(3) PS Illustrated by Maria Mola. This board book, a welcome example of Sephardic Jewish representation for the preschool set, introduces the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Simple rhyming couplets name traditions, and a refrain gives new year greetings in both Ladino (“Anyada Buena!”) and Hebrew “(Shanah Tovah!”). The cheerful text and illustrations emphasize holiday foods and family.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Diana Mayo. In singsong rhyming text, a first-person narrator reflects on a sibling argument during Rosh Hashanah services. At Tashlich, the ritual of throwing breadcrumbs or other material into the water to represent sins, the narrator delivers a heartfelt apology. A welcome depiction of Rosh Hashanah rituals and their meaning. Illustrations in pink and pastel tones make the characters’ emotions evident. Back matter includes a glossary and expands on both Tashlich and apologies.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. This nonfiction picture book (likely with invented dialogue) begins with the first White House Passover Seder, in 2011, and then flashes back to the new tradition’s origins on Barack Obama’s campaign trail the previous year, when Jewish staff members missed their family Seders. The (somewhat lengthy) text presents Passover and the biblical Exodus story accessibly and makes connections to Obama and earlier civil rights figures. Varied perspectives in the watercolor illustrations add visual interest. Back matter gives more information about the first White House Seder.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Noa Kelner. “Shabbat is unique and beautiful for every person.” This picture book presents a spectrum of ways to spend the Jewish Sabbath, with inclusive representation in areas including skin tone, gender identity (a b’nai mitzvah ceremony for a nonbinary character), and types of observance, from avoiding the use of technology to playing guitar at services. The mixed-media illustrations are as warm and positive as the straightforward text. An author’s note and a glossary are appended.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Erica J. Chen. A family of excited cats prepares for and celebrates Passover: they clean the house, set the table, pray and sing at the seder, and eat a special meal. The singsongy rhymes and cat-themed puns (“Meow-nishtanah...” begins the cat chanting the Four Questions) can grow tiresome, but the book is faithful to the traditions of the holiday. Energetic if somewhat one-note illustrations show the kitties having a blast. Instructions for making a “meow-tzah cover” are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Shannon Hochman. In this collection of fourteen Passover-themed tales by different authors -- Laurel Snyder, Adam Gidwitz, Veera Hiranandani, among others -- one story is assigned to each step of the Seder. Each piece is preceded by an explanation of that step and four reflection questions. The engaging tales cover a vast range of Jewish experiences, including emigration from Eastern Europe and Cuba, Orthodox family life, women's varied roles in Jewish ritual, and interfaith families; as well as parts of life beyond the holiday, including losing a grandparent, coming out, being bullied, and neurodiversity. Most readers will find something that speaks to them and reflects who they are. The formats are also diverse, including realistic fiction, autobiography, fantasy, verse, and a story partially told in comics format. The tales invite readers to think about their personal relationships to the themes of family, freedom, and identity. Hochman's stark and atmospheric black-and-white drawings at the start of each story may remind readers of some Haggadah illustrations. Appended recipes invite hands-on interaction.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Siona Benjamin. The Bene Israel, one of the "three largest groups of Jews in India," arrived around 175 BCE. They were fleeing the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes just before "the Maccabean Revolt...better known as the story of Hanukkah." Lyons's tale begins with a nani (grandmother) telling her granddaughter about their ancestors' dangerous sea voyage. A storm hits, and there are few survivors; those who do make it are welcomed to Alibag, India, a place where people "had their own religions, but respected the new traditions brought from far away." Benjamin's sumptuous-hued mixed-media illustrations swirl with color and movement in this story of an underrepresented aspect of Jewish history.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mariia Kolker. Hannah’s relatives always come for Passover, but they can’t make it this year. Instead, Hannah and her parents invite a diverse group of friends, all of whom bring contributions with nods to their own cultural backgrounds. An inviting (if somewhat wordy) introduction to Passover, including the holiday’s emphasis on welcoming guests. Illustrations in a pastel palette include accurate Seder details, and back matter includes more information about the holiday, a glossary, and a matzah recipe.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Smart. This book opens at a suspenseful point in its subject's story: "Even with war raging around them [in 1995], the people of Sarajevo were worrying about a book." The text then flashes back and gives the history of a hand-painted, hand-lettered Haggadah (guide for the Passover seder) given as a wedding gift in Spain around 1350 and passed from generation to generation and place to place. It survived the Spanish Inquisition...and scribbles and wine spills...before being sold to the National Museum in Sarajevo in 1894. Strauss spotlights the ways the rare Haggadah became "everybody's treasure"; e.g., a Muslim curator and a Catholic museum director each had a hand in protecting it from the Nazis. Her accessible text clearly explains key moments in the book's sweeping history. Smart's illustrations portray these moments with varied compositions and perspectives, keeping pages turning. In addition to depictions of the Haggadah itself, occasional borders nod at its intricate design. Source notes or other more extensive back matter (beyond the brief author's note) would have enhanced this title, but it serves as an engaging introduction to a volume with a remarkable history.