The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda

by Shoshana Nambi, Moran Yogev (Illustrator)

Sukkot is Shoshi’s favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the hut where her family will celebrate. But who will win the Ugandan Abayudaya community’s annual sukkah contest? While only one sukkah can be the best, everybody wins when neighbors work together.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Africa, Holiday, Family, Childrens, Judaism

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Vera Godley]

This is an interesting children's book featuring a small community of Ugandans who converted to Judaism in the 1920s. They are celebrating Sukkah. During this holiday period each family builds their own "dwelling" of branches and other miscellaneous materials. The holiday is in celebration of the end of their wandering in the desert.

I did not realize that there was a competition where the community voted to determine which Sukkah was best, but that is the emphasis of this picture book.

I'm not particularly fond of the style of illustrations used and the strong, dark coloration it incorporates. The book and story are interesting and will help children understand Jewish culture and observations. There is interesting back matter with information on the origin of the Abayudaya (this community of believers in Uganda) and a glossary of terms.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Jenny]

I love it when picture books teach me about people I had never known existed, the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda being one of them. This book also helps to demystify the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, one of the lesser known Jewish holidays. Beautiful artwork, beautiful storytelling, beautiful book!

[Elizabeth]

Very colorful illustrations. Includes some history also.

[Alexis]

Gotta love a book with a great message and this is it! We all love competition, but how do you keep it friendly? This community shows that through their Sukkah celebration. Learning about this blend of African culture and Jewish spirituality that the Abayudaya have developed.The vibrant illustrations bring the story to life and I would recommend to all readers. Thank you Kalaniot Books and Media Masters Publicity!

[Erika Dreifus]

A wonderful introduction to the Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda (about which I know too little)—and a book about a Jewish holiday that isn't Hanukkah!

[Ilana]

Written in a children´s voice, the multi-awarded The Very Best Sukkah written by Shoshana Nambi and illustrated by Moran Yogev published by Kalaniot Books takes us to Uganda. Shoshi and her brother are preparing for the celebration, trying to get the first prize of the most beautiful sukkah. Everyone in the village is taking part to the challenge, decorating it with local fruits like bananas, passion fruits, mangoes or jackfruits while adding a local touch to the design and colours. Everything is so beautifully described - and illustrated - that I can almost feel the smell of the village preparing for the feast. It made me so curious to taste the traditional kalo bread, made with cassava and millet flour, apparently a typical local staple.

But then there is some unhappy natural incident taking part, with most sukkahs being destroyed, and everyone is leaving the competition spirit - nothing bad about it, by the way ´as long as everyone is sharing kindness toward each other´ - for more solidarity and community spirit. The most beautiful lesson of sukkah, where each of us stands for all, surrounded by family and friends and the taste of century-old traditions.

Since the first half of the 20th century, there is a community of around 2,000 people practising Judaism situated mostly in some villages in the Eastern part of the country. (I will not delve into halachic discussions and evaluations right now) Shoshana is the first female ordained rabbi by the Union of Reform Judaism originary from Uganda, currently serving an assistant rabbi in Los Altos Hills California.

The Very Best Sukkah was one of my best Sukkot-related reads for children in a while, a lessons in solidarity, as seen through the eyes of a child, beautifully told and illustrated.

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[V]

For those unfamiliar with the holiday of Sukkot: it is a celebration of harvest and a commemoration of the Jewish people's journey from Egypt through the desert to Israel. The Very Best Sukkah tells the story of Shoshi and her brothers as they build a sukkah (a temporary shelter) to celebrate Sukkot. They hope the rabbi will select theirs as the best in the village. When a storm destroy's one family's structure, however, everyone moves past the competition to honor the holiday and rebuild together. All agree that the new sukkah is best because it represents the entire community. Back matter explains the origin and unique culture of the Abayudaya, a Jewish community in Uganda.

Yogev's cover art demands attention with bright colors, thick lines, and delightful details. The enchanting visuals continue inside as readers meet a fun-loving girl who wants to win a local competition. She models strength of character and compassion, leading her brothers not just to school and synagogue, but also in empathy and kindness. And she has the sweetest pet goat! Although Shoshi may live in a faith-based community on a different continent, an American audience will easily relate to her.

In a saturated market, The Very Best Sukkah stands apart as a valuable story with stunning illustrations and the added benefit of widening one's worldview.

[K.L. Bernard]

In a small Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda, a girl and her brothers prepare for their favorite holiday, Sukkot. On this day they celebrate the Jewish people’s journey through the desert in Israel. Not only that, they will build and decorate a sukkah for the village competition.

Each year families compete by decorating with fruits, pillows, curtains, and artwork. Things need to be handmade. A villager Daudi buys lights to hang from the store which angers some of the community. The night before the competition a storm comes through and destroys a lot of the sukkahs. Daudi’s was the worst. Will the community come together to help Daudi rebuild?

This lovely story shares Jewish culture, history, and friendship. Colorful illustrations show life in this community. Parents, teachers, and caregivers can engage young readers to learn about the village of Abayudaya and Uganda. The back pages introduce its history and there is also a glossary to help with vocabulary and comprehension.

[Lisa]

Shoshi and her brothers love the Holiday of Sukkot - where they celebrate the Jewish peoples' journey through the desert to Israel. Part of the weeklong celebration includes a competition between families in the village to see who can make the most beautiful sukkah, which is a hut. During the week, they take turns visiting each other in their sukkas. Everyone has different talents, which are reflected in their designs. But when a big rainstorm causes damage, the village works together to rebuild the one most ruined.

