With the High Holidays coming up (Rosh Hashanah begins on Sept. 22 and Yom Kippur on Oct. 1), this is a great time to share some Jewish holiday titles with the children in your life. And don’t forget, we have a Jewish holiday every week on Shabbat!
For Babies and Toddlers:
Rosh Hashanah with Uncle Max
written and illustrated by Varda Livney, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2021
A board book about a beloved uncle visiting his biracial Jewish family for the High Holidays.
Anyada Buena, Shanah Tovah
by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Maria Mola, Kar-Ben Publishing 2025
A board book that introduces Ladino words and Sephardic Jewish culture.
Shabbat Shalom, Let’s Rest and Reset
written and illustrated by Suzy Ultman, Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2025
A board book that beautifully conveys the peace of the Sabbath.
For Ages 4-8
Two New Years
by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield, Chronicle Books, 2023
A picture book about a Chinese-American Jewish family who celebrate both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.
Big Bad Wolf’s Yom Kippur
by David Sherrin, illustrated by MartÃn Morón, Apples & Honey Press, 2023
A funny picture book about turning over a new leaf.
Shabbat Is…
by A.J. Sass, illustrated by Noa Kelner, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025
A picture book celebrating the diversity of Jews and of Jewish practice – there are so many different ways to celebrate the Sabbath!
For Middle Grade
The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman
by Mari Lowe, Levine Querido, 2023
A contemporary novel about an Orthodox Jewish girl, bullying, and what it means to make amends.
A World Worth Saving
by Kyle Lukoff, Dial Books, 2025
A fantasy novel for older kids/young teens about a trans boy who must save the world with the help of a golem, in time for Yom Kippur.
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword
written and illustrated by Barry Deutsch, Amulet Books, 2010
A quirky fantasy graphic novel about an Orthodox Jewish sword-wielding girl who fights trolls, and which includes a surprisingly realistic Shabbat sequence.
Heidi Rabinowitz is a synagogue librarian, the host of BookOfLifePodcast.com (a podcast about Jewish children’s books now celebrating its 20th year), and the past president of the Association of Jewish Libraries, the leading authority on Judaic librarianship.
For more children’s books on the Jewish holidays visit: HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
AJL has also created a series of kids’ bridge-building booklists aimed at non-Jewish readers, to demystify the Jewish experience and combat antisemitism. You can find the book recommendations at: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Happy Reading!
