Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

by Leslie Kimmelman, John Himmelman (Illustrator)

It's Rosh Hashanah, and the loving family of Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights and Hooray! It's Passover gets ready once again for another holiday. After a special dinner, the family goes to synagogue to hear Uncle Jake sound the shofar and bring in the New Year. Ten days later, it's Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. With simple text and glowing illustrations, this story captures the rituals and importance of the ten special days called the Days of Awe or the High Holy Days that Jewish people all around the world celebrate.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Religion

24 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 1998

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator's Uncle Jake practices blowing the shofar - the ram's horn used during the Jewish High Holy Days - in this simple holiday picture-book intended for younger, preschool children. The narrative describes one family's observance of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), while a very brief author's note at the rear gives more information...

Apparently the family in Sound the Shofar!: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur has also appeared in Leslie Kimmelman's Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights and Hooray! It's Passover! , neither of which I have read to date. Although I wouldn't describe it as particularly strong, in the storytelling department, I do think this book would work very well as a basic introduction to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for younger children. The accompanying artwork by John Himmelman is cute, although (like the text) not particularly noteworthy. Recommended to those seeking simple picture-books about the Jewish High Holy Days.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't love the illustration style, I think this book did an excellent job of showcasing the Jewish holidays in a way that is easy to understand. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand more about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!

[Marrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library, not own; all white; randomly four cats, that's fun

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good primary informational narrative about The Day of Awe, the days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. It covers the holiday traditions that are common and what the purpose of the holiday is. It's a good book for reading aloud to an auience that only needs the basics to understand the purpose of the holiday.

[Marya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line of the uncle practicing the shofar gives the book a focus, but it could have embellished this aspect a little further. In a book about, at its heart, sound, the writing lacks a lyrical quality.

Or maybe I'm just not keen on the pictures, which seem to beg for a flipbook style animation.

[Librarylady90 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers all the basics of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur at a preschool level.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informational. A good book for preschool.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alissa's learning abaout Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.