A Child's First Book of Jewish Holidays [Hardcover]

Alfred J. Kolatch (Author), Harry Araten (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This thoroughly engaging introduction to the major Jewish holidays by the creators of The Jewish Childs First Book of Why will delight children ages three to six. Bright and colorful illustrations add fun and excitement to each holiday presentation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Shabbat plus twelve holidays are presented in simple terms to introduce the first-time reader to the joys of their celebrations. A wonderful gift." -- Jewish World News

Shabbat plus twelve holidays are presented in simple terms to introduce the first-time reader to the joys of their celebrations. A wonderful gift. -- Jewish World News

About the Author

Alfred J. Kolatch, a graduate of the Teachers Institute of Yeshiva University and its College of Liberal Arts, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which subsequently awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa. From 1941 to 1948 he served as rabbi of congregations in Columbia, South Carolina, and Kew Gardens, New York, and as a chaplain in the United States Army. In 1948 he founded Jonathan David Publishers, of which he has since been president and editor-in-chief.

Rabbi Kolatch has authored numerous books, the most popular of which are Great Jewish Quotations, How to Live a Jewish Life, What Jews Say About God, This Is the Torah, and the best-selling Jewish Book of Why and its sequel, The Second Jewish Book of Why. Several of his works deal with nomenclature, about which he is an acknowledged authority. The New Name Dictionary and The Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names are his most recent works on the subject. Other books by the author include Our Religion: The Torah, The Jewish Heritage Quiz Book, The Jewish Mourner's Book of Why, Who's Who in the Talmud, and The Family Seder.

In addition to his scholarly work, Rabbi Kolatch is interested in the work of the military chaplaincy and has served as president of the Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces and as vice-president of the interdenominational Military Chaplains Association of the United States.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Harry Araten grew up, studied, and worked in New York City. Currently residing in Israel with his wife, Rachel, and their children, he is the illustrator of The Jewish Child's First Book of Why, Classic Bible Stories for Jewish Children, and Welcome, Baby!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Publishers (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824603931
• ISBN-13: 978-0824603939
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holidays from season to season, November 25, 2000

By 

Michelle Tropper (Scotch Plains, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Jewish Holidays (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent way for me to introduce the holidays throughout the year to my young children. The book sequences the holidays throughout the seasons of the year, so it's also a good tool for teaching about the seasons and when the holidays occur. My four-year old often enjoys this book as a bedtime story, anytime of the year. This is a good, general reference for all the Jewish holidays.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Simplistic, October 8, 2005

By 

J. H. "vamomof2" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Jewish Holidays (Hardcover)

This book was too easy for my 5-year-old. She wanted more information than this book provided. It was better for my 2-year-old.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good description of the holidays!, May 13, 2009

By 

Danielle A. Frank "Creative Girl" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Child's First Book of Jewish Holidays (Hardcover)

I was looking for a book to start to read to my 2 year old which explained what the holidays are ABOUT, not just how we celebrate them. I don't want the story of Passover to be reduced to the Afikomen! I wanted a book to put in words that children could understand that the Jews were slaves in Egypt and they escaped slavery and were free! If you're looking to teach your kids how to celebrate the holidays, this might be an OK book. If you're looking to teach them WHY we celebrate the holidays...keep on looking.