A Notes from the Windowsill annotated bibliography by Wendy E. Betts. Copyright 2005, 2006
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Last Updated 06/14/06
The World's Birthday by Barbara Diamond Goldin. Illustrated by
Jeanette Winter. Harcourt Brace, 1990 (0-15-299648-6); Voyager,
1995 (0-15-200045-3)
Daniel loves Rosh Hashanah, so when his Papa tells him that the holiday is the world's birthday, the day on which, "we celebrate the time when God created all things," Daniel thinks of the perfect way to celebrate: have a birthday party for the world. His scornful older sister Naomi calls it a stupid idea, and even his parents and his grandpa the rabbi can't think of a way for something as big as the world to come to a party. But could Daniel bring the party to the world?
This original tale comfortably blends the everyday and the spiritual
worlds, offering a fresh, childlike look at one of the lesser known
aspects of Rosh Hashanah. Visually set around fifty years ago, the
carefully textured watercolors have an innnocent, "good old days"
flavor which works well with the unsophisticated story, particularly
in the last scenes in which Daniel and his family find the world in
their own urban backyard. (4-8)
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Cathy Goldberg Fishman. Illustrated by Melanie W. Hall. Atheneum, 1995; Aladdin, 2000 (0-689-83892-1) $5.99 pb
A girl describes her family's celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, from the first New Years cards, to the visits to the synagogue, to the breaking of the fast. She ends by realizing that the cards her family received this year left out something important, and so she makes her own: "Happy Birthday World, La Shana Tova."
I can't quite figure out what audience this book is intended for. In
the illustrations the narrator looks about twelve, and the text tackles
some complicated ideas: "The sound of the shofar reminds me of God.
It makes me think about everything I need to do to be a better
person." The softly colored paintings also seemed aimed at an older
audience. But the descriptions of the family conversations and rituals
seem too dull and simplistic for older readers. It's a rather pretty book,
but I really can't see kids reading or listening to it except out of a
sense of duty. (4-8)
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Apples and Pomegranates: a Family Seder for Rosh Hashanah by Rahel Musleah. Illustrated by Judy Jarrett. Kar-Ben, 2004 (1-4155-4945-1); (1-580-13123-9) $7.95 trade
Seders are usually associated with Passover, but accoding to this book, the Rosh Hashanah Seder is an ancient tradition. The version offered here is from the author's family tradition in Calcutta, but it incorporates elements from Ashkenazic and Sephardic traditions. Readers who want to learn how to create this unusual Seder will find everything they need in this book, from a shopping list, to prayers and stories, to questions to consider about the event's meaning. A pleasant design, with colored pages and frequent watercolor decorations, makes this book attractive and acessible. (8 & up)
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