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

~ (Author), John Himmelman (Illustrator) "My uncle Jake blows the shofar every day..." (more)
Key Phrases: Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The creators of Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights, hit a high note with this picture book about the traditions surrounding the Jewish High Holy Days, or Days of Awe. The house is abuzz with excitement as the relatives gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and then 10 days later, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In this time of prayers, good food and good times, Uncle Jake plays a special role: he will blow the shofar, or ram's horn, during the service at the synagogue. Kimmelman includes a wealth of information about the tastes (challah and apples with honey), sights (the stained glass synagogue windows) and sounds (the shofar, the cantor and the rabbi) of the holiday season in her energetic text, making it highly accessible to very young children. Himmelman's cozy, lighthearted paintings feature an extended family?including a spunky litter of orange tabby cats?enjoying themselves and reaffirming their Jewish faith. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Readers join in as a family celebrates Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and, 10 days later, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Uncle Jake punctuates the holidays as he blows the shofar (ram's horn). In addition to the traditional observances, the family also partakes in the fairly recent custom of taking canned food for those less fortunate to the synagogue when they go for Yom Kippur prayers. The lighthearted illustrations show the joy of this season as the extended family gathers together; even the cats are included in the festivities. There is a woman cantor at the synagogue and most of the men do not wear prayer shawls, indicating that the family members are Reform Jews. A note at the end explains details about these holidays not covered in the text. A useful addition for libraries that serve Jewish populations.
Yapha Nussbaum Mason, Brentwood Lower School, Los Angeles
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (July 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060275014
• ISBN-13: 978-0060275013
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #634,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read for children, March 26, 2001

By	Stephanie Smith "a98hoya" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a middle school social studies teacher who teaches world cultures, I wanted to expose my students to the High Holy Days, I was seeking a colorful, fun and informative introduction to this most important time in the Jewish year. My mostly Christian students knew nothing of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur which led me to choose a book that was very simple and straight forward. When I discovered Sound the Shofar, I knew that it was perfect.

The story centers on one family's celebration of the High Holy Days and focuses on the reasons behind some of the more allegorical traditions (such as blowing the shofar, dipping apples in honey...)My students did gain a basic understanding, but the book, in my opinion, is really meant for a much younger audience (perhaps kindergarten - second grade) although children through 10 will most likely enjoy it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, September 13, 2004

By	Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is very focused on the Jewish High Holy Days. It starts with the start of Rosh Hashanah and ends on right at the close of Yom Kippur.

While many may feel that the Day of Atonement may not make for a good story, this book does a very nice job of it. It touches on the home and the synagogue. The children experience the joys of the holidays while also reflecting on the more serious aspects (the are sorry for the bad things they have done in the previous year and promise to do better in the coming year). All of this is wrapped around the Uncle who has been practicing blowing the Shofar as he will have the honor for the holidays.

A very nice and simple story that does a pretty good job of showing and explaining the High Holy Days.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for ages 3 to 6, September 9, 2001

By	Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's Rosh Hashana. Uncle jake is practicing the Shofar. All the relatives come for dinner. There are candles, wine, apples, honey, and a round challah. Even the cats lick up some honey for a sweet new year. At the synagogue the rabbi and cantor, a man and a woman (which is which? hehe), lead the congregation and a portly Uncle Jake sounds the Shafar. For Yom Kippur, there is a collection of canned goods for a food bank tzedakah contribution, and a chance to change our ways. Finally, it's evening, and Uncle Jake sounds the neillah Shofar