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.

Back matter includes a description of each holiday, easy crafts and recipes for every season, and a 3D tear-out dreidel!

“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

Lesléa Newman has created 75 books for readers of all ages, including Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story, The Eight Nights of Chanukah,and A Sweet Passover. Her literary awards include two National Jewish Book Awards, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, and the Christopher Medal. She has received creative writing fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. She lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Susan Gal has illustrated numerous children's books. Her accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award. She began her illustration career as a poster and calendar artist, then worked as an "actor with a pencil" for Disney Animation before returning to her native California to create fun and whimsical illustrations.