03/01/2023
PreS—This sweet board book Haggadah hits all of the high points of the Passover seder in an appealing format for the youngest attendees. It covers the events of the Passover seder from "We set the table," to "We tell the story of Passover," to "We look for the afikomen," as each page highlights a moment of the seder. Most of the images are close-up depictions of a central child participating in each event, and images include the seder plate, the matzoh, and the dipping of the herbs. The child has rosy cheeks, light brown skin, and brown curls, as do most of the family. The people are portrayed with dot eyes and round heads, and the full-bleed art has a watercolor feel to it. While this makes no attempt to explain the seder to the uninitiated, it covers the event fairly thoroughly and would work well as an introduction for Jewish toddlers and preschoolers. VERDICT Jewish libraries and preschools, as well as public libraries will find this accessible introduction a worthwhile addition for their youngest patrons.—Amy Lilien-Harper
2022-11-29
Even the youngest celebrants can participate in Passover festivities.
With very simple language and lively, colorful illustrations, this charming board book will help adults explain the basic and most important elements of the Passover seder to young kids. Step by step, a young, tan-skinned child wearing a yarmulke takes readers through the rituals of the seder service: setting the table with the seder plate laden with symbolic foods, lighting candles, drinking grape juice, washing hands, dipping parsley in salty water, asking the four questions, reciting the Passover story, eating matzah, combining a bitter food with a sweet one, having dinner, looking for the afikomen (a piece of matzah hidden for children to find during the service), and singing joyous songs afterward. A close-knit tan-skinned family is depicted enjoying the seder and celebrating the warmth of togetherness, traditions, and a story that has been told through the millennia about hard-won freedom and a people’s salvation. The meanings behind some of the rituals aren’t explained here; these can be left for a later time at grown-ups’ discretion. The young child guide to the holiday is depicted being readied for bed after the seder, a fitting end to a celebratory evening. The Hebrew wordtodah("thank you") is included and defined. The QR code on the back cover allows readers to access “Songs for a Family Seder.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet and very welcome introduction and accompaniment to a lovely and joyous springtime festival. (Board book. 1-4)
