Customer Reviews

Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride (High Holidays)

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The year is 1892 and Engineer Ari is in charge of driving the train on its first trip from Jaffa to Jerusalem. His pride becomes boastful as he brags to his friends about his important job. As he drives the train through Israel, he collects gifts along the way, including apples, honey, and loaves of round challahs. But his joy is tempered with guilt for having mistreated his friends. As Ari approached Jerusalem with all the Rosh Hashana treats, he remembers that during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur it is time to do teshuvah, and decides to drive the train back to his friends to apologize. Kids and trains are a natural combination and the picture book medium is perfect for telling a story of this important time in Israel's history. Without being didactic, Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride teaches youngsters about the importance of kindness, personal responsibility, and forgiveness. Bodin Cohen has not only recreated an important historical event, she seamlessly connects the event to an essential aspect of Judaism. The illustrations capture the essence of various locations throughout Israel. The color palette subtly shifts with each locale, but the train is bright red throughout. The double spread illustration of the train approaching Jerusalem is particularly lovely. An author's note provides background information about the train, which will be of interest to teachers and students. Overall, a wonderful ride for pre-school and primary students, and school libraries. Reviewed Barbara Bietz

Engineer Ari is thrilled because he has been chosen to drive the first train from Jaffa to Jerusalem. On the way through Israel, the train picks up apples, honey, round challahs, and shofars to deliver to the citizens of Jerusalem. It passes by orchards, fields, and hills on its way. These things remind Ari of his friends and the holiday, and he decides to apologize to Jessie and Nathaniel for boasting and making them feel bad. Adorable illustrations that include famous sights of Israel complement the story.

This book combines historical fiction (the first train trip was in 1892), aspects of Rosh Hashanah that includes the foods of the holiday as well as the theme of Teshuvah, and products of Israel. It also manages to literally "stay on track" combining all this information seamlessly to provide a multi-layered story. The only challenge is classifying this book (Rosh Hashanah, Easy Fiction, Israel?) to expose this book to as many patrons as possible. Highly recommended for most Jewish libraries.

REVIEWED BY: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, Managing Editor

In 1892, Ari the Engineer was chosen to drive the very first train from Jaffa to Jerusalem. Nathaniel and Jessie, his friends, were not chosen and were sad. Ari was so happy to be chosen that he bragged too much to his friends and hurt their feelings. But Ari didn't care - he was so excited that he was making this first historic trip to Jerusalem. He was in such a hurry to leave, he didn't even say good-bye to his friends!

As he makes stops along the way, people give him food and treats to bring to the people of Jerusalem to help them celebrate the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Ari started to think of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. He thought of his friends that he'd hurt with his bragging. Did Ari go back to Jaffa and apologize to Nathaniel and Jessie? You'll just have to read this cute book to find out. I loved the storyline and the colorful kid-friendly illustrations. This book gets a high-five for teaching your child all about friendship and compassion. This one's a keeper that your child will enjoy reading over and over again.

Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride is a deligthful book. I purchased this book for a grandchild to teach her about the Feast of Trumpets. She asked for it again and again. The story starts out historically as the first train goes from Jaffa to Jerusalem. Engineer Ari is chosen from among the engineers to make the first trip. Consoling himself that someone has to be "first", he treats his friends badly. As he ends up in Jerusalem on Rosh Hashanah, he turns around (makes teshuva) to return to Jaffa to apologize to his friends and take them Rosh Hashanah treats. This book is true to form on teaching the essence of the Holiday. The illustrations done beautifully.