Tu B’Shevat Resources From the Hendel Family Library

ADULT COLLECTION

1. Buxbaum, Yitzhak.  A Person is like a Tree: A Sourcebook for Tu BeShvat.

The author explores the meaning of the holiday and its Kabbalistic origins. Details of the Tu B’Shvat seder are included. 

2. Elon, Ari.  Trees, earth, and Torah: A Tu B’Shvat anthology.

This anthology draws from biblical, rabbinical, medieval, and modern sources that address the significance and historical development of the holiday, offers several examples of a “Seder Tu B’Shvat,” and includes mystical writings along with Zionist and Eco-Jewish pieces.

3. Fisher, Adam.  Seder Tu Bishevat, the Festival of Trees. 

The author explores the entire range of traditions pertaining to this holiday, from its origins through the Kabbalistic tradition and into the modern era, in assembling this seder. Two versions are included, one being for occasions with young children. Includes a selection of music. 

4. Monosov, Loren and Gavens, Michelle. 108 trees: a Tu B’Shevat Seder Haggadah.

The items and blessings necessary for a Tu B’Shevat seder. 

5. New York Jewish National Fund.  Branching Out: Your Tu B’Shevat Haggadah.

See above.

YOUTH/CHILDREN

1. Alexander, Sue.  Behold the trees.

A land once protected by all sorts of wonderful trees is reduced over time by war and environmental neglect to desert, until new inhabitants plant trees and slowly make Israel bloom again.

2. Biers-Ariel, Matt.  Solomon and the trees. 

Tells the story of King Solomon and the origins of Tu B’Shevat, a holiday that is celebrated by the planting of trees.

3. Cone, Molly.  Listen to the trees: Jews and the earth. 

Stories and quotations show the Jewish view of the environment in statements from the Torah such as “Care for the trees” and “All living things are connected”. 

4. Elon, Ori.  A basket full of figs. 

When the Emperor Hadrian gallops into the village, its inhabitants hide in fear. All except one. An old man, almost one hundred years old, comes outside to plant a fig tree. While the emperor does not understand why the old man bothers, since he is too old to see the tree bear fruit, the man knows that he is planting for his children, and his children’s children.

5. Gershator, Phillis.  Honi’s circle of trees. 

Retells the wondrous deeds of Honi the Circle Maker who wandered over the land of ancient Israel planting carob seeds.

6. Gold-Vukson, Marji.  Grandpa and me on Tu B’Shevat.

In rhyming, cumulative verse, portrays the tradition of planting a tree on the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. Includes a list of ten ways to celebrate Tu B’Shevat.

7. Gefen, Shira.  The Heart-Shaped Leaf.

This magical tale follows a little girl named Alona on her journey through a windswept park. As she rests under a tree to eat an apple, a golden leaf falls from the branches above. This leaf is different to all the others. It’s heart-shaped, and it protects Alona from the pouring rain. But does this enchanted leaf belong to her? And will she keep her new treasure or help it find its way home?

8. Gellman, Ellie.  Netta and her plant.

When Netta is very small, her preschool teacher gives her a plant for Tu B’Shevat and as the years pass, both Netta and her plant grow and change.

9. Hyde, Heidi.  Pavel and the tree army. 

As they plant trees and do other environmental projects for the Civilian Conservation Corps, Russian immigrants Pavel and Anatoly are happy to find employment during the Great Depression.

10. Karwoski, Gail.  Thank you, trees!

A rhyming tribute to trees and all that they provide, from fruit to shade to paper, on the occasion of Jewish Arbor day, Tu B’Shevat.

11. Korngold, Jamie.  Sadie’s snowy Tu B’Shevat.

Sadie hopes to plant a tree outside to celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, but it is too snowy and cold. Instead, inspired by her grandmother’s memories, she plants parsley instead. 

12. Rosenberg, Madelyn.  Happy Birthday, Trees! A Tu B’Shevat Story.
    Joni and Nate figure out how to celebrate a tree’s birthday for Tu B’Shevat.
13. Rouss, Sylvia.  Sammy Spider’s first Tu B’Shevat.

Sammy Spider participates in the holiday of Tu B’Shevat by spinning a special web for his friend the tree.

14. Weber, Doba.  Dear Tree. 

On the Jewish holiday of Tu B’shvat, a boy offers prayers and good wishes for his favorite tree. 

15. Zolkower, Edie. It’s Tu B’Shevat.

Rhyming verse and brightly colored illustrations tell the story of a boy and his family planting a tree for Tu B’Shevat and watching it grow. A board book. 

Electronic

1. Shalom Sesame.   Grover Plants a Tree. (DVD)

It’s Tu Bishvat! Grover, Brosh, and Avigail get back to nature as they learn how to plant trees and make the world a better place.