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March 8, 2002/Adar 24, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 25
Prepare for Passover with holiday titles
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
As I passed the Passover display at Fry's this weekend, I looked fondly at the boxes of matzo and envisioned my first serving of matzo brei, just a few short weeks away. Unfortunately, by the end of Passover most of us are generally not having such fond feelings for matzo, but part of the fun and anticipation of each of the Jewish holidays is the traditions we associate with them.
In that vein, it is important that we instill the same fondness for tradition in our own children. Holiday stories are a great way to encourage children to look forward to Passover. To help, here are several Passover titles for kids of various ages, from board books to a family Haggadah.
"What I Like About Passover" by Varda Livney (Little Simon, $4.99 hardcover)
This board book is a perfect first Passover book for young children. Its colorful illustrations and simple text cover the essential symbols of the holiday.
This board book is recommended for ages 1-3.
"Hooray! It's Passover" written by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by John Himmelman (HarperCollins Publishers, $12.95 hardcover)
It is during the preschool years that children may begin to have some recollection of holidays from year to year. This is a pleasant book for young children - complete with smiling characters, butterflies and flowers - that will remind them of the rituals of the Passover seder.
This picture book is recommended for ages 3-6.
"On Passover" written by Cathy Goldberg Fishman, illustrated by Melanie W. Hall (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $16 hardcover)
"On Passover" was the first published picture book in Fishman's popular holiday series. While many titles cover the basic rituals and traditions of Jewish holidays, what makes Fishman's books special is her focus on the spiritual side of being Jewish - from a child's perspective.
The theme of this story is dayenu (it would be enough). A young girl experiences Passover using her senses - seeing, tasting, smelling, hearing and feeling - as well as asking questions. Through her exploration, the girl finds the meaning of Passover.
This book is recommended for ages 5 and up.
"A First Passover" written by Leslie Swartz, illustrated by Jacqueline Chwast (Aladdin Paperbacks, $5.95 paperback)
Jasha lives in the Soviet Union with his grandfather, mother and father. The family attempts to keep their Judaism a secret while they await permission to travel to America.
On Passover, the family celebrates with matzo made by a friend and secretly delivered at night. In a makeshift seder, the family eats the matzo with shades drawn, while Grandfather tells the story of Passover.
A few weeks later, the family receives permission to travel to America.
In America, Jasha goes to school and Hebrew school and is surprised to learn that his grandfather's stories are all found in the Torah.
When the family celebrates Passover in the new country, so many things are different for Jasha - being able to buy Passover foods at the grocery store, having a seder with the shades open and the family reading from the Hagaddah. What does not change is Grandfather's telling of the story of Passover.
While this is a wonderful story, it likely has a very limited audience. The illustrations appear designed for young children, yet the story is too complicated for a child under the age of 7. For elementary-age children, this book can lead to a discussion about how the fight for freedom continues throughout the world.
This book is recommended for ages 7-10.
"Pearl's Passover" written and illustrated by Jane Breskin Zalben (Simon & Schuster, $16 hardcover)
This new title is full of stories, songs, recipes and instructions for crafts and activities - all related to Passover.
This publisher recommends this book for ages 3-8, but the activities are likely too difficult for 3-year-olds. My recommendation is for ages 5-10.
"Uncle Eli's Special-For-Kids, Most Fun Ever, Under-The-Table Passover Haggadah" written by Eliezer Lorne Segal, illustrated by Bonnie Gordon-Lucas (No Starch Press, $12.95 paperback)
While this is a funny, entertaining and colorful book, it is not, as its name implies, a Haggadah. It's unfortunate that the publisher is trying to market the book as something it's not, when it really is the most appealing, kid-friendly Passover book on the market.
With laugh-out-loud poems - reminiscent of greats such as Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein - and humorous and imaginative illustrations, this is the must-have children's book for Passover.
This book is recommended for ages 3 and up.
"The Survival Kit Family Haggadah" by Shimon Apisdorf (Leviathan Press, $8.95 paperback)
If your seder includes children and you don't already use "The Survival Kit Family Haggadah," now is the year to start. With the Mat-zahbrei family guiding the seder, meaningful activities and questions, and family-friendly explanations and commentary, this is the perfect family Haggadah.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this book is it contains the entire Haggadah in Hebrew and English - it is not an abridged version designed to shorten the seder for children, but is a means for children to find the entire seder meaningful.
This Haggadah is recommended for all ages.
Contact the writer at beth_ olson@jewishaz.com.
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