Happy Birthday, World: A Rosh Hashanah Celebration (Very First Board Books) [Board book]

Latifa Berry Kropf (Author), Lisa Carlson (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–Kropf's simple text compares a child's typical birthday celebration with the rituals of Rosh Hashanah. Instead of eating a birthday cake, apples are dipped in honey; instead of party horns, the shofar is blown; and instead of getting presents, tzedakah, or charity, is given to people in need. Each spread shows a small image of the birthday ritual and a much larger image of a contemporary family observing Rosh Hashanah. The soft-focus art is bright and cheerful. The second book begins, Grab a shovel./Pick a spot./Plant a tree,/It's Tu B'Shevat! and continues as a boy and his family plant a tree; say a blessing; enjoy the shade, the fruit, and the birds; and watch the sapling grow. The delightful, sophisticated illustrations aptly depict the beauty of nature. Jewish nursery schools and synagogue libraries will want to add these titles, as will other libraries in which there is a demand for Jewish holiday board books.–Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI
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Review

"The important symbols and customs of the holiday are taught through simple text accompanied by beautiful illustrations." -- Assoc. of Jewish Libraries

"This is a sweet, simple yet very effective book...to convey the meaning of some Jewish New Year rituals." -- Jewish Tribune (Canada)

Product Details

• Board book: 12 pages
• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (September 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929371321
• ISBN-13: 978-0929371320
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > World > Jewish > General
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Religious

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ehhh..., November 9, 2006

By 

Panda Anavriton (Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Birthday, World: A Rosh Hashanah Celebration (Very First Board Books) (Board book)

This book is a great idea but a disappointment. I was disappointed by the shortness and the lack of story line. The illustrations are realistic however, don't look at them too long because you will discover that everyone has some sort of grotesque facial distortion.

I've given it 3 stars because it is one of the few books in this category and I believe we need to support this genre.

3.0 out of 5 stars short but necessary, September 13, 2007

By 

S. Baker (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Happy Birthday, World: A Rosh Hashanah Celebration (Very First Board Books) (Board book)

I agree with the first reviewer. The book is disappointingly short. However, and it's a big however, I also agree that books about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are lacking for a younger age group. This also turned out to be an ideal book (because it's short) for my new kindergartner to take to school and tell the teachers and kids about this jewish holiday. The teacher said: "I was surprised at how interested all the kids were" (go figure!). And on RH, my daughter brought in a bag of apple slices, honey, and a homemade round challah for the kids' snack time.