A
Rosh Hashanah apple
cake bake-off fit for
reality television and
another installment in the
Scarlet and Sam series from
the award-winning author
Eric A. Kimmel are among
the highlights in the crop of
new High Holiday books for
children.
Six engaging and fun reads
for kids of all ages seize the
spirit of the Jewish holidays
and the excitement and
anticipation of beginning
anew, reflecting on the past,
and celebrating the warmth
and joy of Jewish traditions
with family and friends.
Kimmel’
s Whale of a Tale
provides a modern-day riff
on the biblical Book of Jonah
read aloud in synagogues
on Yom Kippur, preaching
forgiveness over revenge. The
master storyteller adds his
laugh-out-loud wit to this
ancient and intriguing story.
In Once Upon an Apple
Cake, the children’
s book
debut for author Elana
Rubinstein, you get a zany,
charming story of the
meaning of family and the
strength of Jewish tradition.
Not to mention a terrific
recipe, too.
Other offerings bring the
Sesame Street characters led
by Grover and a brilliantly
colorful biblical story of
Creation by another award-
winning author, Ann Koffsky.
Not to mention for Sukkot,
an elephant making his way
into a sukkah.
The Jewish New Year begins
on the night of Sept. 29.
Once Upon an Apple Cake:
A Rosh Hashanah Story
Elana Rubinstein; illustrated
by Jennifer Naalchigar
Apples & Honey Press;
ages 7-10
In this humor-filled,
heartwarming chapter
book, readers meet Saralee,
an endearing 10-year-old
Jewish girl whose cute-
looking nose possesses the
unusual superpower to sniff
out scents and flavors. As
Rosh Hashanah approaches,
Saralee, whose family owns
a restaurant, is excited to
bake her zaydie’
s popular
apple cake with a mystery
ingredient that even Saralee
can’
t figure out. Trouble lay
ahead when a new family
opens a restaurant and
threatens to take over the
apple cake business.
When zaydie bumps his
head, he temporarily forgets
the secret to the cake. Will
Saralee rise to the occasion,
bake the perfect cakes and
win a contest judged by a
famous food critic? More than
anything, Saralee wishes that
her grandfather returns home
from the hospital for Rosh
Hashanah.
The cartoon illustrations by
Jennifer Naalchigar add zest
to Rubinstein’
s efforts. The
recipe is included at the end
of the book.
Whale of a Tale
Eric A. Kimmel; illustrations
by Ivica Stevanovic
Kar-Ben; ages 6-10
Travel back in time in
the third installment of the
Scarlett and Sam Jewish-
themed chapter book series
for older readers by Kimmel
(Hershel and the Hanukkah
Goblins). The lighthearted
adventure begins when the
brother and sister twins offer
to take their Grandma Mina’
s
centuries-old carpet to be
cleaned at the local rug shop.
Engrossed in conversation
with their mysterious ride-
hailing service driver, Jonah,
they forget to take the prized
carpet with its aura of magic
that their proudly Iran-born
grandmother brought with
her as she fled tyranny in her
country.
Suddenly, they find
themselves transported to
Jaffa in ancient Israel amid
carpet sellers in the shouk
(market). They stow away
on a ship, where they reunite
with Jonah, who they learn
is the biblical prophet. The
stormy caper shines with
references to the biblical tale,
as the kids and Jonah go
overboard and are swallowed
up in the slimy belly of a big
fish (is it really a prehistoric
shark, they fear?). With fierce
determination, the clever
kids prod the reluctant Jonah
to travel to Nineveh, to be
faithful to God and justice,
and to speak out to the
ruthless Assyrian king.
Ivica Stevanovic’
s animated
illustrations embellish the
drama.
Shanah Tovah, Grover!
Joni Kibort Sussman;
illustrated by Tom Leigh
Kar-Ben; ages 1-4
Join Grover, Big Bird and
other beloved Sesame Street
characters as they welcome
Rosh Hashanah with honey
and apples, a shofar, and a
festive meal with songs and
blessings. Joni Sussman’
s
simple verse is perfect for
reading aloud to little ones
and for preschoolers eager
to read on their own, paired
with veteran Sesame Street
artist Tom Leigh’
s delightful,
colorful illustrations.
Seize the
Spirit
Here are 6 new
children’
s books for
the Jewish New Year
PENNY SCHWARTZ JTA
48 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2019
continued on page 50
COURTESY OF APPLES & HONEY PRESS
COURTESY OF KAR-BEN
COURTESY OF KAR-BEN
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