Sammy Spider's First Sukkot

Sammy Spider, that curious little arachnid who lived with his mother in the home of the human Shapiro family, and whose adventures began in 1993 with Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah, returns in this engaging Sukkot picture-book. Once again observing the Shapiros, Sammy learns about the Jewish harvest festival, watching as the humans build and use their sukkah, a temporary outdoor hut meant to represent the structures used by ancient farmers at this time of year. Charmed by this lovely building, Sammy convinces his mother to spend the night under the stars, hanging from a web they have woven from the sukkah's roof...

The second story about Sammy Spider I have read, following upon Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah, Sammy Spider's First Sukkot offers an engaging look at how the eponymous festival is observed. It pairs a simple but engaging story from author Sylvia A. Rouss with appealing collage-style artwork from illustrator Katherine Janus Kahn. Although this is not a book to use to explain the meaning and history of Sukkot, but rather one which celebrates the practices associated with the festival, it does describe the shaking of the lulav, and how this indicates that the presence of God is all around us, in every direction. I appreciated that fact, and I also enjoyed the bright, autumnal colors of the artwork. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Sukkot stories, and to fans of Sammy Spider. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Sukkot stories, and to fans of Sammy Spider. ( )