There may be a wind chill below freezing and perhaps some snow in the forecast, but inside our homes and synagogues it’s spring like as we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
In Israel the month of Shevat marks the beginning of the growing season when the trees bud and flower. It’s a perfect time for planting.
So there is a lot of pretending in far colder New Jersey, but isn’t it nice to imagine?
While Tu B’Shevat also had a very serious side to it as one of the financial landmarks of the year, it’s often treated as a holiday just for kids in modern America and has also taken on the identity of an ecological holiday as Jewish Earth Day.
Below are some children’s books that get into the spirit of the holiday –even if they are not directly about trees- and make young readers aware of the world around them and their ability to affect that world. They are perfect to share with your children, grandchildren or a favorite young friend
Biers-Ariel, The Seven Species: stories and recipes inspired by the foods of the Bible: Background information about each of the seven species is provided, highlighting its role in Jewish texts and history.
Biers-Ariel, Solomon and the Trees: The story of King Solomon and the origins of Tu B’Shevat.
Cone, Listen to the Trees: Stories and quotations show the Jewish view of the environment.
Gellman, Netta and Her Plant: just like a plant that is well cared for, Netta grows and flourishes.
Gershator, Honi’s Circle of Trees: tells the story of Honi the Circle Maker who wandered over the land of ancient Israel planting carob seeds.
Gottesfeld, The Tree in the Courtyard: the story of the chestnut tree that grew outside the window of AnneFrank’s hiding place.
Lehman-Wilzig, Green Bible Stories for Children: Selected Bible stories are retold, and reinforced with activities that will help young readers understand how to nurture and protect the environment.
Lemniscates, Trees: A simple introduction to trees describing seasonal changes, different habitats and the contributions trees make to the environment.
Levine, All Eyes on Alexandra: Will Alexandra the crane be able to lead the flock on its migration to Israel’s Hula Valley?
Levine, Pearl Moscowitz’s Last Stand: Pearl Moscowitz takes a stand to protect a beloved ginko tree that the city government tries to chop down.
Sasso, Prayer for the Earth: the story of Naamah, Noah’s wife: God asks Naamah to gather the seeds of every type of plant on Earth and bring them safely onto the ark before the great flood.
Snyder, The Forever Garden: a young girl and her older neighbor bond over gardening.
Wildsmith, Professor Noah’s Spaceship: The animals and birds, unhappy with the changes in the forest, fly away in Professor Noah’s amazing spaceship. An ecological tale.
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