Summary: Yom Ha’atzmaut is the holiday celebrating Israel’s independence every year on the 5th of Iyar, which corresponds to May 14th 1948. This book assists children in learning about this holiday. You can see them floating in the Dead Sea, eating falafel, shopping for souvenirs and the shuk which is like a big outdoor market. It also shows the reader what they can wear when marching in the Happy Birthday, Israel parade!

Personal connection: I used this book in my inquiry project to demonstrate the unity of the people and everyone coming together to celebrate the country that they live in. This book would help show the celebration of the country, Israel, and illustrate to children what people do to celebrate a great nation.

Class use: There is an activity in the book where children can make hats that the people use to celebrate the holiday. Each child would make their own hat, and take part in a mini parade in the classroom. ( )

It’s Israel’s Birthday is a book that depicts the Yom Ha’atzmaut, which is the name for Israel’s date of independence. The book depicts a preschool classroom simulating a trip to Israel during this celebration time, and the different customs and activities that are practiced in Israel. The book also includes Hebrew words and their meanings. It is a culturally significant book because of the positive light it portrays on Jewish customs. This book could be used in a library as a learning tool about different cultures and regions of the world. This learning could be done at a storytime or with various other books and items that could be out on display in the children’s area. ( )