In Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Allison Sarnoff Soffer (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2014), Katy and her classmates share what they like best about Rosh Hashanah with their teacher. Katy recalls how each year she and her mom go apple picking, return home, and then Katy helps her mom make applesauce.
This year’s day goes on the calendar, and it seems like the whole community is looking forward to it, when a family “crisis” arises.
Soon the word spreads that apple-picking day is not going to happen but, soon enough, friends, community members and Katy’s father become involved, leading to a happy ending for all.
This book for children ages 2 to 7 is not only fun to read but it teaches important lessons about what happens when a family has to have flexibility and what can happen when you share your problems with your friends and community for support.
Sarnoff Soffer teaches at a preschool school in Chevy Chase, Md., where she lives with her husband and children. This is her first book. Illustrator Bob McMahon provides cartoon-like, colorful drawings. A recipe for applesauce is included.
Sybil Kaplan is a foreign correspondent, lecturer, book reviewer and food writer in Jerusalem. She has compiled nine kosher cookbooks. She leads weekly walks in English in the Jewish produce market, Machaneh Yehudah, and writes the restaurant features for Janglo, the oldest, largest website in Israel for English-speakers.