Celebrate Passover
The first reference to Passover was found in the Book of Exodus and then in the New Testament of the Bible. According to Exodus 12, King James Version, about 3000 years ago, God promised the people of Israel to free them from the slavery in Egypt and unleash the tenth plague that was to 'Smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.' To be sure that Israelites were not the ones to save his wrath, he instructed them to mark their door posts with lamb's blood, stating: "and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." The book was later translated to English in William Tyndale. Thus, the name 'Passover' came into vogue for this celebration. Since the original word in the Hebrew Torah for 'pass over' was 'Posach', the celebration is also known as 'Pesach'.
This paragraph was taken from Happy Passover where you can find extensive information about this Jewish holiday.
Reviews
Dinosaur on Passover
Diane Levin Rauchwerger
Illustrations by Jason Wolff
A huge reptile munches matzah with a kindly family in Dinosaur on Passover. Diane Levin Rauchwerger weaves the Jewish rituals into her rhyming story of a dinosaur helping to prepare for seder. Little ones will appreciate the humor as the good-hearted but clumsy critter helps clean, grates horseradish and tries to open the door to Elijah, only to welcome the neighbor's dog instead. Jason Wolf's cartoons are as bright and peppy as the dinosaur. The illustrator is especially adept at conveying the family's surprise at all the havoc wreaked by their unexpected guest. But all's well that end's well, with calm restored as the rambunctious dinosaur curls up to sleep. 2006, Kar-Ben/Lerner, $15.95. Ages 2 to 7. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58013-156-5
Judaism
Michael Keene
This book is only 48 pages long and is part of the "Religions of the World" series. It includes a glossary, an index, a timeline, and a list of relevant books and Web sites. Illustrations range from modern photographs and simple maps to older photographs and masterpieces of world art. The 45 pages of text are crammed full of information about Judaism; Jews, ancient and modern, observant and secular; and Jewish philosophy from all points of the spectrum. The book is user-friendly--that is, it is easy to understand without being simple-minded. Sidebars often provide information "in our own words" that are without attribution, but are probably by young people: "I love Sukkot because I enjoy building a booth in the yard with my parents, brother, and sister. The most important festival, though, is Pesach [Passover] because of what it means for all Jews." And, "All Jews are part of a long, and very proud, religious tradition...The bottom line is that you do what feels right." When discussing poverty and wealth among Jews, the author firmly debunks any stereotypes: "In the Jewish scriptures, it is acceptable for some people to be rich but it is not acceptable for them to dedicate themselves simply to making more and more money...everyone has a duty to help the poor...the poor should retain their self-respect at all times." The author teaches without being didactic, so that the reader absorbs information almost without realizing it. Highly recommended for all ages. 2006, World Almanac Library, $30.00. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Judy Silverman (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-8368-5869-7
ISBN: 0-8368-5875-1
The Miracles of Passover
Josh Hanft
Illustrated by Seymour Chwast
This book illustrates the story of Moses and the origins of Passover. The narrative is straightforward and well known: Moses' mother left him on the edge of the river in order to save him from the Pharoah's command of death to Jewish sons. He was miraculously saved by the Pharoah's daughter and raised as a prince of Egypt. His mother became his wet nurse and Moses eventually learned the truth of his parentage. He rose to defend the Jewish people against the inequities of Egypt and to lead his people out of Egypt. The book continues the story to the Seder, a home ritual that celebrates the miracles God enacted on behalf of the Jewish people and the words God spoke through Moses. Replete with murder, plagues, betrayal, and magic, this is not a boring story. The book's design seeks to enliven it even more, adding flaps that reveal the plagues, for example, or that give more information about our modern day celebration of Passover. The colorful illustrations attempt a kind of "Egyptian" look to add authenticity. There is a lot of information here, probably more than can be digested by a young child looking to have a story read. Some of the concepts will elude the youngest listeners. But this book is a fun resource for children to return to as they seek deeper information about the Passover festival. 2007, Blue Apple Books/Chronicle Books, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Ilene S. Goldman (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59354-600-7
