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Tu B'Shevat

TU B'SHEVAT IS A MINOR HOLIDAY that is sometimes called the New Year for Trees. It comes at the very beginning of spring, when the rains are plentiful and the trees blossom in Israel (though in some parts of America there's still snow on the ground at this "springtime" celebration). The words "Tu B'Shevat" literally mean the 15th of the month of Shvat.

Today, many people mark this holiday by planting saplings and participating in a meal that evokes the Passover seder, where fruits, nuts, and wine or grape juice are on the menu. Besides the seder, many families spend Tu B'Shevat planting a tree, working in a garden, eating special fruit, or doing something else to show some love for trees and the earth.

Holiday description provided by Kveller.com

Tu B'Shevat Books for Children

Here is a list of Tu B'Shevat-related books sent out by PJ Library this year or in the past.

  • Review All Tu B'Shevat-Related Children's Books

    • Tu B'Shevat Activities

    Below are activity ideas aimed at making Tu B'Shevat more meaningful and enjoyable for the entire family:

  • "Tu B'Shevat 101"
    A thorough overview of Tu B'Shevat's history and traditions from MyJewishLearning.

  • "Tu B'Shevat Crafts"
    A collection of holiday-related craft ideas for children from ChallahCrumbs.com.

  • "Jewish Tree Songs"
    This original Carol Boyd Leon Tu B'shevat song is a favorite among preschoolers, who enjoy all the action lyrics -- clapping, stomping, planting, growing, swaying, etc.

  • "Shalom Sesame Celebrates"
    Shalom Sesame character Avigail learns plants a little tree for Tu B'Shevat.

  • "Seven Species Delicacies"
    Kveller.com writers Ariela and Peter Pelaia offer recipes that feature the seven fruits and grains used to celebrate Tu B'Shevat.

  • "Library Books about Trees"
    The children's book blog, forwardsBooks, has compiled this list of kids' books reflecting the values of Tu B'Shevat.

  • "Mini Tu B'Shevat Seder"
    The Jewish Community Center Association outlines an early childhood version of a Tu B'Shevat Seder.

    • (Trans) Denominational Resources

    Check out the Tu B'Shevat resources provided by these Jewish organizations and movements:

  • Jewish Outreach Institute
  • Union for Reform Judaism
  • United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
  • Society for Humanistic Judaism
  • Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
  • Orthodox Union
  • Chabad


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