"Joyful illustrations and vibrant ­backgrounds make this a delightful addition to holiday collections."–School Library Journal

"Simple text and happy illustrations make this a winner for our youngest children." —Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

On Rosh Hashanah, the shofar's loud sound can surprise us and help us pay attention. It makes us think about how we can do better in the coming year.

Is it LOUD or is it QUIET? A young elephant wants to blow the shofar, the traditional horn played during the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah, but it comes out too quiet. Elephant must try again and again. This board book by prolific children's author Ann D. Koffsky is the fourth in the series about Jewish objects and basic concepts, following My Mezuzah, My Dreidel, and My Matzah.

"In this charming board book, a young elephant struggles to make a sound with her shofar until her mother helps clear it. The opposite concepts of “quiet” and “loud” are introduced through the playful storytelling: “I want it to be loud! Toot. Toot. I will try again. That was not loud. That was quiet.” A brief note at the end explains the shofar’s role on Rosh Hashanah. It does not mention other key shofar calls, including “shevarim” and “t’ruah,” nor does it discuss the shofar’s use on Yom Kippur. VERDICT Joyful illustrations and vibrant ­backgrounds make this a delightful addition to holiday collections."

–School Library Journal

"Loud or quiet? Koffsky's latest board book celebrates the shofar. Be prepared for lots of toot, toot, tooting as your child blows a pretend or real shofar. Simple text and happy illustrations make this a winner for our youngest children."

—Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Ann Diament Koffsky has written and/or illustrated more than fifty books for children, including the Kayla and Kugel series, The Peddler and the President, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, Creation Colors, What's In Tuli's Box? and Under-the-Sea Seder, as well as My Mezuzah, My Dreidel, and My Matzah. She lives in West Hempstead, New York.