The Sundown Kid
MY FAVORITES
BUY THIS BOOK
Age Range
5 - 8
Genre
folktale
Copyright Year
2017-01-07
Page Count
32
Publisher
August House
Grade Level
K - 2nd
ISBN
9781939160942
Lexile
AD500
Themes
Jewish culture & traditions
community
resourcefulness

The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat

Written by Barbara Bietz and Illustrated by John Kanzler

In The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat, a young boy and his family move to the desert Southwest and struggle with feeling lonely as the only Jewish family in their new town. To help cure his mother’s homesickness, the resourceful boy decides to invite all their new neighbors over for a warm Shabbat dinner. This charming historical picture book shows how sharing a meal and honoring traditions can turn a group of strangers into a close-knit community.

Support Materials

Explore RIF's Lesson Planning Resources Collection, including read aloud templates, vocabulary materials, thematic activities, and student-facing graphic organizers to enhance your daily instruction. You can also create your own word search, criss cross or memory match puzzle using our puzzle maker tool.

Can’t find the resource you’re looking for?
REQUEST A RESOURCE
Age Range
5 - 8
Genre
folktale
Copyright Year
2017-01-07
Page Count
32
Publisher
August House
Grade Level
K - 2nd
ISBN
9781939160942
Lexile
AD500
Themes
Jewish culture & traditions
community
resourcefulness
Additional Book Resources
21102

Atariba and Niguayona: A Story from the Taino People of Puerto Rico (Tales of the Americas) (English & Spanish edition)

Written by Harriet Rohmer & Jesus Guerrero Rea and Illustrated by Consuelo Mendez Castillo

A Taino Indian legend about a young boy and his search for the healing caimoni tree.

2nd - 5th
InvitingWolfIn.jpg

Inviting the Wolf In: Thinking About Difficult Stories (Story Cove)

Written by Loren Niemi & Elizabeth Ellis
Some stories are hard to tell because they talk about things that are sad, scary, or confusing. These kinds of stories can be tough for the person telling them and for the person listening. But when they’re shared with kindness and care, they can help people understand each other and even feel braver.
5th - 10th

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

Written and Illustrated by Mark Teague

Three pigs spend their money on different things: potato chips, sody-pop, and building supplies. It...

Pre-K - 2nd
Juan Bobo

Juan Bobo Sends the Pig to Mass

Written by Arí Acevedo and Illustrated by Tom Wrenn
When Juan Bobo thinks his pig wants to go to church, he dresses the animal in his mother’s best clothes and sparkling jewelry.
Pre-K - 3rd
Ghostwise.jpg

Ghostwise: A Book of Midnight Stories

Written by Dan Yashinsky
A spellbinding gathering of eerie and enchanting tales, this collection brings together ghostly encounters and supernatural wonders from cultures around the world. Master storytellers—Mariella Bertelli, Alice Kane, Cathy Miyata, Stanley Sparkles, and many others—share stories that shimmer with mystery and imagination.
4th - 8th
Fat Cat

Fat Cat: A Danish Folktale

Written by Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Fat Cat: A Danish Folktale is a hilarious and colorful retelling of a classic story about a cat whose hunger knows no bounds. After eating everything from a washerwoman to a king and his elephant, the greedy cat meets his match when he finally swallows a clever little mouse.
Pre-K - 2nd
Rooster's Night Out

Rooster's Night Out

Written by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
Rooster's Night Out is a humorous Cuban folktale about a vain rooster who gets tomato juice on his feathers right before a big party.
Pre-K - 3rd

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At...

K - 4th
FavoriteScaryStoriesAmChildrenAH.jpg

Favorite Scary Stories of American Children

Written by Richard Young
Kids love a good scare—and these stories, gathered from children themselves, are some of their all‑time favorites. These are the classic spooky tales kids ask for again and again. They’ll lean in to hear how Wylie outsmarted the dreadful Hairy Man, or how Skunnee Wundee and an unlikely friend managed to defeat the mighty Stone Giant.
4th - 6th
Anansi and Turtle Go to Dinner

Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner

Written by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk and Illustrated by Baird Hoffmire
In Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner, the clever but selfish spider Anansí tries to trick his friend Turtle to avoid sharing a delicious meal. However, Turtle soon comes up with a smart plan of his own to teach the trickster a funny lesson about being a good host.
Pre-K - 3rd

The Paper Crane

Written and Illustrated by Molly Bang

Business returns to a once-prosperous restaurant when a mysterious stranger pays for his meal with a...

Pre-K - 3rd
Clever Monkey Rides Again

The Clever Monkey Rides Again

Written by Rob Cleveland and Illustrated by Tom Wrenn
When a mean lion begins playing pranks on the jungle animals, the resourceful monkey uses his cleverness to turn the tables and restore peace. This humorous children's story is perfect for teaching young readers about the power of intelligence over physical strength.
Pre-K - 3rd