Tamar is proud of her beautiful sukkah but she feels that something about it isn’t quite right. She decides to make some special decorations. She needs help hanging them up so she asks an older friend. He is glad to help but thinks a welcome sign would make the sukkah even nicer. He needs help writing the Hebrew words so he asks an older friend. She is glad to help but feels a table would be the perfect addition. She needs help carrying it so she asks an older friend. Soon the whole neighborhood joins together to help make the sukkah a beautiful, warm, welcoming place where all can celebrate the holiday with joy. The lesson is basic and lightly taught with a healthy helping of fun. Illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn adds richly colored art, evocative of the season, filled with happy children enjoying their wonderful shared project. A note at the end tells more about the holiday and its origins.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.