I liked this story! I liked how the community was all about who would win the competition and complaining about the guy who bought all his decorations until they had to come together. Soshi's family is adorable, and the illustrations really brought that out. I loved the simple details on her dress and her beautiful eyelashes. The characters are an Abayudayan Jewish Community in Uganda

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Kamaria Simmons]

The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda is a warm, reflective story that provides a window into the world of the Abayudaya and their Jewish spirituality. It mentions a few commonly known Jewish holidays, but then explains how Sukkah happens to be one of their favorites as it allows for a friendly competition of creativity within their community. The story showcases each builder's unique style and tells the lengths of how far one will go to make their sukkah stand out from the rest. After a sukkah is destroyed in a storm, the villagers unite in the true spirit of community. "There are bits and pieces of every villager built into the repaired sukkah. The people came together just like to the lulav and etrog are bound together." In the end, everyone wins!

[Shoshanna]

Absolutely incredible. A lovely story about a community coming together to help a family whose sukkah was destroyed in a storm, but much, much more!

I had never heard of the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda until I read this book! I feel like this picture book is v important, for children and for adults, in terms of learning about other Jewish communities that don't like like the ones in which they live! This is not a community of descendants of Am Yisrael, like the Ethiopian Jews, but it's truly fascinating learning about this relatively isolated Jewish community that is over a hundred years old!

[Christie Kaaland]

First person account of a small Ugandan village's celebration of sukkot. The main character and her younger brother tenderly decorates their sukkah, a temporary structure built to celebrate the Jewish holiday Sukkot, and hope to win the award as the best decorated in the annual contest. When a wild storm destroys the projected winner of the contest, the community comes together to rebuild the sukkah making everyone a winner. Lovely wood block illustrations in dominant verdant tones enhance and help reveal aspects of the culture to the reader.

[Jaclyn Sutherland]

This was a sweet book that I read to my 6 month old baby. The art work was beautifully done and the story itself was both entertaining and educational. I had never heard of this group of people before and it was vey interesting to read about the Jewish holiday and how it is celebrated by these people. My baby actually started crying when it was time to put the book away because he wanted to look at the pictures more! I’m glad we picked this one at random from the library because of the colorful cover.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin]

Written by the first female rabbi in Uganda, this story describes the celebration of Sukkot in the Abayudaya Jewish community as told by a girl who loves to compete in the annual sukkah-building contest. The woodblock print illustrations are as colorful as they are expressive. Endnotes include a description of the Abayudaya community, a glossary, and the text of the hymn sung in the story. A map of Africa would have been a helpful addition.

[Sandy]

An interesting picture book about how the the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda celebrates the harvest fetival of Sukkot. The authors note includes additional information on how the community converted in the 1920s. A sweet story about a community coming together. My daughter enjoyed the story. A good introduction to the Abayudaya people and a lesser-known holiday.

[Liz]

In the Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda, the people go through their traditions, including some brothers' favorite, Sukkoh. While the holiday may be new to some readers, it has familiar themes of competition, jealousy, and working together. I wish there was a photo of a real sukkah in the information about the Abayudaya.

[Erin Decker]

An absolutely beautiful book with beautiful illustrations. Very unique and an important book to share with children about different communities around the world, and how they work together to accomplish missions and take care of one another

[Patricia]

Thank you for introducing me to the Jewish people of Uganda. I'm reminded that the Torah is practiced all over the world. Also interesting to note the subplot of how the spirit of competition brings us all together.
Gorgeous illustrations by Moran Yogev

[BiblioBickie]

Great story of a community coming together after a storm. Community is a Jewish Abayudaya village in eastern Uganda. Excellent choice to diversify Jewish representation as well as a beautiful, organic story of a community coming together appropriate for people of any faith.

[Elizabeth]

My 2.5 year old son and i really enjoyed reading this book together before bedtime. I love the opportunity to learn about Jewish communities around the world, and this was a great little story! We look forward to more stories by this author!

[Cara Byrne]

"The many different people in our community are bound together in the same way"

What a fitting sentiment to describe both the Sukkot celebration and this story that is set in the Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda.

[June]

Shoshi and her brothers make their best sukkah ever, but will it be enough to win? Nice story of a community coming together to help a neighbor. However, I enjoyed the backmatter about "Who are the Abayudaya?" the most.

Sydney Taylor Award Silver Medalist.

[Jess]

I had never heard of the Abayudaya Jewish community in Uganda and had heard of but knew very little about the Jewish holiday Sukkot before reading this book. This was a delightful story of community and I loved it!

[Dennis Fischman]

Lovely little book, colorfully illustrated and with a moral that's not preachy but inspiring. Ideal for children (and adults!) who think that Jews all look alike or have the same customs. Chag sameach!

[Hedy]

A sweet, easy-to-understand story of Jewish practice in a remote and beautiful place. The visuals are stunning.

[Shoshana]

Excellent story and artwork. I highly recommend!

[Elaine Fultz, kinda retired librarian]

Fascinating, likely introduction, story of Ugandan Jews celebrating Sukkot. Unique choice for any storytime or lesson with a theme of community.

[Dolores]

This was a lovely and really interesting story ab0ut a community I was completely unaware of.

[Erin]

This is a lovely cultural story about a group of people that is not widly known. I enjoyed the storyline, the message, and the cultural celebration in it.

[Kate McCartney]

2023 YMA Sydney Taylor picture book award silver medalists