(2) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. "Did you ever wonder HOW a menorah is made?" Ofanansky spotlights three artists working with different materials to craft menorahs; she also highlights a candle-maker and explores the olive oil–harvesting process. The conversational text provides history and details about Hanukkah and presents simple tips young readers can use to make their own menorahs, dreidels, and holiday treats. Vivid photographs in a scrapbook-like format engagingly capture the hands-on details.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of two ancient temples in Jerusalem, has "become a symbol of Jewish suffering and loss." With few children's books on the topic, this unique photo-essay focuses on contemporary children from a religious Israeli family, who visit the archaeological sites and learn about the temples and holiday practices. More about Tisha B'Av is appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. This book focuses on the steps of and rules for making matzo by hand or by machine. A few spreads give broader context about Passover; some layouts include more elements than necessary. Text and photos acknowledge differences within the Jewish community, and activities encourage readers to make matzo or other Passover-related items (some of which require adult supervision unmentioned in the text).

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. This book honors both tradition and modernity by looking at the many different ways that Torah scrolls are made and used--artistically, historically, textually, and religiously. The text is organized around specific tasks and the artisans involved; activities and questions encourage readers to further their understanding. Page layouts are slightly haphazard, but the photographs mirror the diversity of the Jewish people.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. A family goes camping in Israel to celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the new month. Clear text explains the significance of the new moon in Jewish tradition and delves quite deeply into an age-appropriate scientific explanation; food, culture, and geography are also incorporated. Intimate family photographs are interspersed with nature shots. A craft activity and further information are appended. A glossary would have been helpful.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Elsa Oriol. David is a sofer, or Torah scribe. He has a collection of damaged Torahs, including ones rescued from the Holocaust and Hurricane Katrina. One day, his granddaughter inspires him to use those scrolls to create a "recycled Torah." Accompanied by dark acrylic and gouache illustrations, the story is ponderous but effectively conveys the importance of honoring tradition and history.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. In this photo essay, students in Israel grow wheat, harvest it, turn it into flour and, using cheese from goats at a petting zoo, make cheesecake for Shavuot. The reader follows the process from the fall planting to the spring harvest. Vivid color photographs buoy the straightforward but bland text. The recipe and a note about Shavuot conclude the book.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. A group of students visit an Israeli bee farm and learn about how honey is made, just in time for Rosh Hashanah. Sharp color photographs against autumn-hued backdrops show the children enjoying the day. The text, though bland, delivers copious facts about bees and honey, which may be interesting to Jewish children preparing for the holiday. "Fun Facts" are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. With her parents, a little girl in Israel sets out to find the "four species" of Sukkot for the holiday celebration. Straightforward first-person text and clear photographs encourage readers to join the family on their search for palm, willow, myrtle, and etrog. A brief explanation of Sukkot and "Fun Facts" explaining the significance of each item are appended.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(2) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. An Israeli girl describes her family's olive harvest. Beginning in springtime, the story moves through autumn as the olives mature and are pressed. The tale culminates with the family lighting the Hanukkah menorah with oil from their harvest. The warm-hearted narrative is enhanced by its many photographs of the olive grove and machinery and more intimate images of a contemporary Israeli family.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008