Shavuot, Shavuot, Why Are You Sad?

PreS-Gr 2–The Jewish holiday of Shavuot is personified and feeling down. ­Shavuot laments being overlooked compared to more widely celebrated holidays like ­Hanukkah and Passover. Colorful, appealing illustrations by Gierlinski (Overdue: The ­Misadventure of Bob the Book) support the narrative, though the repeated theme of Shavuot’s ­sadness may wear thin for some. Still, it serves as a creative and engaging framing device for exploring Jewish holidays across the calendar year. The ending, featuring Shemini Atzeret, adds a humorous, playful touch, and the author’s note provides helpful context and a concise explanation of Shavuot’s significance for readers of all backgrounds. While the concept may outshine the execution of Rand’s first book for children, this title fills a much-needed gap in Jewish holiday representation and serves as a strong supplemental choice for libraries seeking to diversify their collections. It also functions well as a discussion tool for classrooms or story times, where adults can guide readers through less familiar ­holidays. ­Characters have diverse skin tones and body types. ­