Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays

Lesléa Newman’s picture book Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children that’s “both lovely and eminently useful” (Kirkus Reviews)—illustrated by Susan Gal.

Here is the world, ever changing and new,
Spinning with joy at the wonder of you!

Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life.

In addition to the narrative text, there is a description of each holiday in the back matter along with an easy craft or recipe.

“Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal’s charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring—with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course.” —Publishers Weekly