Joy Nelkin Wieder’s board book ROSH HASHANAH SQUARE-CIRCLE-STAR!: A FIRST SHAPES BOOK (Abrams, 2026), illustrated by Aura Lewis, introduces young readers to different shapes that correspond with Rosh Hashanah symbols. Aura Lewis’s sweet illustrations are wonderfully paired with the book’s fun, rhyming text. ROSH HASHANAH SQUARE-CIRCLE-STAR! is perfect for little ones. I look forward to learning more about this educational and engaging holiday book. Welcome back, Joy!

Can you tell me a bit about how you came up with the idea for a Rosh Hashanah shape book?
 
I heard that PJ Library was looking for board books for their program. About the same time, I found out that there is a Jewish new year for animals, and I thought it would make a great counting book. At first, I focused on the various Jewish new year celebrations—new year of the trees, animals, and calendar year—but I switched to more familiar holidays (based on an editor’s advice). The counting book became the first book in the series, HANUKKAH 1-2-3! The concept of shapes for Rosh Hashanah started with the round challah for a circle, and I went from there. My board books have not been picked up by PJ Library—yet!

As an author/illustrator, what comes first for you the text and the rhyme or the visual ideas for illustrations?
 
It really depends, but in this case, the concept came first and then the text. I submitted some illustration samples to my editor, but she decided to go in a different direction. I think Aura’s illustrations are perfect for this young age group.
 
Board books are so great for very young readers. What do you hope little ones take away from ROSH HASHANAH: SQUARE-CIRCLE-STAR!?
 
It’s really an introduction to the holiday plus reinforcement of early learning concepts, such as shapes and numbers. I hope young readers and their parents have fun reading the book and matching the shapes with the objects associated with Rosh Hashanah.
 
Do you have a favorite illustration? 
 
One of my favorites is the shofar with the little baby covering her ears. I also love the final spread with the whole family around the table laid out with all the objects/shapes from the previous spreads. Aura included some fun surprises, like the little boy under the table and the sunflower centerpiece.

 
What is the biggest challenge creating board books? 
 
Board books have very few words, so you have to be thoughtful with the text. For me, it was the first rhyming book I’ve ever written so that was a personal challenge!
 
Thank you, Joy!

Joy Nelkin Wieder is an author, artist, and educator. Her picture book The Passover Mouse, illustrated by Shahar Kober, was awarded the SCBWI PJ Library Jewish Stories Award and was chosen as a PJ Library Selection. Wieder’s historical novel The Secret Tunnel was selected for the PJ Our Way program. When she’s not writing or illustrating books for children, she might be painting landscapes or training service dogs. Wieder lives outside Boston with her husband and two cats. Learn more at jnwieder.com.