The Sukkah Hop by Barbara Lerman-Golomb

Ths Sukkah Hop is a delightful new pcture book for Sukkot that little ones will adore. But Writing a great rhyming story is not as easy as you may think. There is a secret to writing one that readers will enjoy. In her guest post. Hop into Rhyme, the author discusses the process. After you read her post you can learn more about the author and her new book.

HOP INTO RHYME

Guest Post by Barbara Lerman-Golomb

My new book, The Sukkah Hop, is about the harvest festival of Sukkot. There are so many wonderful elements to the holiday, known as the season of our rejoicing. Wearing my environmental educator hat, I love that Sukkot brings us closer to nature, back to our agrarian roots. A sukkah is a temporary foliage-covered hut we build during the weeklong holiday, reminding us of the huts our ancestors built to be closer to gathering their crops in the field during harvest time. While each sukkah has a unique identity, at the same time, it is a communal space to gather. Wearing my art enthusiast hat, I love how we can express ourselves when decorating the sukkah. And wearing my social justice hat, I love that Sukkot is an inclusive holiday. All these elements are infused in my book, but I chose to focus on an activity I did with my children–sukkah hopping, the tradition of moving from sukkah to sukkah to engage in various festive traditions and holiday centered arts and crafts, singing, dancing, and of course eating! My goal was to capture the joy, gratitude, and rhythm of the journey, 

When I was nine years old, inspired by Harriet the Spy, I told my mother I wanted to be a writer. It had been her childhood aspiration as well. She was inspired not only by the book Little Women, but by the 1933 film starring her favorite actress, Katherine Hepburn, in the role of Jo, the budding writer. Shortly after I expressed my interest, she surprised me with a notebook, a pen, and a pocket dictionary. When my mother was growing up, a woman pursuing a writing career was less encouraged. She wanted to make sure I felt supported. 

As far back as I can remember, I wrote in rhyme. Not only poems, but cards I customized for every occasion for family and friends. The problem, though, for most of my writing career, as a slew of other writers can attest to, was that I was told not to rhyme. I have since learned that editors have grown weary of rhyming text submissions that miss the mark. This warning about writing in rhyme became so ingrained, it held me back from submitting several manuscripts.

At a children’s book festival a few years ago, I shared my plight with Jane Yolen about years of being told not to write in rhyme. I shared that I finally took the risk and submitted a rhyming text and much to my surprise it was accepted for publication! But I believed it was an anomaly, still hearing the negativity towards rhyming text in the industry. Without hesitation and characteristically Jane said, “Don’t listen to them!” 

Years back, as the oldest granddaughter on my maternal side, my Nana entrusted me with personal and professional keepsakes that had belonged to my grandfather. Among the items were lighthearted poems he had written filled with clever rhymes and wordplay. I was pleased to discover that rhyming was in my DNA! Pop Pop had started out as a doctor then went to law school and became a judge. He and my grandmother were deeply involved in social justice and heated politics. He was no doubt attracted to writing poems because rhyme offers relaxation, stress relief, mindfulness, and mental clarity. And of course it can be just plain fun!  

I also attribute my love of rhyme to growing up in a home filled with music. My parents’ expansive record collection included Broadway musicals, classical music, and popular singers of the Big Band era. With two older brothers, I discovered folk music and rock ‘n roll at a young age. It was in the lyrical verse of Bob Dylan, the poet, that I found comfort and a love of language. I listened to his Greatest Hits album till the needle on our stereo nearly wore out. 

In The Sukkah Hop, the counting of the 1, 2, 3, 4 sukkahs is similar to how musicians 

count off song beats. Overall, the beats and meter enabled me to create the kind of movement and energy I wanted to convey in the text, matched by the whimsical, active illustrations by Talia Drigues. I am working on several new manuscripts and will let the writing gods decide if they should be in rhyme if that’s where the story takes me!

“Shout out” to my mother Etta Freed Lerman, my father Max R. Lerman, my grandmother Myne Cohen Freed, and my grandfather M. Phillip Freed.

About Barbara Lerman-Golomb

Barbara Lerman-Golomb has written for a variety of platforms that help kids think big, ask questions, and engage with the world around them. Books, media, educational software, magazines, the arts and more. Her creative ventures include designing content for major edutainment and publishing companies like Nickelodeon and Scholastic, co-creating and scripting an award-winning full-motion video language learning adventure, writing and developing content for a national multi-sensory program promoting children’s literacy, establishing community gardens, and designing hands-on experiential activities that turn learning into play. Her articles and essays often delve into the themes of food, sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social justice. Barbara loves spending time with her family and exploring art, beach days, nature treks, and travel, and values her work with an environmental education nonprofit connecting people and resources to make meaningful change.

Author Links

Website – barbaralerman-golomb.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/barbara.lermangolomb

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbara_lerman_golomb_write_on/

About The Sukkah Hop

Sukkot's communal tradition unfolds as families hop between huts, sharing crafts, foods, songs, and stars.

Every autumn, during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, temporary huts - sukkahs - are constructed for use during the week of festivities. Each hut houses a different activity, and groups of people travel together to visit each sukkah in turn.

The Sukkah Hop takes us through this communal tradition of 'Sukkah Hopping' as we bounce from one hut to another, watching people wave the etrog and the lulav, create arts and crafts, taste delicious harvest foods, sing, dance and stargaze through the s'chach roofs.

This endearing rhyming tale is perfect for engaging young readers and teaching them more about Jewish culture and tradition.

Storybook Lady Review
The Sukkah Hop
by Barbara Lerman-Golomb

Barbara Lerman-Golomb has written an adorable picture book that will delight the little ones. This Sukkot book introduces the concept of Sukkah hopping as families visit different sukkahs. The catchy rhymes have an easy rhythm that invites the listener to chant along. The cute illustrations by Talia Drigues complement the author’s text perfectly as kids learn about many Sukkot activities: decorating a sukkah with either arts and crafts or gourds, waving the lulav and etrog, eating and partying, and enjoying the sukkah under the stary sky. The pages are filled with people of different complexions and all ages and several animals.

I shared this book with my preschool aged grandchild who is learning to read. The predictable text makes it easy for preschoolers to predict the phrase at the end of each rhyme. I liked the fact that the words “Sukkah One” up to “Sukkah Four” are in extra-large blue font making it easy to reinforce the word sukkah and the counting words for early readers. My grandchild enjoyed the catchy rhymes and loved looking at the details to see the animals’ antics. Even a few tiny birds get into the act! We read a downloadable review copy from the publisher on a tablet, but I can’t wait to add the print copy to my bookcase!

Illustration by Talia Origues from The Sukkah Hop shows everyone gathered under ths stars at Sukkah Four. Look on the roof for a unique seranade from the birds.

Learn about All the new Sukkot Books this Season

New Crop of Sukkot Stories for 2026

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