From the Publisher
"The appeal of the Engineer Ari series continues to be its consistent and charming simplicity, which focuses not only on a well known Jewish holiday tradition (e.g. the seder plate), but on a sense of both history and community as well. An appealing addition to the holiday bookshelf." — Jewish Book World
School Library Journal
04/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—Ari works on the Jaffa-Jerusalem line, a steam train that started running in 1892, according to the author's note. He is in a rush to make the train schedule and do his shopping before the holiday begins, and this ties in with his rush to make matzah within the prescribed 18 minutes. His friends along the route supply him with seder plate ingredients, showing a warm sense of community. The pencil and digital illustrations have a loose, cartoon style that gives a good sense of the Israeli landscape and architecture. The story is a little contrived, with Ari being lucky enough to be given most of the supplies he needs and making unscheduled stops to chat with friends. The railroad theme has universal appeal but perhaps not enough to attract readers who know nothing about Passover as the author's note is minimal. VERDICT Useful for Judaica collections or where the earlier "Engineer Ari" books (Kar-Ben) are popular.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
Kirkus Review
2015-01-20
On his last run to Jerusalem before the Passover holiday, Engineer Ari manages to gather all the necessary items for his Seder plate, arriving home exhausted just before the holiday's ceremonial dinner begins.Ari is in a hurry, rushing to keep his train on schedule while trying to gather everything on his Seder shopping list. Luckily, his many friends along the way are more than willing to help. Neighbor Miriam will roast a fresh egg and leave it on his doorstep; Moshe, picking dates and almonds from his orchard, will make him some extra charoset; friend Shifra gives him a bunch of parsley from her abundant basket; Aaron shares his horseradish root by breaking it in half. Once the train arrives in the Old City, Ari quickly finishes his shopping with a shankbone from the butcher, as well as enough matzo from the factory to bring back as a thank-you to all his neighbors and friends. The action plays out on the now-familiar, earnest Israeli's short train ride from Jaffa to Jerusalem in the late 19th century, while neatly folding in the key components of the annual weeklong spring celebration. Nostalgia, companionship and cooperation are emphasized in the simple text and winsome retro-style illustrations. Children and adults will be charmed by the latest in this amiable series. (glossary, author's note) (Picture book. 3-5)
