What do you think?
Rate this book
Challah Day!
It’s Challah Day! A family mixes, kneads, and braids bread in this joyful, rhyming story about a Jewish holiday food that’s baked with love.
From kneading sticky dough to gathering with family around the table, Challah Day celebrates family, food, heritage, and tradition! Join this happy family as they bake delicious braided egg bread for their Friday night Shabbat dinner.
Yeast and sugar - water’s warm,
mix and watch those bubbles form!
Crack the eggs – one… two… three… four
Extra if some hit the floor.
Messy flour and laughter abound. The scent of warm bread fills the house. Grandma and Grandpa bring the candles and hugs. Parents, kids, and baby too, can read this kid-friendly, rhyming recipe together.
Inspired by memories author Charlotte Offsay and illustrator Jason Kirschner have of baking Challah with their children, Challah Day celebrates the sweetness of sharing homemade food as a family.
In the back of the book, read about the cultural importance of Challah and Jewish traditions. This read aloud can be a joyful introduction to a new culture or a cozy way to celebrate a familiar one. Perfect for any occasion as a holiday gift or the start of a new weekly tradition.
A Challah recipe is included.
From kneading sticky dough to gathering with family around the table, Challah Day celebrates family, food, heritage, and tradition! Join this happy family as they bake delicious braided egg bread for their Friday night Shabbat dinner.
Yeast and sugar - water’s warm,
mix and watch those bubbles form!
Crack the eggs – one… two… three… four
Extra if some hit the floor.
Messy flour and laughter abound. The scent of warm bread fills the house. Grandma and Grandpa bring the candles and hugs. Parents, kids, and baby too, can read this kid-friendly, rhyming recipe together.
Inspired by memories author Charlotte Offsay and illustrator Jason Kirschner have of baking Challah with their children, Challah Day celebrates the sweetness of sharing homemade food as a family.
In the back of the book, read about the cultural importance of Challah and Jewish traditions. This read aloud can be a joyful introduction to a new culture or a cozy way to celebrate a familiar one. Perfect for any occasion as a holiday gift or the start of a new weekly tradition.
A Challah recipe is included.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2023
69 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Offsay
10 books122 followersCharlotte Offsay was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Born into a family with a love of travel and adventure, Charlotte enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She is a former corporate finance client specialist who now spends her days caring for her family, volunteering in her local community, traveling, and using her experiences to fuel her true passion: writing.
Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.
Her debut picture book, The Big Beach Cleanup, will be published by Albert Whitman in March 2021, followed by How to Return a Monster releasing Fall 2021 with Beaming Books. A Grandma's Magic, will be published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House in Spring 2022.
For more information visit www.charlotteoffsay.com. She is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.
Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.
Her debut picture book, The Big Beach Cleanup, will be published by Albert Whitman in March 2021, followed by How to Return a Monster releasing Fall 2021 with Beaming Books. A Grandma's Magic, will be published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House in Spring 2022.
For more information visit www.charlotteoffsay.com. She is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 16, 2023
"Challah Day" is a heartwarming children's book that beautifully captures the joy and togetherness of baking Challah bread—a cherished Jewish holiday tradition. Through delightful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, readers join a loving family as they mix, knead, and braid bread with love. This charming story celebrates the sweetness of sharing homemade food, family bonds, and cultural heritage, while also providing insight into the cultural importance of Challah and Jewish traditions. "Challah Day" is a perfect read-aloud for any occasion, inviting children to embrace new cultures or embrace familiar ones, making it an ideal addition to any bookshelf or a thoughtful holiday gift.
August 6, 2023
This book is SO. MUCH. FUN! I mean, that title alone -- brilliant! In fast-paced, snappy rhymes, the story describes a family as they spend quality time together making challah for their Shabbat dinner that evening. I really love the energy of this book! And Mr. Kirschner’s bright, animated illustrations have a very Pixar-like vibe and add SO much silly humor! (No spoilers, but my favorite spread is the one where the family dog gets in on the action by helping the kids braid the challah. Adorable!) The book also include fabulous back matter with information about the history and meaning of challah, and a recipe for families to try together at home. Such a great book!
