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The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story
Loosely based on the Hasidic legend "The Tear of Repentance", The Hardest Word is a story about forgiveness. The Ziz, a wonderful bird who lived long ago, is so big and clumsy that he can't keep from bumping into things. When a tree he knocks over destroys the children's garden, he seeks God's help to fix things. "Bring me the hardest word," God instructs him, and the Ziz flies off to search. He brings back words like rhinocerous, rock, and Rumplestiltskin, but none is acceptable, until he makes an important discovery. Praise for The Hardest A Yom Kippur Story
“This delightful take, featuring a loveable, klutzy bird teaching the essential lessons of the High Holidays, is just perfect! . . . This book is a must!” ― San Diego Jewish Times “The very complicated lessons of atonement and forgiveness on Yom Kippur are introduced to children in a warm and humorous story.”― Washington Jewish Week A NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARDS FINALIST AN ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK
“This delightful take, featuring a loveable, klutzy bird teaching the essential lessons of the High Holidays, is just perfect! . . . This book is a must!” ― San Diego Jewish Times “The very complicated lessons of atonement and forgiveness on Yom Kippur are introduced to children in a warm and humorous story.”― Washington Jewish Week A NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARDS FINALIST AN ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
4 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Jules
79 books91 followersI am a children's author, teacher, librarian, and poet. My books include the Zapato Power series, the Sofia Martinez series, Pluto is Peeved, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, Duck for Turkey Day, Never Say a Mean Word Again, and Feathers for Peacock. Please visit me at http://www.jacquelinejules.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 24, 2020
The Ziz, a fabled bird from Jewish folklore said to be so large his wings could block out the sun, accidentally destroys a children's vegetable garden when he isn't looking where he is going one day. Although sometimes clumsy, he is never malicious, and is immediately worried by the fact that he has ruined the garden - a mistake he can't put right. Seeking advice from God, the Ziz is instructed to search the world for the hardest word, but although he flies back and forth, and returns with many difficult words, he can't seem to find the right one. Admitting defeat, he says "sorry," thereby discovering the hardest word, and a tool he can use to make restitution for the harm he has caused...
Based upon the Hasidic legend The Tear of Repentance, The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story offers an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming examination of the central theme of Yom Kippur: repentance and restitution for one's wrongdoing. Author Jacqueline Jules' story is engaging, and is presented in a way that will be relatable for children (and perhaps also adults), many of whom do indeed find saying "sorry" to be difficult. The accompanying artwork from illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn, who is also responsible for the illustrations in the Sammy Spider series about the Jewish holidays, is bright and appealing. I liked the use of color here, and the incorporation of words into the visuals, in the later scenes in the book. Apparently this title was selected by the PJ Library, a non-profit organization that sends free Jewish-themed children's books to Jewish families in the US, Canada and more than a dozen other countries, as part of their collection. This program was inspired by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which has sent over 100 million free books to needy children since its inception.
Both sound like worthy projects indeed! The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story is one I would Recommend to picture-book readers looking for Yom Kippur stories. It could also be used as a Sukkot story, as the vegetables in the garden are intended for the children's sukkahs.
Based upon the Hasidic legend The Tear of Repentance, The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story offers an entertaining and ultimately heartwarming examination of the central theme of Yom Kippur: repentance and restitution for one's wrongdoing. Author Jacqueline Jules' story is engaging, and is presented in a way that will be relatable for children (and perhaps also adults), many of whom do indeed find saying "sorry" to be difficult. The accompanying artwork from illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn, who is also responsible for the illustrations in the Sammy Spider series about the Jewish holidays, is bright and appealing. I liked the use of color here, and the incorporation of words into the visuals, in the later scenes in the book. Apparently this title was selected by the PJ Library, a non-profit organization that sends free Jewish-themed children's books to Jewish families in the US, Canada and more than a dozen other countries, as part of their collection. This program was inspired by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which has sent over 100 million free books to needy children since its inception.
Both sound like worthy projects indeed! The Hardest Word: A Yom Kippur Story is one I would Recommend to picture-book readers looking for Yom Kippur stories. It could also be used as a Sukkot story, as the vegetables in the garden are intended for the children's sukkahs.
