Unlike the holidays of Hanukkah or Passover, some of the other Jewish holidays have far fewer children’s books available. But here are several books that have been published in just the past few years.
PICTURE BOOKS
The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot
Ann D. Koffsky
Published September 4, 2025 by Green Bean Books
Picture book
Adora-baa Sukkot Story
Ann Koffsky’s delightful retelling of the of a classic, combines a fractured fairytale with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. If you have never heard of “The Three Little Sheep, just think about it. The three little pigs obviously needed to be replaced. The three sheep each build their own sukkah and the big, not so bad, wolf just wants in. But the first two buildings are too fragile and two small. Koffsky cleverly has the smarter sheep who builds a sturdy shack, also generous enough to make the sukkah roomy enough for guests. The story is illustrated with her trademark colorful illustrations. The faces are expressive, and the pages are full of interesting details. This book, aimed at little ones, teaches the concept of building a sukkah for Sukkot and the important concept of inviting everyone in. This is a perfect Sukkot story for Jewish preschoolers, but even kids from different backgrounds will love this story about inclusion and forgiveness.
Kayla and Kugel’s Silly Sukkot
Kayla and kugel Series
Ann D. Koffsky
Published August 22, 2023 by Apples & Honey Press
Picture Book
Cute Sukkot Story
Once again, Kayla and her pup help get ready for the holidays. While Kayla and her rambunctious dog help Mom and Dad build and decorate the Sukkah, Kayla explains the holiday to Kugel. Kayla knows how to prepare for the holiday, but Kugel knows the importance of sharing the holiday with others. The cute illustrations will grab preschoolers’ interest while the book provide the basics that they should learn. An author’s note at the back provides more information and discussion ideas.
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 The Three Little Sheep and The Kayla and Kugel series as well as other works.
Mixed-Up Mooncakes
Erica Lyons, Christina Matula, Tracy Subisak (Illustrator)
Published September 10, 2024 by Quill Tree Books
Picture book
𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
Ruby loves Autumn when she can celebrate two harvest holidays, the Chinese Moon Festival and the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, that often fall at the same time. She helps both Nainai (Grandma) and Zyde (Grandpa) prepare for the holidays. The family Sukkah is decorated with red paper lanterns and the food served at the big family dinner inside borrow from both cultures. Ruby listens to her grandparents each tell the stories of their holiday while they prepare a very special holiday treat. The watercolor illustrations by Tracy Subisak are charming. I especially like the fact that she chose to use simple dots as the eyes for the faces of all the characters despite a difference in ethnicity. The afterward includes notes from the illustrator and both authors who all express the joys of coming from a culturally blended family. It also includes passages explaining the two holidays and ends with Ruby’s Jewish Mooncake Recipe. I have a fondness for stories about families that are culturally blended and requested a review copy of this book. I can honestly say that I loved it, and I am sure that you will too.
Saliman and the Memory Stone
Erica Lyons,, Yinon Ptahia (Illustrator)
Published May 7, 2024 by Apples & Honey Press
Historical Fiction Picture Book
Beautiful Story about Immigration
Erica Lyons has written a story about a young boy who travels from his home to a distant land. In the 1880s a small group of Jews from Yemen were part of the first Aliya, the wave of immigration of Jews from the diaspora to their biblical home. Lyons captures the idea beautifully when the grandfather says “Yemen is a borrowed place. Our home is far across the sands and seas in Jerusalem” She details the hardships; the empty bellies, the walking, and selling belongings for boat passages. But the author also beautifully captures family; the sound of mother singing and the “map” of their travels in the wrinkles of the grandfather’s hand. Saliman takes a small stone from his home to carry with him. He calls it his memory stone, and uses it to help him recall his old home as he travels to the new one. This not a Sukkot story, but the tale is bookended by Sukkot. The family begins its journey in the fall and the following year, when he celebrates the holiday in Jerusalem, he realizes that home is not a place, but the memories that people carry with them.
An Etrog from Across the Sea
Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry M. Olitzky Stacey Dressen McQueen (illustrator)
Published August 6, 2024 by Kar-Ben Publishing
Historical Fiction Picture Book
A Colonial Sukkot
“An Etrog from Across the Sea” is a sweet Sukkot story that portrays a Jewish family in 1729 waiting for their father to return from across the sea. Papa is a merchant and has written that he will return by New Year and bring an etrog from Corsica to use at Sukkot. When Papa fails to appear, Grandpa Luis gives Rachel his beautiful silver cup that he uses to hold an etrog during sukkot. He tells her to keep it safe until her father returns with the promised etrog. Although the family is fictional, Grandpa Luis is based on a real merchant and his family still has the silver cup. This historical fiction makes a fantastic change of pace from most stories for the holiday and any book penned by Rabbis Cohen and Olitzky is a great addition to holiday story time..
Night Lights: A Sukkot Story
Barbara Diamond Goldin, Laura Sucher (Illustrator)
Published September 1, 2023 by Behrman House
Picture Book
A Different Type of Night Light.
This unusual Sukkot story provides takes place during the holiday, but itis also a story about fear of the dark and sibling relationships. Families that build a sukkah will celebrate by eating dinner inside. Often, children will also spend the night inside too. In this story, young Daniel is afraid of the dark. The year before, he and his sister Naomi were kept company by their grandfather who soothed his fears. But this year, Grandpa is sick, and the two children will be outside alone. None of the adults realized that Daniel might be scared. Although his older sister teases him at first, in the end she gives comfort when she points out that the stars are a type of night light that will help chase away his fears. This much-loved story has been published by three different companies, each time with a different illustrator.
