Biblio File
Kids Books for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
The two holidays that mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year—Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a.k.a. the High Holidays—can be both solemn and joyous. They may not inspire as many books as Chanukah, but eating apples and honey and hearing the sound of the shofar (the ceremonial ram's horn blown during services) have plenty of kid appeal as well.
Check out some of our favorite picture books for the start of the Jewish new year, and l'shana tova (happy new year) to all!
Is It Rosh Hashanah Yet? by Chris Barash, illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo
As summer ends and Fall settles in, a family prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It’s time to pick apples, make cards, light the candles, and eat brisket to ring in the new year!
A Moon for Moe & Mo by Jane Breskin Zalben, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
Moses Feldman and Mohammed Hassan both live on Flatbush Avenue, but when they meet at the grocery store they quickly become best friends, sharing a picnic while their families prepare for the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan.
Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Allison Sofer, illustrated by Bob McMahon
Katy looks forward to her family's Rosh Hashanah tradition of making applesauce from scratch, but with a new baby, will the family be too busy this year?
Eli Remembers by Ruth Vander Zee and Marian Sneider, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
After many years of watching the solemn lighting of seven candles at Rosh Hashanah, Eli finally learns how those candles represent his family's connection to the Holocaust in Lithuania.
Tashlich at Turtle Rock by Susan Schnur, illustrated by Alex Steele-Morgan
Annie leads her family on a Rosh Hashanah hike to observe tashlich, where each person will ask God's forgiveness for the things they regret doing the previous year. Includes facts about this Jewish custom.
Sammy Spider's First Yom Kippur by Sylvia Rouss, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Sammy learns about the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur by Deborah Heiligman
Describes how the Jewish holidays are celebrated around the world.
Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.
Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!
Summaries taken from the NoveList database.
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