No comments about A Wilderness Passover (Northern Lights Books for Children).

4 comments about Sammy Spider's First Haggadah (Passover).

1. What a great Haggadah! It includes songs to sing based on familiar tunes and it has a reader and "chorus" part so my kids can read their part and the rest of the table can follow and do their part like a play reading -- it is just so different, yet appropriate.
   
   In fact, all the books in this series are a refreshing take on the jewish holidays -- a complete collection is a must have!



2. In this third Passover title added to Sammy Spider's First Passover and Sammy Spider's Passover Fun Book from the popular Sammy Spider series, Rouss tells the story of Passover and explains the holiday in terms that young children can understand. She includes little songs with melodies suggested by Sammy, such as singing "Make Room for Matzah" to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Fill the Seder Plate" to the tune of "London Bridge" There is a checklist of what belongs on the seder table, illustrated with the objects named in the list. Then she has Sammy teach the answers to the four questions, in English, and the prayers over the candles, wine, matzah, bitter herbs and charoset, in English and Hebrew, with the transliteration for each. She provides parts for a reader and chorus to tell the story of Moses and Passover at the Seder. The book ends with the search for the Afikomen; an original little song called "Crunch Goes the Matzah" (sung to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel,") a blessing for after the meal, a brief explanation of Elijah's Cup with an accompanying song, and a transliterated Dayenu. No music notation is included for any of the songs. Kahn's vividly colored cut-paper illustrations add a lively touch to the informative, young child-appropriate text. The author explains the ten plagues as "ten bad things made by God to change Pharaoh's mind about letting the Jewish people leave." She includes text and illustrations for four of the plagues: frogs, lice, wheat-eating locusts, and darkness, but does not explain the last plague - killing the first-born- in deference to book's young audience. This would be excellent to use at a family Seder with young children, and at model Seders for the youngest classes at school. For ages 3 - 6.



3. I got this Hagaddah for the seder this year. The kids are age 2 and 1 is almost 5. The book touches on all of the major points of the seder in a fun way that keeps the kids interested, and more importantly, seated at the table. The songs are cute and clever, the pictures are colorful and descriptive and it made for a truly enjoyable seder. Can't wait to use it again next year!



4. We used this seder for our family this year, because we wanted to make it fun and meaningful for a "diverse" group-grandparents,parents and children ages-eight, five, 20 months and 2 months (of course the 2 month old was not an "issue" for this decision).The eight year old and five year old conducted most of the service and the adults were the "chorus." It was short enough for them to pay attention and easy to understand. We did need to add a couple of touches to make it a complete seder (like there was only mention of one cup of wine)-but I still highly recommend it for young famillies.

No comments about Where Is Baby's Dreidel?: A Lift-the-Flap Book.

2 comments about My First Passover Board Book (My 1st Board Books).

1. This a sturdy board book illustrated with colorful photos. It contains a lot of text, and some of the vocabulary words, such as "sacrifice" and "slavery," are too difficult for the babies and toddlers who are the usual board book audience. The main problem with this format is that much of the information here would be better suited for a kindergarten-age child, who would be unlikely to find a board book appealing. The back cover says besides helping children develop their vocabulary, this will help them "develop their early reading skills," which is not the usual purpose of a board book. The color photos of children show a boy dressed as Pharaoh and a girl who is supposed to be Moses' mother placing a doll representing Moses in water, as well as children dressed as soldiers and slaves. Each plague is pictured in color, and they are worded in language young children can understand, such as "sick cows" for plague 5 and "scary darkness" for plague 9. Pictures of items showing "Passover colors," such as "brown nuts," blue yarmulke," and "white candle" seem meant for very young children, while the language and musical notation teaching the four questions, the meaning and origin of the Passover holiday, as well as pictures and description of the foods eaten on Passover and those on the Seder plate, seem to be written for older children.
   The editors have tried to incorporate too much into this board book, making it unsuitable for its intended audience. Board books What I Like about Passover by Varda Livney (Little, Simon, 2002) and Tomie dePaola's My First Passover (Putnam, 1991) are some better choices for introducing Passover to very young children.
   Ages preschool and younger.
   Reviewed by Andrea Davidson



