Edie Stoltz Zolkower

Cute story of everyone trying to help by adding something nice to the charoses. Fortunately the doorbell rings at the right time of the Seder, and the family's neighbors, not obviously Elijah, save the day by offering their extra, edible, charoses.

The story gives a child friendly description of Tu B' Shevat a Jewish holiday. It is a holiday about honoring trees. It is a New year for trees. This book comes under questioning because it leaves spaces for questions. Children would want to know more about the holiday, religion and culture. It has oppurtunities for open ended questions and critical thinking.

The simple rhyming text of this board book beings with "Grab a shovel. Pick a spot. Plant a tree, it's Tu B'Shevat!" and continues as a young boy and his family plant a tree, say a blessing, enjoy the shade, the fruit, and the birds, and watch the tree grow.