Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story: A Picture Book

by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Zara Gonzalez Hoang (Illustrator)

From award-winning author Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrator Zara González Hoang comes Measuring a Year , an engaging picture book about celebrating Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. They offer a chance to think about the present and the past, to “measure” a year and ourselves.

This sweet and thoughtful picture book, perfect for reading aloud, invites young readers and their families to take stock of the happy times and the occasional regrets, as well as the new friends made and new skills gained over the year. Happy New Year! Shana Tova!

“The watercolor, colored pencil, and digital artwork portrays a diverse cast of children experiencing a variety of memorable moments throughout the year . . . [a] sweet, accessible book.” — School Library Journal

Includes an author’s note featuring additional context about Rosh Hashanah and its customs.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Jewish, Cultural, Childrens, Contemporary, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 16, 2022

About the author

I have always loved words. My parents said I spoke in full sentences before I was a year old. They also said I didn't walk until I was two.

I was still a baby when I saw a TV commercial about a vacuum cleaner and its expandable bag. That night, my parents begged me to eat "just one more bite." I refused. Using a phrase I'd learned from the vacuum cleaner commercial, I explained, "My stomach is fully expanded." My parents laughed...and I was saved from having to eat that dreadful "one more bite."

My love of words extended to foreign languages. I was one of those kids who loved school. I loved Hebrew school, too. Learning Hebrew taught me that words can be composed of roots and that those roots can change, often in predictable ways. I noticed some of the rules I'd learned in Hebrew applied to English, too. I also love word games, puzzles, and etymology, learning about the origins of words.

Some of my other favorite things include being outside, exploring, and being around animals. When I was a child, I wanted a horse. I didn't get one. But when I grew up, my husband and I moved to a farm. That's where we raised our four children...and sheep, chickens, and rabbits. It's also where some of my stories are based.

I also love teaching and have taught all ages, from babies through college. I've taught parents, too.

When I write stories, I combine so many of the things I love. I'm always learning and exploring...and having a fabulous time!

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, concise book that provides simple prompts to help kids and families take an inventory before Rosh Hashanah. It's perfect for helping even very young kids think about how they've grown and changed in the past year and how they want to grow and change in the year to come. I love the pictures as well, lots of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Autumn imagery throughout. Though this is a wonderfully Jewish book, anyone could read and enjoy it.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this tender Rosh Hashanah story, full of invitations to reflect on the past year and future growth.

Themes: New Year, Looking Back, Jewish Culture
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend Measuring a Year!

[Ann Koffsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful addition to the Rosh Hashanah canon!
In warm, lyrical language, Marshall gets right to the core meaning of the holiday and invites kids to understand the holiday in a deep way. Yes, we see apples and honey but this brief tale helps readers reflect beyond the symbols, and instead think about the meaning of Rosh Hashanah, their own lives, and their own year. And it does it with a light touch. Really well done.

Plus: the illustrations are charming, and add so much to the story, too. I loved seeing the alien and hamantaschen costumes in the Purim scenes, and the arrangement objects on the main characters bulletin board were a wonderful way to display the souvenirs of the year.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: How do you measure a year? By looking at how much you grew...or all the things you learned to do?

Premise/plot: From the afterward, The Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. This book talks about the different ways you can measure a year. The text is straight forward and basic, but the illustrations really offer more food for thought, if you will. They offer stories.

My thoughts: I would recommend reading this one twice. The first time focusing on the text and the second time focusing on the illustrations. I think for Jewish readers--probably, almost certainly--the prominence of apples and honey will be obvious. For other readers, a tiny little note might help out. That being said, I don't expect every book to fill in the blanks and educate. I don't. Regardless of your faith or beliefs, a book about new beginnings always fits.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle read for the Jewish new year, or any period. Engaging illustrations by Zara Gonzalez Hoang perfectly compliment Linda Elovitz Marshall's text and are the epitome of what a child finds appealing. A developmentally pitch perfect read for a young child and their adult companion. I read this as an adult with appreciation for a little one's mindset and enjoyed it just as much independently as I would have with a young friend.

My favorite illustration was of the grandma sitting in the sukkah with three children in sleeping bags, chatting. With a few simple lines and colors, Ms. Gonzalez Hoang expertly portrays the expressions of children who are enjoying each other's company.