March 20, 2017
6 stars! the first 6star book i've read this year.
one of the most beautifully illustrated books i've ever seen
one of the most beautifully illustrated books i've ever seen
October 4, 2019
Good accessible story
A story that makes the idea of Yom Kippur accessible to young children. Suitable for all religions, as well. Pictures are a fine accompaniment. Based on a Hasidic tale, but adapted....
A story that makes the idea of Yom Kippur accessible to young children. Suitable for all religions, as well. Pictures are a fine accompaniment. Based on a Hasidic tale, but adapted....
November 16, 2020
To start off, the illustration in this books are phenomenal! The illustrator uses great detail when it comes to forming the illustration with an abundance of line and color. The story teaches children a lesson a on the world's hardest word, which they explain is, "sorry." The author uses examples and shows why sorry is the hardest word for us as humans. The protagonists realizes this by forming experiences and talking to God.
August 28, 2020
A delightful book about the hardest word, "sorry."
Even though this book is intended for Yom Kippur, it has great implication for social and emotional development for all children.
It is a great book to add to your collection for health, or for studying ancient history from either a Jewish, Messianic, or Christian perspective if you are studying religious holidays.
Even though this book is intended for Yom Kippur, it has great implication for social and emotional development for all children.
It is a great book to add to your collection for health, or for studying ancient history from either a Jewish, Messianic, or Christian perspective if you are studying religious holidays.
October 13, 2024
3.4
A child who is learning to spell and read will question the idea of 'hardest word.' What makes it hard? the spelling? pronunciation? knowing when/how to use it?
It'll be interesting to hear what kids have to say about this story. Do they think the hardest word is a hard word?
I learned a new word: ziz
A child who is learning to spell and read will question the idea of 'hardest word.' What makes it hard? the spelling? pronunciation? knowing when/how to use it?
It'll be interesting to hear what kids have to say about this story. Do they think the hardest word is a hard word?
I learned a new word: ziz
September 15, 2021
A little abstract and vague, and the part where the bird was talking to God was, like, slightly questionable for children who are still forming a concept of religion. . . but I really liked the message and the conversation it brought up.
November 25, 2019
It is hard to find a book about Yom Kippur for children. This one is lovely. And for all of us always - on how hard it is to say "I'm sorry."
October 1, 2020
LOVE this story!!! A good lesson, but also a super fun and very Jewish story!
October 18, 2022
Good allegory.
September 25, 2023
I had the kids guess the hardest word and asked them to think about what had happened before - the got it. Kait first said peace, which led Maddie to sorry.
June 1, 2012
This is a sweet exploration of words as the Ziz tries to fulfill the task which God gave him. To find the hardest word...I'm sorry.
My Take
I have to confess, I thought the word was going to be "no", but Jules definitely has the hardest phrase for just about anyone to utter. My only complaint is that I wish Jules had made it a bit more emotional for the Ziz to actually tell the children he was sorry. I think it would have had a greater impact on her target audience, cause them to think more.
This would be a great "interactive" story with several kids participating as the Ziz brings back the different words and the kids and storyteller could discuss why they thought it was a hard word.
Absolutely glorious pictures in this book. You can't help but feel good as you read it!
The Story
The Ziz is a great, big, beautiful bird who loves children and people, but he's a bit of a klutz and doesn't always think. After his latest calamity, the Ziz asks God what he can possibly do to fix it. Again. So God sets the Ziz on a monumental task. He must find the hardest word and bring it to God.
The Cover
It's a big, bright rainbow of a cover with the Ziz striding across a mountain. You can't help but fall in love just looking at this great big Ziz of a bird!
It's true, and more accurately, it's a phrase that is The Hardest Word.
My Take
I have to confess, I thought the word was going to be "no", but Jules definitely has the hardest phrase for just about anyone to utter. My only complaint is that I wish Jules had made it a bit more emotional for the Ziz to actually tell the children he was sorry. I think it would have had a greater impact on her target audience, cause them to think more.
This would be a great "interactive" story with several kids participating as the Ziz brings back the different words and the kids and storyteller could discuss why they thought it was a hard word.
