The Jewish New Year is right around the corner, so we have picked the best Rosh Hashana books for you to read with your nieces and nephews.  These wonderful stories cover the traditions Jewish Aunties may already practice with their little ones, and the values they teach them on this important holiday.

So pick up a Rosh Hashanah book from the library or bookstore and settle down with your nieces and nephews for some quality reading time.  Here are our picks to get you started:

Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride
By Deborah Bodin Cohen
Ages 4-8
 
This colorful story about the first train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in 1892 teaches an important lesson about Rosh Hashanah.  When Ari is selected as engineer of this historic train, his ego takes over, he brags to his friends, and he fails to say farewell.  Along the journey, the train stops to pick up items to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and Ari learns about the true meaning of the holiday.



Even Higher! A Rosh Hashanah Story by I.L. Peretz
By Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Jill Weber & Gail Gibbons
Ages 4-8
 
In this retelling of a classic Rosh Hashanah story, a rabbi disappears every year right before the New Year. The congregation assumes he has gone to speak with God about the fate of the townspeople.  One particular naysayer doubts that such a miracle could happen, so he decides to investigate. When he uncovers a touching secret involving human compassion, even this biggest of doubters changes his mind.


Gershon’s Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year
By Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Jon J. Muth
 
This tale, based on a Hasidic legend of the Jewish New Year, is about a baker named Gershon who refuses to take responsibility for his mistakes. Instead, he stuffs his bad deeds into a bag and dumps them into the Black Sea. Gershon ignores his rabbi, who urges him to make amends each year. He ultimately finds resolution when his collective errors come back to haunt him in this foreboding story.

Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah
By Sylvia A. Rouss
Illustrated by Katharine Janus Kahn
Ages 4-7

Sammy Spider learns all about the traditions and symbols of the Jewish New Year. His mother teaches him all about challah, apples and honey, and the special services at his synagogue.  Sammy’s mischievous behavior will delight small children as they read about how he learns to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in his own special way.


New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story
By April Halprin Wayland
Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch

 Izzy is a little boy who especially enjoys Tashlich, a ceremony performed at Rosh Hashanah whereby people confess their wrongdoings and begin the New Year with a fresh start.  Nieces and nephews will relate to Izzy as he grows upset about revealing his long list of “mistakes”, but realizes the value in making amends.  Overall, this is a touching, humorous story that entertains and teaches young ones a lot about the holiday along the way.

Republished: September 10, 2014