ISBN: 1-59354-600-9
More Than Matzah: A Passover Feast of Fun, Facts, and Activities
Debbie Herman
Activities by Ann D. Koffsky
Illustrated by Nancy Lane
The first twenty-four pages of this book tell the story of Passover, and nearly every page has a sidebar or two that contains either "fun facts" or "extra info." Did the Israelites' slaves build the Pyramids? Which real, historic Pharaoh may have ordered the Israelite midwives to kill male babies? Possible answers are right here. And the illustrations are lovely, so that while the story can be read in other books, this one is unusual. After the story comes the meat of the book: the activities. There are ten of these. The first one is the simplest--decorate a cover for a Haggadah, and make a bookmark. But why stop at one? Koffsky does not suggest this, but rather than have each child make his or her own, why not make covers for all the guests' books? While the adults are busy preparing for the Seder, the children can be kept busy and out of their way. The rest of the crafts may call for some adult supervision and/or participation. The Seder Clock keeps track of the fourteen parts of the Seder and uses their Hebrew names, making sure everybody knows what is going on. The Seder Plate/Matzah Holder is a lot more elaborate and, while it is designed to be used at the Seder, I think it would take a very unusual adult to agree to use it. It would, however, be a wonderful project for a religious school or Day School's Seder. Recipes for both the Ashkenazik and Sephardic versions of Charoset are included. The last activity involves dying hard-boiled eggs and then using the broken shells to decorate a matzah plate and salt-water bowl. Again, it is a wonderful project for a supervised group of children. The binding of the book does not allow it to open flat. There is no glossary or "list of unfamiliar words"--we are obviously expected to know them all already. The audience for this book is limited, then, to people who would actually do the activities, but for them the book's title is absolutely accurate--it is a feast! Highly recommended, with some reservations. Part of the "Lets Celebrate" series. 2006, Barron's Educational Series, $8.99. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Judy Silverman (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7641-3318-3
ISBN: 0-7641-3318-7
Passover: Jewish Celebration of Freedom
Amanda Doering
Part of the "First Facts" series for below-level readers, this introduction to the Jewish holiday of Passover does an adequate job of relating the basics of the Biblical story of Passover, and a somewhat better job of describing how Jews today typically observe the holiday. Doering's retelling of the Biblical events focuses on God's retribution against Egypt and the Pharaoh--namely, the killing of the first-born of Egyptian families and the drowning of the Egyptian army in the waters of the Red Sea. This emphasis may lead young readers to view the holiday as rather more macabre than is necessary or appropriate. The enslavement of the Hebrews in Egypt is mentioned, but artwork draws attention to the drama of the plagues and the fate of the Egyptians. Preparations by modern Jews for Passover, and the conduct of the seder--that is, the service and holiday meal--are mostly described clearly. Photographs for this section of the book, however, feel dated. Toward the end, one page is devoted to an "Amazing Holiday Story," but it is a disappointment. The story told on that page, of a charitable Jewish group in Toronto, Canada, that donates food collected during Passover to needy people, is admirable. It is not amazing. A hands-on activity and a simply glossary add value to this very basic offering. 2007, Capstone Press, $21.26. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Debbie Levy (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6397-1
ISBN: 0-7368-6397-4
Passover!
Roni Schotter
Illustrated by Erin Eitter Kono
In a rhyming text, Schotter describes the joys, activities, food, and other items that relate to this Jewish holiday. The family is ready and they have prepared everything for the evening seder. Young children will learn how the holiday is celebrated, but they will not learn why until they or someone reads to them the note at the end of the book. What will probably stick with them is the game where a matzoh or a piece of it is hidden and the prize given to the winner. The illustrations show an intergenerational family and have a cartoonish quality. Since the story also has a bit of humor relating to the matzoh hunt, the style is a good fit. For added challenge readers are asked to find the pictured items from the special Passover celebration within the illustration in the book. 2006, Little Brown, $12.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-316-93991-9
To view reviews of books on this feature from previous years, click on the following link:
2006
Updated 3/24/08
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