Book Review: 'The Four Questions' illustrated by Ori Sherman

✰✰✰✰½ When families gather together to celebrate the Passover holiday, the Four Questions are asked at the beginning of the Seder. In this picture book, the Four Questions are illustrated in stunning beauty with bright bold colors. What’s more, when you turn this book upside down, you will see split frame images with Hebrew calligraphy on the same page. What a wonderful way to uncover the answers to the Four Questions. Filled with symbols, rituals, and insight into the holiday, both the young and the young at heart will treasure this gem.

The Bottom Line: This beautifully illustrated, bilingual book is both engaging and informative. Kids will love the colorful illustrations of animals. Also included is a page listing the Order of the Passover Seder and a page of history. The only thing I would have added is a glossary. Highly recommended holiday reading. [Originally published in 1989 by Dial Books.]

Details: The Four Questions illustrations by Ori Sherman & text by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Picture book published by LQ (Levine Querido) in 2021. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-64614-036-7 

Book Review: 'The Ninth Night' by Erica S. Perl

✰✰✰✰½ When a moving company temporarily misplaces a box of treasured holiday items, a family makes the best of it. Without their family menorah, Hanukkah candles, latkes, gelt, and wrapping paper, the eight days of Hanukkah are nice, but yet don’t quite feel like Hanukkah. Nevertheless, new neighbors help out the best they can by sharing birthday candles and french fries. Inspired by the helper candle, the shamash, the family decides to thank their new friends and neighbors on the ninth day with a special celebration.

The Bottom Line: This clever story of friendship and sharing invites the reader to start a new tradition after reading this picture book. Kober’s humorous illustrations are engaging and fun. Highly recommended holiday reading for storytime for kids ages 4 -8.

Details: The Ninth Night of Hanukkah written by Erica S. Perl & illustrated by Shahar Kober. Picture book published by Sterling Children’s Books in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-4549-4088-3

Book Review: 'Hanukkah Moon' by Deborah da Costa

✰✰✰✰½ Isobel is excited to be invited to Aunt Luisa's for Hanukkah, but she's not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa just moved to America from Mexico; will she know how to celebrate Hanukkah the right way? Isobel's father adds to the mystery by telling her that Aunt Luisa celebrates the Hanukkah Moon. Isobel wonders what that is, and when exactly to they celebrate it?

At Aunt Luisa's, Isobel learns about the birds and animal friends that visit. She also receives a camera to document the holiday. As the celebration continues, they light the hanukkiah and when the time is just right, Isobel learns how to celebrate the new moon that happens during Hanukkah. 

The Bottom Line: With themes of family and tradition, this picture book blends the traditions of Judaism and Mexico. Richly illustrated in watercolor and colored pencil, this is Mosz's first picture book for American readers. Highly recommended for seasonal story time for children ages 7 - 10. Includes a glossary and information about Hanukkah and Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new moon), which is popular among Sephardic Jews who settled in Latin America.

Details: Hanukkah Moon written by Deborah da Costa & illustrated by Gosia Mosz. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1580132442 

Book Review: 'Runaway Dreidel!' by Lesléa Newman

✰✰✰✰½ When a little boy plays with his shiny new dreidel on Chanukah, something magical happens. It keeps spinning and there’s no stopping it. It spins across the floor, along the hall, and out the door. The little boy and his family and friends join in the chase, but the dreidel is simply too fast. Where is it going? Will it ever stop? Check out this holiday tale and join in the fun.

The Bottom Line: Children of all ages will love this rhyming, holiday tale. Told in the style of The Night Before Christmas, this easy to read picture book is sure to be a seasonal classic. Illustrated in mixed media of oil paint and cut paper, the illustrations are comical and engaging. Highly recommended holiday reading with your little one.

Details: Runaway Dreidel! Written by Lesléa Newman & illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Hardcover picture book published by Henry Holt and Company in 2002. Unpaged. ISBN: 0-8050-6237-8 

Book Review: 'Hoppy Passover!' by Linda Glaser

✰✰✰✰½ Two little bunnies visit their Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate Passover. There is much to learn as the little ones help fill the Seder plate. They sample the parsley, Grandma's special charoset, and even try the horseradish. After dinner, it's time to find the afikomen. Then they open the door for the prophet Elijah. Will he drink any wine? The little ones wait and watch as they learn about the best parts of the holiday.

The Bottom Line: The sweet tale of a family celebrating Passover will appeal to little ones and their parents. It's also a great introduction to the holiday for people of other faiths who want to learn about the Jewish holiday. Watercolor illustrations in vibrant, seasonal tones add to the appeal of this picture book. Highly recommended for storytime or bedtime reading for little ones in PreK - Grade 1. As a bonus, the book includes a recipe for Grandma's Charoset. Yum!

Details: Hoppy Passover! written by Linda Glaser & illustrated by Daniel Howarth. Hardcover picture book published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2011. 24 p. ISBN: 978-0-8075-3380-2

Book Review: 'The Passover Lamb' by Linda Elovitz Marshall

✰✰✰½ Little Miriam is excited for the Passover seder to begin at her grandparents' house. It's her first year to to sing the Four Questions at the seder. Before her family can leave the farm, all the chores must be done, and Miriam discovers that something is wrong with one of the sheep. Though it's late in the season, new lambs are soon born. Unfortunately, one of the newborns is left lying all alone in the hay. It looks like Miriam's family will have to stay at home, until Miriam hatches a clever plan.

The Bottom Line: Illustrated with soft watercolors, this sweet tale was inspired by a true event. Check out this gentle story to read with your little ones.

