It's almost Rosh Hashanah-the Jewish New Year-and Mike and Maya are just trying to survive apple slicing, honey smears, and an overly enthusiastic kazoo. But when a swirl of cinnamon-scented sparkles fills their living room, they are whisked away to a glowing city where shofars echo through the sky, round challahs gleam in golden windows, and every corner hums with the promise of a new beginning.
Guided by the ever-dramatic and delightfully mysterious Rabbi Matzah, the children journey through the City of Beginnings, discovering what Rosh Hashanah truly means. Along the way, they learn why the Jewish New Year begins in the month of Tishrei instead of January, how the Jewish calendar follows the moon, and why the sound of the shofar is meant to wake not only our ears-but our hearts.
They plant a young fig tree for the future and meet a boy carefully writing names into the Book of the Year. They take part in Tashlich, tossing crumbs into a river and letting go of the mistakes and regrets they don't want to carry forward. They discover that Rosh Hashanah is more than apples dipped in honey or round raisin challah fresh from the oven. It is a time for reflection, growth, and choosing who you want to become.
As music rises and lanterns glow, the celebration builds into a joyful reminder that every year offers another chance to begin again-on purpose. When Mike and Maya return home, the room may be a little messy, but something inside them has shifted. The year is new. And so are they.
Warm, humorous, and richly illustrated, The Rosh Hashanah Book introduces children to the traditions, symbols, and deeper meaning of the Jewish New Year in a way that feels accessible, meaningful, and magical. Through storytelling and expressive artwork, young readers encounter the shofar, teshuvah, Tashlich, holiday foods, and the idea of renewal in a way that is both educational and emotionally resonant.
Designed for families, classrooms, synagogues, and holiday gift-giving, this beautifully produced hardcover edition offers a lasting celebration of Jewish tradition and the courage it takes to begin again. Thoughtful yet playful, reverent yet warm, it invites children-and the adults who read with them-to step into the new year with intention, kindness, and hope.
Part of the Rabbi Matzah series, this volume combines imagination and tradition in a story that honors heritage while speaking directly to the hearts of modern readers.
Suitable for ages 6-10.
Pell, Suzanne: - "Suzanne Pell builds children's books with intention, experience, and heart. With more than 40 years in print and graphic design - beginning with the opening of her first print shop in 1981 - she understands books from the inside out. As an author, illustrator, designer, and full-service publisher, she guides both her own projects and first-time authors from concept to completion, combining expressive storytelling with bold, page-popping design that helps books stand out in a crowded marketplace. The result is work that is not only beautiful, but strategically built, professionally produced, and made to last. You can reach her at sue@booksbysue.com."