October 24, 2023
Challah Day does a great job showing the fun of baking together as a family and portraying this Jewish family's tradition and the bonds they feel as they bake together. The baby and dog are silly, the illustrations are realistic (yet comical) and have a bit of an "Incredibles" feel. There are helpful tips and recipes of how one might give making Challah a try. The books reads a little like a glorified how-to for the recipe and imply the cozy the warmth of sharing Challah with family.
Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Challah Day! does a less-good job explaining what Challah is and why it might be served. While we now get the feelings of making Challah together, we don't have a good grasp of the whys/whats of Challah. As soon as we finished the story, my first grader asked, "What is Challah?" but had lost interest too much to want to dig through the more detailed back matter that might help her understand.
Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Challah Day! does a less-good job explaining what Challah is and why it might be served. While we now get the feelings of making Challah together, we don't have a good grasp of the whys/whats of Challah. As soon as we finished the story, my first grader asked, "What is Challah?" but had lost interest too much to want to dig through the more detailed back matter that might help her understand.
September 24, 2023
"Challah Day!" is a picture book about a family's tradition of making challah bread together. Sweet as a song, this rhyming picture book is an infectious invitation to try baking challah bread, too. Playful illustrations in a retro mid-Century palette and presentation put challah's ingredients centerstage and cast the family members as supporting characters. "Challah Day!" will appeal greatly to families that share the tradition and bring those unfamiliar with the bread and it's unique features close enough to take a tasty bite.
December 30, 2022
This is such a fun book celebrating a beautiful Jewish ritual. Eating challah is one thing, but making it together with family or friends brings it to another level. This lovely story brings the reader into the kitchen with the characters learning to make challah. The back matter explains what challah is, what it symbolizes, and even gives a recipe! Charlotte Offsay's sweet rhyme and Jason Kirschner's beautiful illustrations make this a book that families will want to read together over and over. I highly recommend this book. ***I was given a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2023
What a fun book celebrating a yummy Jewish tradition! Offsay's fast-paced, rhythmic text paired with
Kirschner's delightful illustrations makes the joy of this family baking tradition leap right off the pages. Add in back matter that explains challah and its importance not only to the Jewish community but to the author and her family as well, and you get a delightful read that will make everyone want to race to their kitchens and start making challah. Luckily the back matter also includes a challah recipe with explicit "how to make" details. Highly recommend this "delicious" book.
Kirschner's delightful illustrations makes the joy of this family baking tradition leap right off the pages. Add in back matter that explains challah and its importance not only to the Jewish community but to the author and her family as well, and you get a delightful read that will make everyone want to race to their kitchens and start making challah. Luckily the back matter also includes a challah recipe with explicit "how to make" details. Highly recommend this "delicious" book.
November 16, 2023
11/15/2023 Delightful. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
11/16/2023 This delightful picture book shows, in rhyming verse, the joys of baking challah together as a family in anticipation of Shabbat (or really any occasion!)
A charming family of four plus a corgi get together to bake their recipe for challah, showing how teamwork and not taking things too seriously help them not only make a delicious meal -- featuring the traditional braided bread of the title -- but also host loved ones around the table. While the family and traditions are unabashedly Jewish, the messages of working together as a family and taking joy in cooking and dining together are universal.
The expressive, slightly retro illustrations perfectly complement Charlotte Orsay's lively verse, tho I'll admit that the former restaurant industry professional in me blanched when the dog gripped one end of the challah dough for the kids to braid. I did really love how the kids took care to help their parents with tasks, and even amuse each other while their parents were busy cooking and cleaning. It's a wonderful lesson in being proactive for young (and even some older!) readers.
The book closes with a section explaining what makes challah different from other breads, as well as explanations of its other characteristics. I loved the emphasis both in this section and throughout that everyone has a different challah recipe, and that there's no one right way to do it. That said, there is a recipe included here that makes 4 loaves. One thing I learned from the pandemic lockdowns is that I very much appreciate the work of professional bakers, and will leave most bread baking to them. It's always good to have a solid challah recipe in one's back pocket, tho, should the need arise.
Overall, this is a terrific addition to the library of any child, particularly ones interested in cooking. Just don't let them let the family pets get too involved!