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) K-3 Framing the book as an autobiographical recollection, Raschka provides a guide to "Saint Spotting," a sort of game he and his mother would play while visiting a (saints-having) Christian church and looking for the images of saints throughout. For each of the thirty-plus saints shown in small, icon-like watercolor vignettes, Raschka provides a thumbnail, child-friendly description of how the saint is generally portrayed ("Saint Nicholas's symbol is three bags of gold, which he gave to the poor") and why he or she is remembered ("Our story of Santa Claus comes from him"). While the tone is always gentle and devout, Raschka is honest about the gruesome appeal of some of the hagiographical detail, such as Saint Lucy's eyes on a ­platter and Saint Sebastian's piercings ("Saint Sebastian was always my favorite, because he's easy to spot"). When the narrator and his mother get to the front of the church and the images of Jesus and Mary, Raschka explains the Crucifixion well enough but, oddly, omits any mention or image of the Resurrection. But the book is respectful, agreeably idiosyncratic, and conveys much of the mystery of a space deemed sacred. The tall and narrow orientation of the volume suggests both a church spire and a tourist's guidebook and definitely invites opening.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(3) PS Illustrated by Hatem Aly. "As-salaamu Alaykum!" Young readers are welcomed to a mosque brimming with faithful family, friends, and community. A child narrator tells us about the people, sights, and sounds encountered in their mosque; engaging digital illustrations incorporate scans of ink washes, textures, and patterns that add culturally meaningful detail to the colorful scenes. Both text and art convey some tenets of Islam and emphasize the mosque's role as a place for faith and celebration. An author's note provides some more information; an annotated list of historic mosques around the world might inspire further research. A glossary and source list are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 DePaola distills the Nativity story of the Three Wise Men in this gorgeous book first published in 1983, the sumptuous acrylic paintings glowing with blues, greens, and pinks. A brief text follows kings Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar as they discover and follow a new, unfamiliar star; consult with the malign Herod; proceed to Bethlehem to deliver their gifts to the baby Jesus; and then, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, return to their home countries. An informative note describes the evolution of the story, beginning with its first, detail-less written account in the Gospel of Matthew (the names and number of the Wise Men were added later). A welcome reissue of another title in dePaola's copious Christmas oeuvre.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(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) K-3 Illustrated by Mélanie Florian. Marcy's excited to be the question-asker at her Passover seder, since "she knew a lot about questions. She asked them all the time." But her four questions--e.g., "Are worms kosher for Passover?"--aren't what her family expected. It's a gentle misunderstanding with a satisfying resolution; cartoonlike, emotive illustrations capture Marcy's enthusiasm. The actual Four Questions (and their answers) are included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Koffsky retells the biblical story of Creation through the colors of each new day. "In the beginning there was nothing," and the accompanying illustrations are shades of gray and black. On day six, God created people, and "soon there were many, many more in every shade and hue." Koffsky's textural, layered cut-paper collages give readers a new perspective on a familiar story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Aisato. This is a lyrical meditation on Christ's birth, told by His mother Mary as the newborn sleeps in her arms. "Can you believe it? God's anointed one upon my breast, with milk, just there, at the corner of his tiny mouth." Although unduly ponderous for a picture-book audience, the text reads aloud beautifully, and the watery, speckled illustrations convey the humble humanity of mother and Child alike.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sonya Abby Soekarno. Accompanied by colorful cartoonlike illustrations, half-page first-person narratives introduce fifteen Old and New Testament women, including Eve, Hagar, Miriam, and Mary Magdalene. Each entry ends with the refrain: "God did great things for me--and I did great things for God." The relevant biblical verse is taken from the New International Version. The whole is slight, but religious or home settings may find this useful.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniele Fabbri. Bezalel, an Israelite slave in Ancient Egypt, collects unusual things. When the Exodus begins, the boy insists on bringing his Beautiful Things Box with him. When God asks Moses to build a mishkan, a house filled with beautiful things, Bezalel is the only one ready to provide treasures. Soft paintings convey a sense of wonder in this unusual retelling of a biblical story (discussed in the author's note).

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Understanding World Religions and Beliefs series. These primers take on each faith's history, beliefs, politics, and contemporary issues. The well-designed, accessible volumes include plenty of photos and other images; the series' broad scope results in a few errors (Judaism doesn't mention Halacha (Jewish law) or the Shulchan Aruch, which codifies the law; Christianity conflates communion with confirmation in the Catholic Church). Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding World Religions and Beliefs titles: Understanding Christianity, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Buddhism, Understanding the Nonreligious, Understanding Scientology, Understanding Islam, Understanding Sikhism, and Understanding Judaism.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Understanding World Religions and Beliefs series. These primers take on each faith's history, beliefs, politics, and contemporary issues. The well-designed, accessible volumes include plenty of photos and other images; the series' broad scope results in a few errors (Judaism doesn't mention Halacha (Jewish law) or the Shulchan Aruch, which codifies the law; Christianity conflates communion with confirmation in the Catholic Church). Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding World Religions and Beliefs titles: Understanding Christianity, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Hinduism, Understanding Buddhism, Understanding the Nonreligious, Understanding Scientology, Understanding Islam, Understanding Sikhism, and Understanding Judaism.

Reviewer: Jack Forman