Details: The Passover Lamb written by Linda Elovitz Marshall & illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Hardcover picture book published by Random House in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-307-93177-1

Book Review: 'The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah' by Leslie Kimmelman

✰✰✰✰½ The little red hen is no stranger to work, but why should she do everything herself when she has friends to help her? Passover will be here all too soon, and preparing for it is a lot of work. The little red hen is not worried; she has many friends. Always one step ahead of everyone else, the little red hen begins preparing for the holiday by planting grain. Who will help her? "Not I," said the Sheep, the Horse, and the Dog. The little red hen soon learns that it is up to her alone to plant, harvest, and carry the wheat to the mill.

As the months go by the little red hen becomes more and more disappointed in her lazy friends. She even has to bake the matzah all by herself. Just when it is time to sit down for the delicious Seder meal, who should show up at her door, but her lazy friends. What is a good hen to do? Turn them out or invite them in? Learn about the real meaning of the celebration in this charming picture book.

The Bottom Line: This little book blends the classic tale of the little red hen with aspects from the Jewish holiday of Passover. Meisel uses simple, colorful artwork in watercolor, pastel, and ink to illustrate this clever story with a twist at the end. The large print is helpful for new readers. This picture book also includes information about the Jewish holiday of Passover, a recipe to make Matzah, and a brief glossary of Yiddish words used in the story. This is perfect for classroom storytime as an introduction to the holiday.

Details: The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah written by Leslie Kimmelman & illustrated by Paul Meisel. Hardcover picture book published by Holiday House in 2010. 28 p. ISBN: 978-0-8234-1952-4

Book Review: 'Have a Little Faith' by Mitch Albom

✰✰✰✰✰ First there was a question: "Will you do my eulogy?" Then there was another question: "Will you save me, Jesus?" These two very different questions were asked by two very different men. One man was Jewish, and the other was Christian. One was white; the other was black. One was a rabbi; the other was a pastor. Both men dedicated their lives to helping others; yet, each came to the job via very different journeys. What could these two men possibly have in common?

Author Mitch Albom explores faith in his first nonfiction book since Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson. This is a story about how two very different men changed the world for the better. This is a story about faith and hope. It is a story about how we are all more alike than different, and how we can find these common bonds if we give each other a chance.

The Bottom Line: Albom is the type of author who writes when something moves him rather than writing on a schedule. He waits until just the right story comes along. In this small, but powerful book, Albom alternates between the life stories of two men. By illustrating the differences, Albom highlights the similarities of these two clerics. Along the way, Albom finds he is on his own journey, a journey of faith and discovery. This is a journey that anyone of any faith or culture, in any country can take. Highly recommended reading for everyone. This is for anyone with an open mind who is interested in learning about other religions and exploring faith. This gentle book will make you think differently about yourself and others.

Book Club Notes: This was easily one of our favorite books. With an average rating of 4.5 stars, book club members were eager to share their views and ask questions. The discussion was lively and the hour passed much too quickly. This was a fantastic book to introduce different religions. Through comparing and contrasting the two clerics, we learned a lot about faith in general. Highly recommended for book clubs interested in exploring religion, faith, and inspiration. Visit Mitch Albom's website for the Reading Guide with Questions.

Details: Have a Little Faith: A True Story by Mitch Albom. Paperback edition published by Hachette Books in 2014. 260 p. ISBN: 978-1-4013-1046-2

Book Review: 'The Matzah Man' by Naomi Howland

✰✰✰✰½ In preparation for the seder, a local baker is making Passover matzah. He uses the last scraps of matzah dough to form a little man and pops him in the oven to bake. When the baker opens the oven door, the crispy Matzah Man jumps out and runs away. Taunting people and animals along the way, the Matzah Man narrowly escapes becoming part of the Passover meal. He outwits them all until he meets young Mendel Fox. The Matzah Man is in for a big surprise when clever Mendel offers to help him hide from his pursuers.

The Bottom Line: This humorous and festive tale is a rollicking adaptation of The Gingerbread Boy. This adventure is just plain fun to read with Howland’s use of repetition, rhythm, and rhyme. Additionally, Howland’s cheerful and bright illustrations in gouache and cut-paper collage with colored pencil will appeal to readers of all ages. Check this one out for kids in grades 1 – 3. Includes a “Passover Glossary” at the end.

Details: The Matzah Man: A Passover Story written & illustrated by Naomi Howland. Hardcover picture book published by Clarion Books in 2002. 32 p. ISBN: 0-618-11750-4

Book Review: 'No Biking in the House Without a Helmet' by Melissa Fay Greene

✰✰✰½ Award winning journalist Melissa Fay Greene and her husband already had four biological children when they decided to adopt a little boy from Bulgaria. Rather than accept the "empty nest" that their home threatened to become when the oldest children headed off to college, the couple kept adopting. The next child was a little girl from Ethiopia. By the time Greene and her husband were finished adopting, their family included a total of nine kids from three continents.

The Bottom Line: Melissa Fay Greene's writing style is approachable for most readers. She writes with humor, tenderness, and honesty as she covers both the joys and the challenges of raising a large family. Recommended for everyone interested in the study of families. Also, for potential adoptive parents.

Book Club Notes: The short chapters and conversational tone of this book made it a quick read. One member pointed out that it was reminiscent of Erma Bombeck's writing style. The discussion was lighthearted as we worked out way through questions available in the reading guide from Macmillan. The anecdotes made for fun reading, and it was easy to get sidetracked by our own stories as we defined what it means to be a family. The discussion turned lively as we debated the pros and cons of domestic vs. international adoption. Furthermore, many of us agreed that we wanted to hear more about Greene's husband, Donny. Some members commented that the book could have been shorter. Also, several members noted that the stories were not all in chronological order. Overall, the group gave the book 3.75 stars and enjoyed reading it.

Details: No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene. Paperback published by Sarah Crichton Books in 2011. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-374-53338-0