Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. I love holiday books! Especially books about holidays that many might not be familiar with. Today’s featured book is about a Jewish holiday called Sukkot . The seven days of Sukkot commemorate how the Jewish people were sheltered and protected on their long journey from Egypt to Israel — as well as celebrating the abundance of the annual harvest. As a teenager, I babysat for a family who always constructed a sukkah…a little structure where they gathered to pray, eat, sing, and share blessings with friends and family. The children helped make decorations to hang inside the sukkah – and if you stick around till the end of this post, you’ll find instructions for some that you can make with your family. I always thought it was one of the most joyous holidays…and when I heard that Ann Koffsky had a new picture book that just launched called KAYLA AND KUGEL’S SILLY SUKKOT, I knew I’d want to share it with all of you.

KAYLA AND KUGEL’S SILLY SUKKOT

Written and illustrated by Ann Koffsky

Published by Apples and Honey Press

Ages: 3-6

Themes: Sukkot, family,

Synopsis: From Amazon:

Kayla and her mischievous dog Kugel are back to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and explain it to young children.

In the fourth Kayla and Kugel book, Kayla helps her family build and decorate their sukkah in the backyard. As her puppy playfully interferes, Kayla energetically helps with the holiday preparations while explaining to her pup how and why they build and decorate this temporary house in their backyard as part of the holiday in simple, direct language that young children will find easy to grasp. Colorful Illustrations include a comparison of an ancient hut with a modern-day succah, as well as Kugel’s puppy antics.

An end note from the author further clarifies details of this harvest time celebration, with its emphasis on giving thanks and welcoming friends, and includes suggestions for creating decorations for a sukkah.

Why I Love This Book:
1. I love books that are part of a series – and kids love them too. They connect with the characters and are excited to find out what the next adventure will bring.
2. I love the action in the story – as the puppy gets into all sorts of mischief as the children try to help decorate the sukkah.
3. I love Ann’s fabulously vibrant art. And she provides activities and more information in the backmatter.

Author/illustrator Ann stopped by to chat and she shared the inspiration for this book:
ANN: The inspiration for the story comes from all the wonderful Sukkot I celebrated in my parent’s Sukkah. I even made Kayla’s sukkah the same blue and yellow colors that they had.

I love that, Ann! And it’s a good tip for everyone out there who is wondering what book they should start working on next. Think back to your childhood – holiday gatherings or other special family times makes perfect material for a book for children!

RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Citrus bird-feeder decorations

For detailed instructions and other crafts to create to decorate the sukkah: https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/september-2017/7-no-waste-decorations-to-make-for-your-sukkah

How can we help books become a success, you ask? We can:
Buy them
Review them
Tell friends about them (Please share this post on your social media)
Ask our local library to purchase copies for their collection

Ann is also offering a giveaway of a SIGNED copy of KAYLA AND KUGEL’S SILLY SUKKOT. Please make sure you leave a comment – did you have a favorite holiday when you were a child?

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Last weekend was a nostalgia trip to New York City with my son – we had the BEST time! Visiting with family, walking through Central Park, watching fireworks at Coney island. And we ate everything New York, including cheesecake from Juniors.