An Etrog from Across the Sea

by Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky, Stacey Dressen McQueen (Illustrator)

Overview

Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog for Sukkot from his journey across the sea. Rachel and Abe go to the docks every day to wait for his ship. But Rosh Hashanah passes, then Yom Kippur, and still Papa's ship doesn't arrive. Grandpapa Luis comforts Rachel with a beautiful silver etrog cup, but will her papa return in time for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798765604496
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 9 Years

About the Author

Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen is the author of many award-winning children's books including Papa Jethro and Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.

Stacey Dressen McQueen is the illustrator of several award-winning picture books, including Boxes for Katje, which Publishers Weekly named a Best Children's Book of the Year. She works in pencil, oil pastel, and acrylic. She grew up on a farm in South Dakota and lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.

Editorial Reviews

"This touching story, written by two rabbis, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of colonial America and celebrates the warmth of family togetherness. A homey, appealing holiday celebration."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-05-17
A Jewish family in colonial New York hopes Papa will come back in time for Sukkot.

In July 1729, Leah, Aaron, and Mama wait for Papa, a merchant currently on the island of Corsica, to return to their woodland homestead. The Jewish holidays are approaching, and Papa has promised to bring home an etrog, a citrus fruit resembling a bumpy lemon. (This fruit is one of four plants used to decorate a sukkah, a small hut built by observant Jews to celebrate Sukkot.) The family travels to Grandpapa Luis’ elegant New York City home to await Papa’s ship; it doesn’t come. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur pass; still, Papa doesn’t return. At last, Mama declares it’s time they leave; she must run their business. Grandpapa Luis gives Leah a silver cup; she can put the etrog into it when Papa finally comes back. Back home, the family builds and decorates their sukkah and waits. The first night of Sukkot is especially joyous: Papa returns, bringing his promised bounty. This touching story, written by two rabbis, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of colonial America and celebrates the warmth of family togetherness. The authors’ note explains that Grandpapa Luis is based on Luis Moises Gomez, a Sephardic Jewish colonial merchant and trader. The lovely, stylized illustrations expertly capture historical details and resemble delicate paintings on porcelain or needlework on embroidery samplers.

A homey, appealing holiday celebration. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews