The Sweetest Rosh Hashanah: Festivals of the World

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with Ellie and her family—and try your hand at some baking and making of your own.

Shorter days and cooler air mean autumn is here. For Ellie, the best part is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! Ellie loves helping Mom bake round challahs, sampling the raisins, and assisting Dad with the sweet honey cake. As the house fills with delicious smells and the sky grows dark, her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins arrive to mark the holiday with them—including bossy Lara. Can Ellie find it in her heart to forgive Lara for “borrowing” her paints last year? As part of a warm family series about festivals, The Sweetest Rosh Hashanah features two activity spreads inviting young readers to make their own challah bread and create a festive card to give to someone they love. Shana Tovah!

Mara Bergman is an award-winning author, poet, and editor who has written more than twenty books for young children, including The Tall Man and the Small Mouse, illustrated by Birgitta Sif; Bears, Bears Everywhere!, illustrated by Helen Craig; and Snip Snap! What’s That?, Oliver Who Would Not Sleep, and Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide, illustrated by Nick Maland. Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Mara Bergman now works in London and lives in Kent.

Aura Lewis is an author-illustrator and designer with an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. She is inspired by fashion from around the world, playful color, vintage design, and popular culture. Her work is featured in many media, including books, television, film, stationery, and advertising. Aura Lewis lives in New York City.