Challah Day by Charlotte Offsay & Jason Kirschner was published August 1 2023 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop.
11/16/2023 This delightful picture book shows, in rhyming verse, the joys of baking challah together as a family in anticipation of Shabbat (or really any occasion!)
A charming family of four plus a corgi get together to bake their recipe for challah, showing how teamwork and not taking things too seriously help them not only make a delicious meal -- featuring the traditional braided bread of the title -- but also host loved ones around the table. While the family and traditions are unabashedly Jewish, the messages of working together as a family and taking joy in cooking and dining together are universal.
The expressive, slightly retro illustrations perfectly complement Charlotte Orsay's lively verse, tho I'll admit that the former restaurant industry professional in me blanched when the dog gripped one end of the challah dough for the kids to braid. I did really love how the kids took care to help their parents with tasks, and even amuse each other while their parents were busy cooking and cleaning. It's a wonderful lesson in being proactive for young (and even some older!) readers.
The book closes with a section explaining what makes challah different from other breads, as well as explanations of its other characteristics. I loved the emphasis both in this section and throughout that everyone has a different challah recipe, and that there's no one right way to do it. That said, there is a recipe included here that makes 4 loaves. One thing I learned from the pandemic lockdowns is that I very much appreciate the work of professional bakers, and will leave most bread baking to them. It's always good to have a solid challah recipe in one's back pocket, tho, should the need arise.
Overall, this is a terrific addition to the library of any child, particularly ones interested in cooking. Just don't let them let the family pets get too involved!
Challah Day by Charlotte Offsay & Jason Kirschner was published August 1 2023 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop.
July 21, 2023
I love how Charlotte used rhyme to share her recipe and tell the story of your family making challah bread.
Come and bake with us today!
Mom and Dad and Baby too.
We love challah—so will you!
I agree with this last line. Each page puts the reader inside Charlotte’s home and right into the action with her family while making challah all the way to eating at the dining room table.
Crack the eggs – one… two… three… four
Extra if some hit the floor.
What a great idea to show the eggs on the floor and the dog licking it up, hands getting sticky, and the dog trying to pull out the plastic wrap. With Jason’s fun cartoon style illustrations, I closed the book feeling like I had been invited in and spent the day with Charlotte’s family. The only thing missing was challah bread filling my stomach. I am sure this book will inspire other families and their children to want to make challah – I know I will be trying the recipe at the end.
Come and bake with us today!
Mom and Dad and Baby too.
We love challah—so will you!
I agree with this last line. Each page puts the reader inside Charlotte’s home and right into the action with her family while making challah all the way to eating at the dining room table.
Crack the eggs – one… two… three… four
Extra if some hit the floor.
What a great idea to show the eggs on the floor and the dog licking it up, hands getting sticky, and the dog trying to pull out the plastic wrap. With Jason’s fun cartoon style illustrations, I closed the book feeling like I had been invited in and spent the day with Charlotte’s family. The only thing missing was challah bread filling my stomach. I am sure this book will inspire other families and their children to want to make challah – I know I will be trying the recipe at the end.
September 10, 2023
With its lively rhyming text simply filled with exuberance and its detailed illustrations, created with Procreate, this picture book celebrates the joys of sharing a family and cultural tradition. Each page offers readers a glimpse into the entire process, from the gathering and mixing of ingredients to kneading the dough, giving it time to rise, and baking it. Of course, all this work is made to seem like fun, providing family bonding time, as everyone, even the dog, eagerly awaits that hot-out-of-the-oven fresh bread. For those of us who've never had a bite of challah bread, this picture book makes it clear we need to try some, and there's a helpful recipe as well as suggestions for various additional ingredients in the back matter. All of them sound yummy. Perhaps this family appreciates the challah bread even more because of how each member of the family had a hand in its production.
July 17, 2023
This book is brimming with goodness from engaging end papers, to informative back matter, and of course, the entirely fun story in-between. This rhyming read aloud, with hilarious, and engaging art is a perfect choice for any story time. Challah Day celebrates a family tradition of making challah by breaking down each step into playful moments of connection with loved ones, culminating into a family gathering that is filled with meaning and togetherness. Back matter offers readers a recipe to try at home, and information about the Jewish traditions and symbolism around making challah. The author’s note also adds a personal touch. Highly recommend this book! Would also make a great gift!
