Ruby and her family take a trip to an orchard to pick as many apples as they can before Rosh Hashanah. The harvest is abundant; they return home with more apples than they expected. They are not sure what to do with so many until Ruby suggests that each family member create a new recipe so that they can stage a mock – cooking show. Thus “Cooking with Cousins” is inaugurated.
The trip, the cooking, and the subsequent fun with family are preludes to a lovely and meaningful Rosh Hashanah celebration with Bubbe and Zayde, which includes synagogue attendance and a festive meal.
The vibrant illustrations celebrate multicultural family members, and the book as a whole provides a pleasant introduction to the holiday, centered primarily on family closeness.
An endnote teaches more about the holiday and customs of Rosh Hashanah. Better yet, a recipe for “Ruby’s Sweet Apple Pizza” is included.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.