Absolutely glorious pictures in this book. You can't help but feel good as you read it!
The Story
The Ziz is a great, big, beautiful bird who loves children and people, but he's a bit of a klutz and doesn't always think. After his latest calamity, the Ziz asks God what he can possibly do to fix it. Again. So God sets the Ziz on a monumental task. He must find the hardest word and bring it to God.
The Cover
It's a big, bright rainbow of a cover with the Ziz striding across a mountain. You can't help but fall in love just looking at this great big Ziz of a bird!
It's true, and more accurately, it's a phrase that is The Hardest Word.
September 2, 2020
This children's book introduces a difficult topic--what is the hardest word? Told through the eyes of a big yellow bird (but not Big Bird!), he keeps making mistakes. He actually managed to crush all the vegetables in the children's community garden. What can he do? G-d sends him out (like a dove in Noah's story) to find the hardest word. Do you know what it is?
Bright colored illustrations are engaging and joyful.
It is a great way to introduce teshuva, return, repentance, to children and adults.
Based on the Hasidic Legend, "The Tear of Repentance." I need to now find the original.In this new edition, the back flap contains an art project, a kindness wheel. Perfect for the theme of chesed for this year coming year.
Bright colored illustrations are engaging and joyful.
It is a great way to introduce teshuva, return, repentance, to children and adults.
Based on the Hasidic Legend, "The Tear of Repentance." I need to now find the original.In this new edition, the back flap contains an art project, a kindness wheel. Perfect for the theme of chesed for this year coming year.
April 1, 2015
The illustrations are beautiful. The beautiful huge bird flies around the world, and causes damage. He is able to fix the first damage, but not the second. He goes to a mountain to ask God what he can do to make things right. God tells him to go out and find the hardest word. He brings back many good words, but finally tells God he is sorry, he just couldn't find the hardest word. God tells him he just found the hardest word. The bird goes back to say he is sorry, and makes up with a gift of the fruits and vegetables, that he had ruined. He brings in the celebration of Yom Kipper, in a very easy way. Lovely children's book.
October 29, 2011
A delightful tail with intriguing storyline and impressive moral. Fits well with the contemplation of Yom Kippur. Encourages kids to consider the impact of their actions upon others and 'make things right' when they have wronged someone. Colorful illustrations.
We enjoyed this book. Our home library could be complete without it, but it is a nice literature selection for learning about themes of Yom Kippur. Sukkot is also mentioned.
We enjoyed this book. Our home library could be complete without it, but it is a nice literature selection for learning about themes of Yom Kippur. Sukkot is also mentioned.
March 4, 2013
I do like this book series - the Ziz just reminds me so much of what it is to be a child and to constantly feel like you're not sure how to do the "right thing" to make your parents happy. This is a great description of how important it is to mean your apologies and make things right when you hurt other.
June 1, 2015
I think the book is a very nice. The repetition, the message, the illustrations and the religious connections all come together to deliver a wonderful story. The story showed that the hardest word may not be the hardest to hear or hardest to pronounce. The story shows us that the hardest word can be the one that is difficult to say.
October 20, 2011
Wonderful story about saying sorry for young children. Loosely about Yom Kippur.
January 20, 2015
I recommend this book.
May 5, 2015
Ziz is so clumsy! I absolutely loved this story and the message it sends to kids who read it. I definitely think this is a book that many children will enjoy.
January 24, 2015
I enjoyed this story about learning the value of repentance. I love the connection to the religious holiday of Yom Kippur.
September 17, 2015
More of a generic apology book than one specific to Yom Kippur, the bird's eyes are illustrated so as to look like dorky glasses. This, of course, makes him adorable.
September 28, 2015
Great story
Great story for Yom Kippur (or anytime) for saying sorry. Beautiful illustrations. Creative fiction. Cute for age 8 and under.
Great story for Yom Kippur (or anytime) for saying sorry. Beautiful illustrations. Creative fiction. Cute for age 8 and under.
May 2, 2020
Sweet story of learning to apologise, including some Jewish folklore.
May 11, 2015
A silly book that teaches a great lesson about forgiveness and apology!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews