My Book of Jewish Festivals

By Author / Illustrator

Hannah Shafiroff

Genre

Seasonal

Age range(s)

Publisher

Bloomsbury Education

ISBN

9781801998796

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

13-08-2026

Synopsis

Celebrate and learn about ten Jewish celebrations with this inviting and warmhearted treasury. Perfect for reading together, this collection explains when, why, how, and what Jewish people celebrate during special festivals throughout the year.

My Book of Jewish Festivals features clear descriptions of Jewish history and traditions, easy-to-follow pronunciations of important Hebrew words, and vibrant art showcasing the diversity of modern Judaism.

This appealing and practical book is perfect for children who are beginning to learn about the Jewish faith as well as for teachers, parents and carers looking for a resource to guide children through every meaningful Jewish celebration!

Festivals introduced in the book include Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu Bi'Shvat, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot.

Extract from My Book of Jewish Festivals

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Reviews

Jane

My Book of Jewish Festivals is a lively book which communicates, through description and pictures, the joy of a community gathering to mark some very special - holy - occasions. I picked up on the depth of meaning in all the symbolism; the intentionality of observance (there's no assumption that being good will just happen); the thoughtfulness of each practice; the resonances with Christian liturgy as well as the divergence from other Abrahamic faiths; the centrality of sharing food; and the involvement of women and children in synagogue and home worship.

We are shown here a religion that is beautifully grounded in the material, created world. All the senses are engaged. I get the impression that growing up in a Jewish family is fun - at least, that's what the author conveys. Imagine having to build a den, play games, dress up and make lots of noise, because your religion expects it of you! Not to mention the skills you could learn cooking and crafting alongside your elders.

Some readers may be curious to find out more. For them, this relatively slim, colourful paperback will be the start of a journey. Perhaps they'll learn what practising gratitude entails at the Shabbat meal-table or which three stars' appearance signals the end of Yom Kippur. Maybe, they'll delve deeper into the different strands of Judaism, which are not mentioned here, or hear unabridged the Purim and Pesach texts, when old enough to cope with the violence.

The book has a light-hearted feel to it. (Take the description of the Shofar sounding during the Rosh Hashanah service, 'like an alarm clock' that wakes everyone up.) It closes very aptly with Shavuot, 'when all the stories, lessons and traditions are passed down' the generations.

What a rich heritage is showcased here for young people; what an attractive insight into Judaism! This is definitely a book to use in classroom RE lessons (KS1 or LKS2), although it will just as readily find a niche on home bookshelves and school libraries.

64 pages / Reviewed by Jane Rew, school librarian

Jacqueline

My Book of Jewish Festivals is a lovely book, with delightful illustrations, that captures the joy and essence of major Jewish festivals. It is a non fiction text, however it is written in a very chatty and accessible way, using all the Hebrew vocabulary (with how to pronounce the words) and nice details. The modern Jewish settings, where men and women are sitting together in synagogue for example, are exactly what I have been looking for to go in the school library.

This is the sort of book children will want to pick up and read because it looks so inviting and it seems to fill a real gap in the market for something less formal about Judaism. It seems to entirely capture the joy of celebrating the festivals as well as being full of information.

64 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher