Jewish Children's Books

At first glance, these children's books look ordinary and typical. They instead are books specifically for Jewish holidays, containing blessings, prayers, and stories. They seek to simplify the rituals in order for children to begin to understand them, and some give background to the meaning of the ritual or holiday. The books also show how material things are utilized in celebrating the holidays, such as lighting the Menorah. Growing up, I frequently received picture books with some greater moral or lesson being taught in simple terms. These books take the many Jewish holidays and present them in a manner that children can comprehend and follow along with.  

The books talk about holidays such as Hanukkah, Tu B'Shevat, Sukkot, and Rosh Hashanah, by showing what can be done to celebrate those, as well as the prayers and blessings said during them. For instance, apple and honey are eaten as one of the traditions for Rosh Hashanah and in the book, they picture two children preparing the apples and honey for their family. Rosh Hashanah also marks the "birthday of the world", in which another books explains that concept in Jewish terms of the new year.  For Tu B'Shevat, the new year for the trees, the children are finding ways to honor the trees, some even do so by tying fruit to them. For Sukkot, they show the Sukkah, the tent structure, being put up. Hanukkah is the better known holiday among believers and non believers, and shows the Menorah and gifts, but does not go into great detail on the meaning behind it. All of this is done with pictures in order for children to visually take in the meanings and traditions, and in doing so, the children stay entertained.

Above is a Haggadah, that not only gives the lessons of the holiday, but keeps children entertained with coloring pages and pictures. By providing something visually and physically engaging, it helps keep children occupied, and even learn something. Everyone at the table has a Haggadah on Passover to follow along and say the Seder, but these children's Haggadahs provide more than just the prayers and blessings. They make the ritual easy to follow, and give entertainment for the time that is not spent reciting the prayers and blessings.  

The children's books, are not in themselves holy, but do simplify the holiness of the day for children. The books could be considered less sacred, as they are mass produced and not traditional, but their contents hold ritual, and the meaning behind the ritual. They are practical, and make it easy for kids to learn and have fun doing it. The books can also make the holidays more relatable to the children as they see pictures of other kids celebrating in the ways that their own family does. The books seem like a very practical way to entertain and educate. Most religions, especially Christianity, use this same avenue in order to engage children. There are children's books on almost any other topic imaginable, so why not make some with meaning and purpose?