As the leaves change color and the air gets cooler, the fall season brings important Jewish holidays filled with rich traditions and meaningful stories. This curated list of children’s picture books invites young readers to explore the beauty and significance of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Each book offers engaging illustrations and heartfelt narratives that celebrate the themes of renewal, reflection, and gratitude, making these beloved holidays accessible and enjoyable for families to share together. Dive into these delightful reads and discover the joy of the Jewish fall festivities!
Today Is the Birthday of the World by Linda Heller and Alison Jay
Today is a special day: the birthday of the world, when God and all God’s creatures celebrate the beauty of life. As God asks each dear creature in turn whether it has been the best that it can be, this simple affirmation of life and goodness applauds the contribution that each and every one of us— from the mightiest elephant to the smallest child— can make. The whimsical animals in Alison Jay’s perfectly composed crackled paintings will make this a favorite book on the family shelf.
It’s Shofar Time! by Latifa Berry Kropf and Tod Cohen
Kropf then eases little ones into more about the celebration, first establishing the time of year when the holiday occurs (“It’s fall. Time to celebrate Rosh Hashanah”), then introducing some of the other traditions associated with it–dipping apples in honey; creating cards that say Shanah Tovah–“Have a good year”; and making round challah. Explanations are brief and spot-on for the age group (some little ones will be able to read the text on their own), and the kids in the pictures have a wonderful natural look that speaks to the talent of the photographer.
Tashlich at Turtle Rock by Susan Schnur & Anna Schnur-Fishman and Alex Steele-Morgan
Annie is excited about the Tashlich ceremony on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, when her family will walk to Turtle Rock Creek and throw crumbs into the water, as symbols of mistakes made the past year. As Annie leads her family through the woods stopping at favorite rocks, bridges, and waterfalls in her family’s own Tashlich ritual, they think about the good and bad things that happened during the past year, and make plans for a sweeter new year. This story focuses on ecological connections to the Tashlich ceremony and encourages families to customize the ritual and commune with nature at the New Year.
New Year at the Pier – A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland and Stephane Jorisch
Izzy’s favorite part of Rosh Hashanah is Tashlich, a joyous ceremony in which people apologize for the mistakes they made in the previous year and thus clean the slate as the new year begins. But there is one mistake on Izzy’s “I’m sorry” list that he’s finding especially hard to say out loud. Humor, touching moments between family and friends, and lots of information about the Jewish New Year are all combined in this lovely picture book for holiday sharing.
Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Allison Sarnoff Soffer and Bob McMahon
Katy’s favorite holiday is Rosh Hashanah, when she gets to pick apples and make applesauce with her mother. But what happens when the tradition is interrupted by the early arrival of her baby cousin?
What’s the Buzz? Honey for a Sweet New Year by Alison Ofansnansky and Eliyahu Alpern
Visit a bee farm, and follow the bees as they carry “kisses” from flower to flower and return to their hives with their tummies full of nectar. Learn how the honey is extracted from the combs and makes its way from the hive to the table, to be enjoyed with slices of apples for a Rosh Hashanah treat.
The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story by Jacqueline Jules and Katherine Janus Kahn
Loosely based on the Hasidic legend “The Tear of Repentance”, The Hardest Word is a story about forgiveness.
The Ziz, a wonderful bird who lived long ago, is so big and clumsy that he can’t keep from bumping into things. When a tree he knocks over destroys the children’s garden, he seeks God’s help to fix things. “Bring me the hardest word,” God instructs him, and the Ziz flies off to search. He brings back words like rhinocerous, rock, and Rumplestiltskin, but none is acceptable, until he makes an important discovery.
Tikvah Means Hope by Patricia Polacco
Justine and Duane and their neighbors are happily getting ready for Sukkoth, the Jewish harvest holiday. Suddenly, catastrophe strikes as a fire sweeps through their town. Luckily for everyone, there are still miracles in this world–sometimes in the shape of a little cat. This heartfelt story is a stirring celebration of life, friendship, and–most of all–hope!
Sadie’s Sukkah Breakfast by Jamie Korngold and Julie Fortenberry
Waking up early in the morning on Sukkot, Sadie and Ori decide to serve breakfast in the sukkah. But when the table is set and the food is ready, they remember that a sukkah celebration needs guests. No one is awake, so who should they invite?
The Elephant in the Sukkah by Sherri Mandell and Ivana Kuman
Henry, once a happy circus elephant, feels lonely and sad at the farm for old elephants, where nobody wants to hear him sing. One evening, he follows the sound of music and singing to the Brenner family’s sukkah. At last, a place where he might sing. But Henry cannot fit inside the sukkah! Ori knows it’s a mitzvah to invite guests, and he gets a big idea about how to include Henry in the Sukkot fun.
On Sukkot and Simchat Torah by Cathy Goldberg Fishman and Melanie Hall
A family celebrates the fall holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah by building a sukkah, dancing with the Torah and other Jewish holiday customs. Chagall-like illustrations by Melanie Hall.