Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

The creators of Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights, hit a high note with this picture book about the traditions surrounding the Jewish High Holy Days, or Days of Awe. The house is abuzz with excitement as the relatives gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and then 10 days later, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In this time of prayers, good food and good times, Uncle Jake plays a special role: he will blow the shofar, or ram's horn, during the service at the synagogue. Kimmelman includes a wealth of information about the tastes (challah and apples with honey), sights (the stained glass synagogue windows) and sounds (the shofar, the cantor and the rabbi) of the holiday season in her energetic text, making it highly accessible to very young children. Himmelman's cozy, lighthearted paintings feature an extended family--including a spunky litter of orange tabby cats--enjoying themselves and reaffirming their Jewish faith. Ages 3-6. (Aug.)