The World's Birthday: A Rosh Hashanah Story

PreSchool-Grade 3-- Daniel loves to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. When his father tells him that part of the Rosh Hashanah tradition is to celebrate the creation of the world, the boy is determined to have a birthday party, including cake, for it. His sister mocks him, his parents humor him, but the baker gives him several boxes of candles because, "after all, the world is no young chicken." That night Daniel leads everyone outside, and, under the sky, lights the candles. This is a delightful holiday story about a young child making his own personal connection to belief and ritual. Each full-page watercolor illustration is juxtaposed with a full page of text; the gentle colors and earnest, wide-eyed expressions add greatly to the strength of the text. This is not a book to provide information about the holiday, but it is a strong commitment to faith in a way that is perfectly comprehensible to children. --Micki S. Nevett, Temple Beth Emeth Library, Albany, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.