July 31, 2023
Hooray hooray for CHALLAH DAY! Oh my gosh -- this book is deliciously delightful!!! Charlotte Offsay playfully sings in this story as she brings us into the all sensory satisfactions of celebrating Challah Day. Challah is a Jewish bread that is made for the Sabbath. The story focuses on the making of the bread while also layering in what the making of the bread represents and realizes which is family togetherness, heritage and tradition. You feel like you are right there in the kitchen - experiencing the warmth and joy and love with the family. I went onto Charlotte's Instagram after reading and discovered many videos of her making Challah with her own kiddos and you feel that she truly wrote what she feels in her heart. This is a must-have for any library.
August 7, 2023
Challah Day is a wonderful story that takes readers through the entire process of baking Challah, a Jewsih egg bread. The narrative is informative while also being entertaining. The rhyming text makes this a fun read aloud and the illustrations take the reader into a fun and imaginative space. This story captures the excitement of baking and the anticipation of waiting for baked goods to come out of the oven to be shared with loved ones. The book is complete with detailed back matter that includes additional facts about Challah bread and even a recipe so the reader can make their own bread at home. This book should be in every kitchen and on every bookshelf! 5 stars.
April 1, 2024
Suddenly I seem to be surrounded by a wealth of children's books that feature families in the kitchen together - and it's AWESOME!
This one has a delightful rhyming text that trips nicely over the tongue, and adorable illustrations by Jason Kirschner.
Of course there's a recipe, though be warned - there are also 16 steps! That's a LOTTA family togetherness . . .
This one has a delightful rhyming text that trips nicely over the tongue, and adorable illustrations by Jason Kirschner.
Of course there's a recipe, though be warned - there are also 16 steps! That's a LOTTA family togetherness . . .
January 12, 2023
A fun rhyming text with playful illustrations shows the process for making challah in celebration of Jewish holidays. Kids will love following along in the bread-making process and enjoying the light humor embedded throughout. Backmatter details the history of challah and its significance to Jewish people. I can also see some great STEM connections to this text, including around yeast and fermentation.
July 24, 2023
Challah Day! is a picture book that follows one child’s excitement to make challah, a special Jewish egg bread. Offsay tells the story in fun rhyming text that mirrors the main character’s enthusiasm. Kirschner’s whimsical art pairs really well with the simple story about this Jewish cultural tradition. The book offers plenty of back matter, including a challah recipe. Young ones and people young at heart will enjoy this great picture book!
April 13, 2024
A beautiful introduction to challah and Jewish traditions, this book will be educational for some and a comforting reflection of family traditions for others. I always love a book that includes a recipe, and this book takes it a step further by including two pages at the end to explain what challah is, why it is called challah, and what it symbolizes. I'm grateful to be adding this to our school library's collection.
November 4, 2024
What a fun and perfect family book! I love how the rhyme takes the children through baking challah and the joy it brings as they make a little mess but it doesn’t matter! Such happiness! When they need help, the parents are ready to lend a hand and the pup is ready to lend a paw.
All the steps of baking are included and the best part - grandparents and eating it together! So satisfying plus excellent back matter make this a great book for my library!
All the steps of baking are included and the best part - grandparents and eating it together! So satisfying plus excellent back matter make this a great book for my library!
January 18, 2026
This was such a fun book to read!
It's the family's day to make challah. They go through the steps and roll out the ingredients, with all these being narrated with fun rhymes and short verses. The guests arrive and the candles are lit and everyone partakes in the homemade challah made with lots of love.
It's a great way to learn about this Jewish custom and tradition. And now, I can't wait to try a bite of challah using the recipe provided at the back.
It's the family's day to make challah. They go through the steps and roll out the ingredients, with all these being narrated with fun rhymes and short verses. The guests arrive and the candles are lit and everyone partakes in the homemade challah made with lots of love.
It's a great way to learn about this Jewish custom and tradition. And now, I can't wait to try a bite of challah using the recipe provided at the back.
