
From award-winning author Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrator Zara González Hoang comes Measuring a Year, an engaging picture book about celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. They offer a chance to think about the present and the past, to “measure” a year and ourselves. This sweet and thoughtful picture book, perfect for reading aloud, invites young readers and their families to take stock of the happy times and the occasional regrets, as well as the new friends made and new skills gained over the year. Happy New Year! Shana Tova! “The watercolor, colored pencil, and digital artwork portrays a diverse cast of children experiencing a variety of memorable moments throughout the year . . . [a] sweet, accessible book.” — School Library Journal Includes an author’s note featuring additional context about Rosh Hashanah and its customs.
Author
I have always loved words. My parents said I spoke in full sentences before I was a year old. They also said I didn't walk until I was two. I was still a baby when I saw a TV commercial about a vacuum cleaner and its expandable bag. That night, my parents begged me to eat "just one more bite." I refused. Using a phrase I'd learned from the vacuum cleaner commercial, I explained, "My stomach is fully expanded." My parents laughed...and I was saved from having to eat that dreadful "one more bite." My love of words extended to foreign languages. I was one of those kids who loved school. I loved Hebrew school, too. Learning Hebrew taught me that words can be composed of roots and that those roots can change, often in predictable ways. I noticed some of the rules I'd learned in Hebrew applied to English, too. I also love word games, puzzles, and etymology, learning about the origins of words. Some of my other favorite things include being outside, exploring, and being around animals. When I was a child, I wanted a horse. I didn't get one. But when I grew up, my husband and I moved to a farm. That's where we raised our four children...and sheep, chickens, and rabbits. It's also where some of my stories are based. I also love teaching and have taught all ages, from babies through college. I've taught parents, too. When I write stories, I combine so many of the things I love. I'm always learning and exploring...and having a fabulous time!