Something New for Rosh Hashanah

by Jane Yolen, Christine Battuz (Illustrator)

Becca refuses to try any news foods, until her family persuades her that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time to try something new. While dad suggests shaving off his mustache for a new look, and mom thinks she'll take up knitting as a new project, Becca decides she's ready to try something new, too!

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Food, Childrens, Family, Holiday

24 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2021

About the author

Jane Yolen was a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who wrote more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lived in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Brandon Khan]

2.75

[Anna]

I was not a fan. While the illustrations are adorable, the writing is terrible. I hated the repetition rhyming and the odd timing of situations. We go from Becca not wanting to try various new foods to her dad wanting to shave his mustache off. Then to her mom learning how to knit and Becca wanting a sweater that her mom will knit and then back to Becca not liking to try new foods. She eventually gets real excited about a long green bean and tries it and loves it. She asks for another and apparently will try some new fish dish next year. Bizarre book.

[Riley Gullett]

This book also discusses a introduces a Jewish holiday that is great for students to see and experience different cultures/holidays. It is the Jewish New Year! This book goes along the storyline of the main character being a picky eater and going through different categories of food she refuses the try. Eventually at the end of the book, trying something new! This story is great for kids to not be scared to try new things while also learning about an important holiday from a different culture.

[Kathryn]

More of a slice-of-life story than particularly "educational" about Rosh Hashanah (though there is a brief "About Rosh Hashanah" at the back) but nothing wrong with that. However, if you are not already familiar with the holiday you may need to look up some of the words as there is no glossary. It's interesting being about a little girl who doesn't like to try new things, when Rosh Hashanah is about newness. The rhyme scheme was sometimes cute and fun and sometimes a bit annoying.

[SamSamSam]

SING, PRINT AWARENESS (september)

[Marrin]

Food issues.

[Clementine]

i did not understand the jumps in terms of trying new things and found the rhyming text to be annoying. cute illustrations but this was a miss.

[Carol Gordon Ekster]

This rhythmic text and adorable illustrations makes this a great read aloud for Rosh Hashanah. I love that it's a different plot than the usual Jewish New Year story. Well done!

[Heather McC]

Becca is reluctant to try new foods, experiences, anything, until a special dinner.