July 31, 2023
Not just heartwarming and educational, but this fun rhyming book will teach you how to make challah. The illustrations are adorable and everyone can learn from this story (I know I did and want my students to!) A family fun atmosphere full of love is created and now all I want to do is make challah (and eat it, too.)
August 9, 2023
This is such a fun and joyful book. I love the energetic rhymes, and the illustrations add a ton of humor. (Look for the dog joining in on the baking- so funny!) A perfect read aloud for kids interested in baking, Jewish traditions, or just fun rhyming stories. And I can't wait to try out the recipe in the back of the book. A must-have!
August 10, 2023
This is an absolutely adorable book about making (and then enjoying!) this special bread. The illustrations are fantastic, bringing the fun, energetic rhymes to life, and it makes me and my kids want to head straight to the kitchen to try this out! I highly recommend it for anyone who's looking for a unique activity to share with their kids - would be a great gift, too!
August 11, 2023
We love challah, and we love this book! It's such a fun book, and the illustrations are amazing. As someone who makes (gluten free) challah each week with the family, I really appreciate how this book shows the joy in sharing this weekly tradition with loved ones. Great book, and now I'm hungry for freshly baked bread!
August 16, 2023
A wonderful book!
My kids absolutely adore this book! In fact, we've read it every night since we got it! The rhyming story is playful and interesting - and my older kids enjoy taking turns to read it out loud. The illustrations are colourful and fun. I really liked the information about challah at the end, and we can't wait to make the recipe the author included! So happy to have got this :)
My kids absolutely adore this book! In fact, we've read it every night since we got it! The rhyming story is playful and interesting - and my older kids enjoy taking turns to read it out loud. The illustrations are colourful and fun. I really liked the information about challah at the end, and we can't wait to make the recipe the author included! So happy to have got this :)
February 6, 2024
Rhyming text describes the ingredients and process for making challah--a special Jewish bread eaten on Shabbat.
A recipe is included in the back of the book.
Making challah is portrayed as a fun activity that is part of a Jewish family's Shabbat tradition.
Tie-in with Bible stories about the Israelites receiving manna during their desert wanderings.
A recipe is included in the back of the book.
Making challah is portrayed as a fun activity that is part of a Jewish family's Shabbat tradition.
Tie-in with Bible stories about the Israelites receiving manna during their desert wanderings.
January 12, 2025
Very cute book. Made me hungry.
However, as much as I love dogs, that corgi should not be 1) holding the plastic wrap the dough is getting wrapped in, in their mouth; 2) setting the fine China on the table with its mouth;) 3) mouthing the end of the dough while the children braid the bread; 4) eating bread with raisins and/or chocolate in it.
Recipe looks good too.
However, as much as I love dogs, that corgi should not be 1) holding the plastic wrap the dough is getting wrapped in, in their mouth; 2) setting the fine China on the table with its mouth;) 3) mouthing the end of the dough while the children braid the bread; 4) eating bread with raisins and/or chocolate in it.
Recipe looks good too.
January 10, 2023
I love books that inspire kids to get involved in the process. This is the perfect picture book and a great conversation starter about food, their cultural significance, and the joy of sharing them with people we love. We can't wait to make challah with the recipe in this book!
July 28, 2023
A super fun rhyming book about a family making challah and sharing it with loved ones. The text will roll of your tongue and the art is adorable. And a recipe for challah is included in the back matter. YUM!
September 18, 2023
A rhyming celebration of challah that takes the reader through the process of baking this sweet braided bread. Notes at the end provide further information on the history and cultural significance of challah.
Themes: Bread, Family, Jewish Life, Rhyming
Age range: Toddler-Preschool
Themes: Bread, Family, Jewish Life, Rhyming
Age range: Toddler-Preschool
January 16, 2024
Do you like bread? Do you like baking? Do you like family gatherings? Then you are sure to like this fun to read aloud, rhyming picture book about having fun and making memories. Back matter includes a recipe and Why, What, and How information about challah.
January 21, 2024
I love the rhyming recipe in CHALLAH DAY! (And adore the clever title!) I devoured this story and went away with both new knowledge and a serious craving. Fabulous backmatter about Jewish traditions, too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews