Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Passover - Harriet Ziefert

Celebrating Now, Remembering Then
Illustrated by Karla Gudeon
Blue Apple Books, 2010
HC $17.99
32 thick pages - 10 that open up to a double page
Endpapers:  colorful small drawings of matzoh, a Seder plate, a Kiddish cup, musical notes, flowers, doves, a Haggadah...

The steps of the Passover Seder are described and illustrated.  Each page begins "NOW" and describes the cleaning, the preparation, the symbols.  But as the candles are lit, we get to open up the right hand page to a lovely painting of the "THEN."  Each of the sections of the Seder plate are described, every part of this special passover meal -- right down to opening the door for Elijah and finding Afikamen.  It's beautifully told and the folky paintings are incredibly delightful.

Before I taught at a Jewish day school I knew nothing - NOTHING - about Jewish holidays.  I've attended three Seders now, which helped me understand this book even more.  But if a child knows nothing about Passover, this might not be enough.  It is for Jewish children to read and enjoy.  It's really lovely.

No comments: