(3) PS Illustrated by Christine Grove. "Today is Friday. On Fridays I wait...and wait...and wait." A boy eagerly anticipates the arrival of Shabbat as his family members grocery shop, buy flowers, do laundry, and cook. Finally, when the sun goes down and everyone sits down for a festive meal, "Shabbat is here." The cheery illustrations depict a perpetually smiling, interracial family enjoying their holiday preparations.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) PS Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo. Serviceable rhyming text accurately and cheerfully describes signs that the Jewish New Year is approaching, in terms of both season (late summer/early fall) and traditions (eating apples and honey, blowing the shofar, gathering for meals). Simple, bright illustrations with plenty of apt autumn colors show a diverse Jewish community enjoying the holiday.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) PS Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo. A sometimes-forced rhyming text describes the lead-up to Purim, including the change in seasons and activities such as baking hamantaschen and making costumes. Simple, cheerful illustrations show family and friends celebrating. It's a useful introduction to many aspects of the holiday, including a brief reference to its origin ("When we read... / that Queen Esther's great bravery protected the Jews... / Purim is here!").

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) PS Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo. A simple rhyming text lists signs that Sukkot is coming, including the change in seasons, and the steps of building a sukkah; warm, spacious illustrations show a multiracial family decorating and celebrating. The text encourages excitement about Sukkot and gives plenty of details about the what of the holiday, though readers may need to turn elsewhere for the why.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) PS Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo. Simple rhymes and a repetitive refrain depict one family getting ready to celebrate Passover. The children look for signs of spring outside and signs of cleaning inside while many ritual aspects of the holiday are incorporated. The illustrations are bright, engaging, and evocative of springtime but don't always align with the text: e.g., "the sun's getting low" appears on a sunny daylight spread.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) PS Illustrated by Alessandra Psacharopulo. "When frosty winds blow and snow's all around / And there's no sign of green on the trees or the ground... / Hanukkah is on its way." In a quiet text, two children eagerly await the holiday, first frolicking outdoors with forest animals, then playing inside. Anticipation builds as the trappings of Hanukkah appear--decorations, guests, a menorah, dreidels. Warm, soft-hued illustrations have an old-fashioned look.

Reviewer: Jennifer Taylor | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015