The Moving-Box Sukkah
Leah Berkowitz, Sharon Vargo (Illustrator)
Published August 22, 2023 by Apples & Honey Press
Picture Book
Everything is different and nothing feels like home for a boy who has moved to a new city with his mom. He misses his old yard, and he worries that they in an apartment building, they won’t be able to celebrate holiday. With explanation from mom, who describes how the Israelites had to move and adapt to new surroundings throughout the ages, the boy begins to see that different isn’t necessarily worse, and a new place can begin to feel more like home, especially when family is together.
The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda
Shoshana Nambi, Moran Yogev (Illustrator)
Published September 6, 2022 by Kalaniot Books
Picture Book
A Sukkot Story with Jewish Diversity
The Very best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda tells a story about community. In this story, everyone is excited about the village Sukkah competition. Each Sukkah reflects the builder’s own talents. When one person buys decorations instead of making them, other villagers feel that they can’t compete. But when a storm ruins that sukkah, the whole community pitches in to help rebuild it. Like the lulav, a traditional decoration made from three different kinds of palm bound together, the community binds together each contributing their own touch. This book provides a touching story that all kids can identify with, a lesson about another culture and stunning art work to enchant the reader.
The Stars Will Be My Nightlight: A Sukkot Story
Jen Halpern, Chiara Fedele (Illustrator)
2022 by Kar-Ben Publishing
Picture Book
Sweet Sukkot Story
In Jen Harper’s simple little tale, a mother gives in to her young son’s request to spend the night in the sukkah. It is a charming story that explains the holiday of Sukkot and shows a loving relationship between mother and child. Chiara Fedele’s lovely illustrations add warmth as they help tell the story.
Hillel Builds a House
Shoshana Lepon, Angeles Ruiz (Illustrator)
August 1, 2020 by Kar-Ben Publishing
Picture Book
Cute Look at a Year of Jewish Holidays
This cute picture book that highlights one or two things about each Jewish holiday is a perfect introduction to the Jewish calendar. The story follows Hillel, a child who loves to build houses. His temporary houses are fun, but not appropriate for most Jewish holidays. But when Sukkot comes around, Hillel gets his wish. He gets to spend the holiday in a house that he helped build! With a glossary at the end, this picture book can be enjoyed by any child, whether they celebrate Sukkot or they are just learning about a culture different from their own.
EARLY READER
A Sukkah for Bella
Jodie Sadowsky, Frannie Wilson (photography)
Published August 21, 2025 by Lovevery Books
Nonfiction Early Reader
This cute nonfiction early reader introduces children to the holiday of Sukkot. Bella explains to the reader that her family is Jewish and she is excited to help the family build a sukkah. Photographs of Bella and her happy family show them as they build the sukkah. Bella describes the holiday, the sukkah, and a few of the customs to the readers. Kids will identify with Bella because she wants to help, but she is too small for most of the tasks. But then Bella finds something that she can do! She teaches her family to make colorful paper chains to decorate the sukkah. Bella’s narration is appropriate for the intended emergent reader who would be in early elementary. However, this book also includes several fine print insets which give parents or other older readers further explanations as well as definitions of the few Hebrew words. This book would be a great introduction to sukkot for those interested in learning about the holiday.
CHAPTER BOOK
Starlight Soup: A Sukkot Story
Saralee Siegel Series
Elana Rubinstein, Jennifer Naalchigar (Illustrator)
Published August 1, 2021 by Apples & Honey Press
Chapter Book
Magical Holiday Chapter Book
Imagine a pot of magical soup where each person tastes their own favorite flavor. Author, Elana Rubinstein has created a fun chapter book series about a spunky, smart Jewish girl with a colorful extended family and a unique talent. Saralee Siegal is a girl with a super-nose who could sniff out any scent from miles away. Zadie and Sara Lee want something different for the Seigel House Sukkot menu. Since a sukkah roof is made of branches to let in the starlight, she wants to make a starlight soup. When she actually creates a magical soup that lights up like the starlit sky and tastes like anyone’s favorite flavor, the whole town shows up. But nothing great is ever perfect, and when things take a turn for the worse, it is up to Saralee to come up with a solution. There are plenty of holiday picture books for the preschoolers. This book is perfect for the older youngsters who want to celebrate Sukkot with a good book. I recommend the whole series.
Middle Grade Comic Book
The Beast and the Booth: Festival of Forgotten Tales: Tale #1
Arnon Z. Shorr, Joshua M. Edelglass (illustrator)
2024 by OxRock Productions
Middle Grade Comic Book
Arnon Z. Shorr and Joshua M. Edelglass, the same team that created the acclaimed graphic novel José and the Pirate Captain Toledano, have created The Festival of Forgotten Tales. In this supernatural story, the titular booth is a sukkah. As the story progresses, an astute reader can soon predict the nature of the beast. Set during Sukkot, young Sarah meets her new neighbor and invites him over for dinner in the sukkah. But he is terrified to go out at night. This one issue comic combines Jewish heritage and spooky folklore into an entertaining story. The second issue of this series is an exciting Passover Mummy story, The Tomb of the Broken Amulet: Festival of Forgotten Tales: Tale #2. Both comics combine Jewish heritage and supernatural adventure. I have read several works by the author and I can’t wait to read what he writes next.
More Sukkot Favorites
Looking for more Sukkot books? Check out my Goodreads Sukkot shelf for reviews of popular Sukkot books for all ages- board book to adult.
