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Sammy Spider
Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah
Sammy Spider wants to taste the golden honey the Shapiros set out for a sweet New Year. Mom tells him to stick to spinning webs, but will curious Sammy listen?
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 15, 2020
Sammy Spider questions his mother about the curious actions of the Shapiros, the human family whose house also provides him a home, in this holiday picture-book. She explains that the Shapiros are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the two arachnids observe the humans putting out cards they have received, making challah, slicing apples, setting out honey, and going off to synagogue for services...
In 1993 author Sylvia A. Rouss and illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn published Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah , the first of many picture-book devoted to the curious spider's discovery of various Jewish holidays. Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah is the third in that series, but the first I have picked up. It featured a simple but engaging look at the customs of this time in the Jewish calendar, and appealing collage-style artwork. I had encountered Kahn's work before, in Carol Levin's A Rosh Hashanah Walk , where I was not at all impressed, but her style here is quite different to that in the other book. I enjoyed the use of color here, and the folk-art sensibility, and will definitely track down more books in this series. Recommended to picture-book readers interested in Rosh Hashanah.
In 1993 author Sylvia A. Rouss and illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn published Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah , the first of many picture-book devoted to the curious spider's discovery of various Jewish holidays. Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah is the third in that series, but the first I have picked up. It featured a simple but engaging look at the customs of this time in the Jewish calendar, and appealing collage-style artwork. I had encountered Kahn's work before, in Carol Levin's A Rosh Hashanah Walk , where I was not at all impressed, but her style here is quite different to that in the other book. I enjoyed the use of color here, and the folk-art sensibility, and will definitely track down more books in this series. Recommended to picture-book readers interested in Rosh Hashanah.
February 26, 2023
This book has more going for it than most books ever written imho.
February 13, 2021
Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah
(children's story, fiction, animal story, Judaica, Rosh Hashanah
Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah by Sylvia Rouss introduces the symbols and traditions of Rosh Hashanah to children. It's a cute story about a little spider who pesters his mother with question after question about the things that he sees. As he learns about Rosh Hashanah, the reader will too.
Best for preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. Enjoyable read aloud!
Kelly Wilson
Teacher and Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
(children's story, fiction, animal story, Judaica, Rosh Hashanah
Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah by Sylvia Rouss introduces the symbols and traditions of Rosh Hashanah to children. It's a cute story about a little spider who pesters his mother with question after question about the things that he sees. As he learns about Rosh Hashanah, the reader will too.
Best for preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. Enjoyable read aloud!
Kelly Wilson
Teacher and Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
February 24, 2012
(silly rabbit, trix, are for kids - that has nothing to do w/the story but you'll be thinking it.
September 30, 2024
"Silly Little Sammy, spiders don't celebrate" holidays, "spiders spin webs."
Over thirty years ago, Sylvia Rouss wrote about a curious little spider who lived in a Jewish family's home and wanted to learn more about the holiday celebrated by the Shapiros. Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah became a classic that launched a beloved series. The curious spider would dangle over the family activities, and as Sammy learned all about the holiday, so did the kids listening to the story. His mom would chant the now famous refrain, "Silly Sammy, spiders don't ...".celebrate a holiday or do a certain custom, "Spiders spin webs." The collage style illustrations by Katherine Janus Kahn capture the eye and the multicolored spider is now a classic of Jewish children's literature. This third book in the series teaches customs and symbols of Rosh Hashanah, but also teaches the concept of different sizes as well. Reminiscent of the three bears, throughout the story, the Shapiros each have large, medium and small items.
Unlike many stories that are aimed solely at Jewish children, this series does a great job of explaining customs and the books are a perfect way to teach kids of any background a little about the holiday.
Over thirty years ago, Sylvia Rouss wrote about a curious little spider who lived in a Jewish family's home and wanted to learn more about the holiday celebrated by the Shapiros. Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah became a classic that launched a beloved series. The curious spider would dangle over the family activities, and as Sammy learned all about the holiday, so did the kids listening to the story. His mom would chant the now famous refrain, "Silly Sammy, spiders don't ...".celebrate a holiday or do a certain custom, "Spiders spin webs." The collage style illustrations by Katherine Janus Kahn capture the eye and the multicolored spider is now a classic of Jewish children's literature. This third book in the series teaches customs and symbols of Rosh Hashanah, but also teaches the concept of different sizes as well. Reminiscent of the three bears, throughout the story, the Shapiros each have large, medium and small items.
Unlike many stories that are aimed solely at Jewish children, this series does a great job of explaining customs and the books are a perfect way to teach kids of any background a little about the holiday.
January 22, 2025
Layered into this book are one set of concepts and one major holiday in Judaism. On top of all that, it's a lighthearted book, utterly delightful.
Which are the concepts for learning?
* Large
* Medium
* And small
Which is the holiday? Rosh Hashanah. Just the right amount of info is supplied to suit a picture book reader.
I love that the book ends with a fabulous play on words. Plus, a happy ending. Well done, author Sylvia A. Rouss.
As for the illustrations, by Katherine Janus Kahn? Just lovely, and very original!
FIVE STARS
This reaches readers where they live. I also happen to really like this book, personally like it.
Which are the concepts for learning?
* Large
* Medium
* And small
Which is the holiday? Rosh Hashanah. Just the right amount of info is supplied to suit a picture book reader.
I love that the book ends with a fabulous play on words. Plus, a happy ending. Well done, author Sylvia A. Rouss.
As for the illustrations, by Katherine Janus Kahn? Just lovely, and very original!
FIVE STARS
This reaches readers where they live. I also happen to really like this book, personally like it.
September 20, 2020
Gorgeous illustrations! A perfect “storytelling” book. For those unfamiliar with the Jewish faith there may be value incorporating other lessons to learn vocabulary. The message of the story is wonderful. I love the way the spider is incorporated into the Shapiro family’s world.
September 28, 2019
This was a lovely book introducing children to Rosh Hashana. I enjoyed learning through the spiders.
December 10, 2020
A great Rosh Hashanah story for young children.
July 23, 2023
Cute little book
February 6, 2013
The unusual spider theme caught my eye!
August 16, 2016
Really enjoy the art work in this; collage style.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews