Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Books for Children

Apples & Honey
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Cary Pillo-Lassen
With each exciting Rosh Hashanah activity shown, little ones begin to explore the meaning and traditions of the Jewish New Year.

Happy Birthday, World
Author: Latifa Berry Kropf
Illustrator: Latifa Berry Kropf
By comparing a child's birthday celebration to the symbols and customs of Rosh Hashanah -- a birthday cake with apples dipped in honey, party horns with the shofar, etc. -- little ones are introduced to the happy celebrations of the Jewish New Year.

Today Is the Birthday of the World
Author: Linda Heller
Illustrator: Alison Jay
On Rosh Hashanah, God asks each creature if it has been the best it can be, leading to understanding of the contributions each one can make to the world.

Beni's Family Treasury
Author: Jane Breskin Zalben
Illustrator: Jane Breskin Zalben
Beni and his family and friends celebrate Jewish holidays throughout the year. In this collection of five stories, Ben has adventures on Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim and Passover.

Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride
Author: Deborah Cohen
Illustrator: Shahar Kober
Israel's first train chugs from Jaffa to Jerusalem just in time for Rosh Hashanah, taking treats to children for a sweet new year and seeing sights all along the way.

The Hardest Word
Author: Jacqueline Jules
Illustrator: Katherine Janus Kahn
The Ziz, a clumsy and big-hearted bird, asks God for advice after accidentally destroying a vegetable garden.  From this, Ziz learns the importance of an apology.

It's Shofar Time!
Author: Latifa Berry Kropf
Illustrator: Latifa Berry Kropf
Hearing the shofar is an exciting experience for children.  After beginning with this important holiday tradition, the author then introduces dipping apples in honey, making greeting cards and baking round challah.

Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah
Author: Sylvia Rouss
Illustrator: Katherine Janus Kahn
As the Jewish New Year begins, Sammy happily finds himself covered in honey and eager to celebrate Rosh Hashanah - complete with round challah, apples and honey, and special holiday cards.

The World's Birthday
Author: Barbara Goldin
Illustrator: Jeanette Winter
Daniel is determined to celebrate Rosh Hashanah by having a proper birthday party for the world, and he succeeds as only a child could.

Even Higher!
Author: Eric Kimmel
Illustrator: Jill Weber
In this old-world tale, a skeptical visitor to a village determines where the rabbi goes when he disappears each year just prior to Rosh Hashanah

Even Higher
Author: Richard Ungar
Illustrator: Richard Ungar
Each year, just before Rosh Hashanah, the rabbi of Nemirov disappears.  Where does he go? Reuven's friends decide to find out by appointing Reuven to follow the beloved older man.

Gershon's Monster
Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Jon J Muth
Instead of dealing with his mistakes, Gershon the baker sweeps them into the cellar.  In this retelling of a Hasidic legend, Gershon eventually discovers a better way of living

New Year at the Pier
Author: April Halprin Wayland
Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch
In this contemporary story, Izzy finds it difficult to apologize for a certain mistake, until the Rosh Hashanah tashlichservice gives him new understanding.

The Secret Shofar of Barcelona
Author: Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Illustrator: Douglas Chayka
In this story set in Spain in the 1500s, the son of a conductor blows the shofar in preparation for Rosh Hashanah, a practice he must keep secret.

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?
Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Jonah Winter
This book opens a window into the life of the major league baseball player many called the greatest lefty who ever pitched. Included in this story is Koufax's famous decision to sit out the first game of the 1965 World Series rather than play on Yom Kippur.