Measuring a Year

Linda Elovitz Marshall, an award-winning author, teams up with illustrator Zara González Hoang for a picture book about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The holiday, together with Yom Kippur, is a time to look back on what came before and think ahead, weighing both a year and oneself.

Following a group of children over the course of a year, the story recalls happy days, the occasional regret, new friendships, and skills learned along the way. Watercolor, colored pencil and digital art show a diverse cast of children in memorable moments. The text is meant to be read aloud, inviting young readers and their families to reflect on the year that has passed. Greetings of Happy New Year and Shana Tova run through the book.

The book also includes an author's note with further background on Rosh Hashanah and its customs.