Barbara Bietz is an award-winning author and the creator of the
website Jewish Books for Kids where she interviews authors,
illustrators, editors, and more. Barbara is a former chair of the
Sydney Taylor Book Awards committee (Association of Jewish
Libraries). When she isn’t writing, Barbara enjoys playing guitar
and building dollhouses. She lives with her family in Southern
California. June Sobel loves picture books for the way they awaken
the wonder of words in children and keep the child alive in adults.
Creating books for the very young pre-readers is her passion. She
is the author of more than 10 picture books, including the
best-selling THE GOODNIGHT
TRAIN series. June enjoys exploring the world, hiking, and
photography. Her website is junesobel. She lives in Westlake
Village, California. June
Sobel loves picture books for the way they awaken the wonder of
words in
children and keep the child alive in adults.
Creating books for the very young pre-readers is her passion. She
is the
author of more than 10 picture books, including the best-selling
THE GOODNIGHT
TRAIN series. June enjoys exploring the
world, hiking, and photography. Her website is junesobel. She lives
in Westlake Village, California. Ruth Waters creates illustrations
using
collage, decorating the paper by hand
using brushes, rollers -
even old toothbrushes - to create unique textures. As an
author/illustrator she has five published picture books and been
shortlisted
for the World Illustration Awards 2019 and 2020, Children's Book
Category. She
lives in England.
This deceptively simple story celebrates a year of Jewish holidays
using apples as the through line. With sparse, rhyming text, each
spread celebrates a different Jewish holiday, beginning with Rosh
Hashanah and continuing through Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu
B’shevat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. While the minimal text
doesn’t explain much, each short rhyme includes something about the
holiday, whether it is the apples and honey eaten on Rosh Hashanah
or the trees planted on Tu B’Shevat. The illustrations are collage
style on solid white backgrounds. A fox, bear, and raccoon are
depicted fairly realistically, with a slightly cartoony feel. They
wear no clothes, but do sit at tables and wave flags. The simple,
bold illustrations pop on the white backgrounds and will catch and
engage the attention of toddlers and preschoolers. The sparse text
and bright illustrations would work equally well for a story time
or a one-on-one reading. The lack of explanation makes this book
most effective for a knowledgeable Jewish adult to share with a
child; the general appeal of food and holidays will speak even to
the uninitiated. Brief back matter includes a short author’s note
on the back cover. VERDICT This will be a welcome addition to
Jewish schools and libraries looking for holiday books for their
youngest readers. Public libraries will benefit from including this
title as well. PreS-K– –Amy Lilien-Harper, School Library
Journal
Apples join the joy of Jewish holiday celebrations in this
rollicking, perfectly rhymed journey through the Jewish year.
Traditional apple treats include apples and honey for Rosh
Hashanah, apple decorations for the Sukkah, applesauce to accompany
Hanukkah latkes, apples in the Passover charoset and more, making
this a book to share all year long. The artwork is bright and
cheery, with lots of holiday symbols. Lively animal characters
celebrating the special days will have young readers turning pages
and coming back for more. Yum!
This book is eligible for Sydney Taylor Book Award consideration.
The book has literary merit with its spot-on, smoothly rhyming,
memorable text. Bright, lively digital art with adorable animal
characters and bold clear text style make this a perfect fit for
children ages one through six. With its connection to many Jewish
holiday traditions, it has positive Jewish cultural content, making
it valuable for the Jewish community as well as a wonderful
introduction to Jewish holidays for children of all backgrounds.
--The Sydney Taylor Shmooze
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