The following titles are a selection from the Jewish Valuesfinder, www.ajljewishvalues.org. Most are individual stories; some are collections that include Sukkot stories. The annotations will make it clear which is which. More stories, including ones for preschool, will be found by visiting the Valuesfinder and doing a subject search for Sukkot.
Berger, Gilda . CELEBRATE! STORIES OF THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS. Illus. by Catalanotto, Peter. Scholastic, 1998. 114 pages. ISBN: 0590935038. Primary, Elementary For each of eight holidays, the author has written a story followed by short sections on the meaning of the holiday and how it is celebrated plus some crafts and recipes. The format is large, readable, and attractive. Cohen, Barbara . MOLLY'S PILGRIM. Illus. by Duffy, Daniel Mark. Lothrop, Lee and Shephard, 1983. ISBN: 0688162800. Primary An immigrant child gains acceptance in school with the help of a caring teacher. Her mother's creation of small dolls that resemble Russian immigrants instead of Thanksgiving pilgrims helps Molly and her classmates make the connection between Thanksgiving and Sukkot. Children are moved by this story of a Jewish child who is different from her peers but who acquires a sense of self-worth and pride in her heritage. The revised version was published by HarperTrophy in 1998 Cooper, Ilene . JEWISH HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR ROUND: A FAMILY TREASURY. Illus. by Savadier, Elivia. Harry Abrams, 2002. 2002 pages. ISBN: 0810905507. Primary, Elementary, Middle-School The goal of this appealing book is to help families create holiday rituals that make their home celebrations special by choosing from the rituals, crafts, activities and recipes included. Many of the illustrations are from the collection of New York's Jewish Museum. Additional illustrations are by Elivia Savadier. Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. ON SUKKOT AND SIMCHAT TORAH. Illus. by Hall, Melanie. Kar-Ben/Lerner, 2006. 32 pages. ISBN: 1580131654. Preschool, Primary The author-illustrator team that has collaborated on a fine holiday series for younger children is again successful in introducing two more Jewish holidays with accuracy, reverence, and a child's point of view. Sukkot and Simchat Torah are celebrated by the narrator's family, showing how women as well as men can participate. There is an especially good explanation of the Ushpizin or biblical Sukkah guests and a brief mention of a third holiday, Shemini Atzeret. Hall's lyrical pastel illustration complement and extend the text. Geller, Beverly Mach. MYSTERY OF THE MISSING PITOM, THE. Illus. by Perel, Lisa. Gefen, 2000. ISBN: 9652292028. Primary A Sukkot story that explains the requirements for the pitom that makes the etrog kosher. Its main character is a curious little boy named Yosef who takes a peak at the etrog his father has carefully chosen and then mistakenly believes he has been the cause of its missing pitom. Gently acknowledging Yosef's mistake and his subsequent attempts to make amends, Abba explains the Halakhic requirements for the pitom. Marred by weak binding and amateurish illustrations. Goldin, Barbara Diamond. NIGHT LIGHTS: A SUKKOT STORY. Illus. by Sucher, Laura. UAHC Press, 2002. 32 pages. ISBN: 0807408034. Preschool, Primary This year Daniel and his older sister get to sleep overnight in the sukkah alone! Daniel is scared and ashamed of being scared. When his sister helps him to think of the stars in the sky as nightlights, he is able to overcome his fear. This was originally published in 1995 with imaginative and fanciful illustrations by Louise August. The illustrations in this new edition are softer, perhaps less scary, but also less evocative. Jaffe, Nina . UNINVITED GUEST AND OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAY TALES, THE. Illus. by Savadier, Elivia. Scholastic, 1993. 72 pages. ISBN: 0590446533. Primary, Elementary An outstanding collection of Jewish folktales for the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shabbat. The Yom Kippur tale, "Miracles on the Sea", is adapted from an I. L. Peretz story; sources for all the tales are given and Jaffe's retellings and Savadier's illustrations sparkle. The notes, as usual with books by this author, are exemplary. Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award. Polacco, Patricia . TIKVA MEANS HOPE. Doubleday/Random House, 1994. 40 pages. ISBN: 0385320590. Primary It's Sukkot and the Roths have invited two neighborhood kids, Duane and Justine, to sleep overnight in their sukkah. The fun of celebrating the holiday is shortlived, however, because the setting is Oakland and the crisis of the story is the devastating fire that burned over a thousand houses in the Oakland hills. Inter-twining themes of community and kindness to animals, this features the author/illustrator's usual cast of multi-ethnic characters in a large, illustrated format. The story is compelling but it can also be frightening and is probably best read to children by parents or a sensitive adult who is prepared to offer genuine and convincing reassurances. Schwartz, Howard . DAY THE RABBI DISAPPEARED, THE: JEWISH HOLIDAY TALES OF MAGIC. Illus. by Passicot, Monique. Viking, 2000. 80 pages. ISBN: 0670887331. Elementary, Middle-School The magic in these tales - of dreams, heavenly journeys, and secret names - is used to protect and save the Jewish people. Several of the stories feature learned women and all twelve of them are associated with the major festivals, Rosh Hodesh, and Shabbat. Weilerstein, Sadie Rose. ADVENTURES OF K'TONTON, THE. Illus. by Berkowitz, Jeannette. National Women's League of the United Synagogue, 1935. 100 pages. ISBN: . Primary The first modern Jewish children's book, The Adventures of K'tonton is also a true classic. It has delighted several generations with its tales of the mischievous, thumb-sized little boy named K'tonton, whose adventures introduce young children to Jewish customs, holidays, and values. Different versions of the K'tonton stories exist, some collected in a volume of favorites and a few others published as separate stories. No Jewish child should grow up without having met K'tonton. Linda Linda R. 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