From the desk of Mary Ellen Loebl, PJ Library Coordinator
As Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, approach, PJ Library has you covered with wonderful books for children of all ages.
PJ Library stories are relatable because the characters feel just like members of our own families—siblings, friends, and even imaginative figures like the Big Bad Wolf or the Ziz. These characters sometimes make mistakes, feel remorse, and work to make things right—powerful lessons for kids as they learn about forgiveness, reflection, and new beginnings.
PJ Library Rosh Hashanah books share beautiful stories of family and friends celebrating the holiday together, while also introducing children to other New Year traditions around the world. The books highlight the special symbolic foods of the season—round challah representing the cycle of the year, apples dipped in honey for a sweet New Year, and pomegranates with their many seeds reminding us of our hope to do many mitzvot in the year ahead.
And we can’t forget the board books for our youngest readers! From fun stories with Uncle Max celebrating the holiday, to playful introductions to Rosh Hashanah symbols and traditions, these books make learning joyful. Little ones can count along while chopping apples or listen for the blasts of the shofar—engaging ways to celebrate while building early learning skills.
Continue reading to explore some of PJ Library of Southern Arizona’s favorite books for the upcoming holidays.
PJ Library Favorites for Rosh Hashanah
Two New Years
By Richard Ho
Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Lanterns, round challah, sweeping up, listening to the shofar — all are ways to welcome a new year! In this vibrantly illustrated book, a Chinese-Jewish family celebrates the joyful traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.
Apple Days
By Allison Soffer
Illustrated by bob McMahon
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a great time to pick apples and make applesauce. Katy can’t wait. But this year the arrival of a new baby gets in the way. How will Katy celebrate the new year now?
Finding Forgiveness
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by Diana Mayo
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah isn’t as fun when you’ve just had a fight with your sister. The tradition of Tashlich, throwing bread or pebbles representing regrets into the water, helps two sisters learn how to move on from their mistakes.
Something New for Rosh Hashanah
By Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Christine Battuz
It’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! It’s customary to taste a new food in honor of the holiday – but Becca, like many small children, is a picky eater. This sweet book, written by the beloved author Jane Yolen, follows Becca on her path to trying out something new. Rosh Hashanah is a great time to grow and learn – and that’s what trying new things is all about
PJ Library Favorites for Yom Kippur
The Hardest Word – A Yom Kippur Story
By Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
The Ziz, a clumsy and big-hearted bird, asks God for advice after accidentally destroying a vegetable garden. From this, Ziz learns the importance of an apology.
I’m Sorry You Got Mad
By Kyle Lukoff
Illustrated by Julie Kwon
Ms. Rice is making Jack write an apology to his friend Zoe, but none of his notes are good enough. With text entirely made up of Jack’s letters (and the responses he gets), this creative story explores what it really means to say sorry.
Big Bad Wolf’s Yom Kippur
By David Sherrin
Illustrated by Martin Moron
The Big Bad Wolf is all ready for another day of being mean. But today is Yom Kippur! New forest friends teach the Big Bad Wolf about Yom Kippur and the meaning of “teshuvah,” or turning toward righteousness.
How to Apologize
By Davi Larochelle
Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
Whether you’re a sock-stealing giraffe, a balloon-popping hedgehog, or a self-absorbed chicken, saying sorry can be hard to do. Silly situations give way to earnest advice in this guide to making amends.
Board Books for Babies
Rosh Hashanah with Uncle Max
By Varda Livney
Illustrated by Varda Livney
Here comes Uncle Max! He’s arriving because today is a special day. It’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the whole family is coming together to celebrate! Share in their celebration in this sweet book.
Rosh Hashanah is Coming!
By Tracy Newman
Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli
How do we know Rosh Hashanah is coming? There are so many hints! In this story children point to all the signals that the Jewish New Year is approaching.
One, Two, Three, Rosh Hashanah!
By Naomi Shulman
Illustrated by Nora Hilb
Braiding challah, slicing apples, listening to the shofar . . . as the little girl in this book discovers, celebrating the world’s birthday is as easy as “one, two, three!”
Find additional holiday resources, activities, and book information at pjlibrary.org.
Interested in getting involved with PJ Library? Learn more about how children aged birth to twelve can get free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture here. Connect with Mary Ellen with questions, concerns, and recommendations.
*all book synopses from pjlibrary.org