Big picture bonus: an understanding of time and measurement are key concepts to understanding our world and laying the groundwork for beginning math and science.

First Read: October 2022
Reread: September 2025

[Colin Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Measuring A Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story '' is a realistic fiction written by Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrated by Zara Gonzalez Hoang. The story is a retrospective view of the previous year with a good flow and rhyme scheme as Rosh Hashana, the Hebrew New Year approaches. It gives the readers encouragement to observe the holiday and see how much you have grown over the past year. The author Linda Elovitz Marshall is an award-winning author and member of the Jewish faith. I included this book because of how important Rosh Hashanah is to Jewish people as a holiday. The book also has a personal touch with the letter that is put at the end encouraging everyone to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate my new school district's inclusive calendar (days off for Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, and Good Friday), but I also feel like with great power comes great responsibility. I'm hopeful these holidays are being covered in class, but since the library is sort of its own island I'm going to be sharing this one with K-2s this week. It does a lovely job providing examples, good and bad, of what an individual may have done in a year and so many ways to measure growth. Simple illustrations support the words and show children reflecting on their growths, achievements, and failures in a diverse neighborhood with plenty of Jewish representation.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

In sweet, sparse, rhyming text, Measuring a Year, asks a very interesting question. How do you measure what happens during the year? By trips, by events, by interactions with others? By how much you’ve grown? Or what you learned?

An end note encourages the reader to observe the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with some reflection. What made you sad during the year? What made you happy? Did you make mistakes? Could you do better in the coming year?

Delightfully illustrated with a diverse population of characters, this book is a lovely way to start the new year.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author asks young children: How do you measure a year? It isn't measured simply by a calander, but by events, by physical and emotional growth, by things learned and friends made, by things to be proud of and mistakes that have been made. As the rhyming text and adorable illustrations take us through the year, it goes beyond the Rosh Hashana symbols and examines the meaning behind the holidays. It invites the children to consider their behavior and what changes they wish to make during this fresh start.

[Sarah Ankenbauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not seen much children's literature about reflecting on the past and how to make a better future. I loved the multicultural approach the author took in her final note, and the suggestion that you can make these reflections on the start of each new day. I also found myself compelled to look at the illustrations in depth and really pick up the hidden details. This is not something I tend to do when reading picture books.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
It didn't read very Rosh Hashanah. There were no mentions of those specific celebrations, foods, decorations, etc. It was a neat book about different ways to measure a year, but definitely felt misleading as a title. Illustrations were nice and followed specific, unnamed children throughout. Only by reading the author and illustrator back cover infos did I get why the inner covers had apples and honey.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lyrical telling of preparing for the chagim. Children will love the rhyming, rhythmic text begging to be read aloud. Many opportunities are presented to engage children in reflecting on the past year and talking about the good and not so good memories. I would have given it another star. However, the diverse communities are not realistic.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at how the Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year with a time and observation for looking back and measuring one's self, and an opportunity to push the reset button.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t know what to expect.. was still an enjoyable read with the kiddos but they weren’t as engaged with it. I recommend more for 4th grade and up. A good book though to add to the other cultures’ holiday book repertoire as this one talks about Jewish new years

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best is soooo cute i adore 🥰 her ⁉️

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely addition to holiday collections, and a most welcome Rosh Hashanah story!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read to introduce kids to Rosh Hashanah. Simple text takes the reader through reflecting on the previous year and how the New Year is a time to improve and reset.

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple and sweet. backmatter gives extreme basics about the high holidays

[KMitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a lovely book! could be used as a reflective tool for youngsters.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the reflection of our actions. The love we’ve shared and the mistakes we’ve made.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief, clear text about Rosh Hashanah being a time to look back at the year and think of how we behaved. Pictures aren’t great, but gentle message is quite lovely for all ages in elementary school.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

What might happen in a year? With kid friendly illustrations and using Rosh Hashanah (aka Jewish New Year), this story offers ideas for how to reflect and review the previous year.

[Heather McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and thoughtful read about looking back, forward, and in the present

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Measuring a Year" by Linda Elovitz Marshal is a heartwarming tale that introduces young readers to the special traditions of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Through lively storytelling and colorful illustrations, the book captures the essence of reflection and celebration during this meaningful time. With its engaging narrative, this book is a wonderful way for children to learn about the significance of Rosh Hashanah, making it a delightful addition to their reading adventures.