Katy is always excit­ed to make apple sauce with her moth­er for Rosh Hashana. Thisyear, she also has the arrival of a new cous­in­to look for­ward to. When baby Will’s birth­pre­empts apple-pick­ing day, Katy tells afriend about her dis­ap­point­ment, and her­friend helps spread the word. Katy’s teacher,principal, rab­bi, cross­ing guard, and friends each give her an apple, and soon she has enough to make apple­sauce with her father.She is excit­ed to be able to share with her­class­mates the next day, and sets aside a small­jar in the freez­er for Will to enjoy when hegets old enough.

Young read­ers will iden­ti­fy with Katy’s antic­i­pa­tion of a cher­ished fam­i­ly tra­di­tion and share her dis­ap­point­ment at hav­ing the plans can­celled. Sof­fer deft­ly shows Katy mov­ing from frus­tra­tion to the plea­sure of cel­e­brat­ing with friends and fam­i­ly, includ­ing the new baby in the fun. See­ing mem­bers of the com­mu­ni­ty pitch in to help Katy, and fol­low­ing along as she and her father cook might inspire read­ers to start a new Rosh Hashana tra­di­tion. Includes an apple­sauce recipe. Rec­om­mend­ed for ages 3 – 7.