The fall holiday of Sukkot is one of the most joyful times of the year in the Jewish calendar. Sukkot means “booths” or “huts” in Hebrew; the name refers to the temporary dwellings in which the ancient Israelites lived in the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt. In commemoration, Jewish families build their own sukkot, and try to spend as much time as possible in them throughout the eight-day holiday. Eating, spending time with family and friends, and sleeping in the sukkah help to create a real sense of connection with the Israelites’ experience.
Explore the traditions and customs of Sukkot with these brightly illustrated books.
Related: 7 Children’s Books About Sukkot
Recommended for ages 3 to 4
Henry the Elephant loves to sing, so when he hears a family singing in their sukkah, he is excited to join in. There’s just one problem: the sukkah is too small for Henry. The solution they come up with is nothing short of Talmudic.
Recommended for ages 3 to 4
Engineer Ari stops to see all his friends as he drives his train to Jerusalem, and each one helps him gather the supplies he needs for his sukkah. But when Sukkot arrives, he wishes they could all share the holiday with him! When he goes back to the train station, he finds a surprise waiting.
Recommended for ages 4 to 5
Hillel loves building little play houses, but they keep not quite working. His Purim house gets soaked, and his Hanukkah house is a fire hazard. But then, Sukkot comes along...a holiday perfect for building houses!
Recommended for ages 4 to 6
On a dark night full of noises, a young brother and sister decide to sleep in the family sukkah. They realize that the stars they see in the sky are the same as those that guided the ancient Israelites on their journey through the desert.
Recommended for ages 4 to 5
Aunti Sanyu welcomes all the animals into her sukkah -- Warthog, Lion, Giraffe, Elephant, you name it. After all, Sukkot is all about welcoming guests! But someone is having a hard time sharing. This story is set in Uganda, but its moral will feel very close to home wherever you happen to be.
Discussion Questions:
After reading the stories above, keep the conversation going with these conversation starters:
- How is a sukkah different from a house?
- What makes your home cozy?
- How do you make a guest feel special in your home?
September 9, 2021