courage to ask for forgiveness.
Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah
Sarah Aroeste, Maria Mola, illustrator
The multitalented singer composer Sarah Aroeste has written several picture books that celebrate Jewish life with Sephardic traditions. This cute board book lists each tradition with a simple rhyme followed with the refrain Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah which wishes “Happy New Year” in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) and Hebrew. The illustrations by Maria Mola are in muted earth tones and pastels giving the book a warm cozy feeling. Fans will enjoy following the QR code on the back cover which leads to a music video of her lyrical Rosh Hashana song by the same title. This sweet simple story is the perfect way for little ones to celebrate the new year.
More Rosh Hashanah Favorites
Looking for more Rosh Hashana books? Check out my Goodreads Rosh Hashanah shelf for a list of suggested Rosh Hashana books for all ages- board book to adult. This lengthy list is curated from suggestions by authors and friends.
