It's Tu B'Shevat!

by Edie Stoltz Zolkower, Richard Johnson (Illustrator)

Rhyming verse and brightly colored illustrations tell the story of a boy and his family planting a tree for Tu B’Shevat and watching it grow. This board book is just right for little hands.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Jewish

12 pages, Board Book

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Edie Stoltz Zolkower is the author of three Jewish holiday books for children. Her board book, “It’s Tu B’Shevat” was named a 2006 Notable Children’s Book of Jewish Content by the Association of Jewish Libraries. All three books are current PJ Library Selections.

Her stories, poems and nonfiction articles have been published in Cat Fancy, Nature Friend, Guideposts For Kids, and Wee Ones e-zine. Her article “Cleanup Birds” published in the August 2004 issue of Nature Friend, won a 2005 SCBWI Magazine Merit Honor Award.

Edie has a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and an AAS degree in Sign Language Interpreting from Nashville State Community College. In addition to her writing, she works as an educational sign language interpreter in the public schools. She lives in Nashville TN with her husband. They have a grown son who lives in Colorado.

Reviews

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rhyming story explains to young kids how one boy celebrates Tu B'Shevat by planting a tree. Throughout the year he visits and checks on his tree. And the following Tu B'Shevat he brings his family to the tree to celebrate its birthday. It has a positive environmental message, as well as a message of thankfulness. It does a nice job of providing children with some cultural context, while keeping things general enough that kids from a variety of backgrounds can relate to the ideas contained within.

The illustrations are nice. There's a lot of soft roundness about them. It gives a sense of wholeness and totality. I also think that they are gentle and accessible for toddlers. They've got nice colors, movement, and activity to keep little eyes engaged.

Very happy that I purchased this book for my daughter. She's already excited for the upcoming holiday.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet rhyming picture book tells the simple story of a young boy who plants a tree on Tu B'Shevat. The story shows him visiting the tree throughout the year and then again for Tu B'Shvat the following year. Other than saying "Happy Birthday tree" there isn't any explanation of the holiday, but the simple 12 page board book would be a perfect introduction to the holiday for toddlers. The soft earth tone illustrations are perfect for a book that celebrates trees and would be soothing for the little ones. I searched the local library for books for this holiday and was happy to find the ebook on the Hoopla app.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, nothing too exciting but it’s a good discussion starter for Tu B’Shvat.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a family and a tree they planted that centers around Tu B'Shvat!