2. We are big fans of DK Publishing. This book is thorough, just like the Hanukkah one, and the Shabbat one.. and all the educational books that DK publishes. This is the one Passover book that I have found that covers the chometz, search for chometz, seder, seder plate and other ceremonial items...and the story of Exodus ALL IN ONE BOOK. It even has the music and words for Mah Nishtana. There are Real Life pictures - photos of actual objects, and real kids acting out the Exodus story. We have a couple of other Passover books, but they omit something important, as if they couldn't figure out how to integrate it into one book. If you only get one Passover book, this DK Publishing one is the one to get.

No comments about How the Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round.

5 comments about The Trees of the Dancing Goats (Aladdin Picture Books).

1. Drawing upon her own family's experience, Patricia Polacco shares a story of true holiday giving. Her Russian grandparents teach the meaning of friendship and miracles as they relate the story of Hanukkah and as they reach out to their Christian neighbors who are suffering from a deadly epidemic of scarlet fever. They adapt the symbols of their Jewish celebration to bring Christmas to those who are too ill to create their own festivities. Polacco's colorful illustrations capture the warmth and spirit of the characters and do much to enhance this wonderful story.



2. A few years ago I was lucky enough to overhear our school librarian recommend this book to another parent at the school book fair. There was only one copy left so I took it.

   Now, each December I get out our family's box of holiday books and this is the first one we read. My youngest child handed me a tissue before I started reading it last December! She knows how this book touches my heart and warms my soul.

   I have given this book to family and friends ... young and old. Great book to spread the message of what is really important -- at the holidays especially.




3. Trees of the Dancing Goats is a beautiful, poignant story and one of my all time favorites. Grown-ups love it as much as the kids. If you don't have this one on your bookshelf, you should get it! If you've been good, maybe Santa Claus will drop a copy in your stocking this year!



4. This is another book I purchased to use with my elementary students. What an absolutely delightful story! Any book that so wonderfully illustrates respect of many different beliefs gets high marks from me.....and this book does just that. Through this delightful story the reader learns of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions AND that they can compliment each other very nicely. I also think the story is a great example of service and being a great neighbor.



5. My teacher does an "author study" program and our first featured author was Patricia Polacco. My teacher read some of her books to my class and during reading I would read them to myself. I read this book and it was one of my favorites. We bought it and I love it. I recommend this book for anyone who loves to read! The author writes about the time when she was a young child and a lot of her neighbors got scarlet fever. The girl and her family is Jewish, and since they are not sick, the girl, her older brother, her mom, her babushka, and her grandpa go out and chop down trees and decorate them with colorful animal figures. I won't tell you the surprise ending, but this book is awesome! I recommend this book highly.

5 comments about Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.

1. This book is one of the most amazing stories I have ever shared with children. The eerie setting, the creepy goblins, the keen intelligence of Hershel plus the sublime art work of the great Trina Schart Hyman make this one of the most perfect picture storybooks every created.
   
   A tremendous story for all people that upholds the power of faith.



2. I read this story to introduce the theme of Hanukkah to my grade 2 and 3 students today, and I don't think I've ever seen them so enthralled by a book before. They absolutely loved it, and had a ball predicting ways in which *they* might outwit the Hanukkah goblins if they were in Hershel's shoes. Their ideas were so creative that I asked them to do an impromptu assignment in which they write their own ideas down in book form, with decorative pictures and all. This was one time I didn't hear groans at the thought of (horrors!) writing!
   
   Great story, great pictures... great job!



3. I had the opportunity to interview Eric Kimmel for my podcast, The Book of Life. He is a very fun guy and I'm sure you'd enjoy hearing what he has to say about Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. You can listen to the interview at www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com - click on the December 2005 episode.



4. I had ordered this for Hanukkah 2006, but luckily I took a sneak peak first. My daughter, aged 4, would find this far too scary. Despite its inappropriateness for the younger, more sensitive reader, it is excellently written and very well illustrated. I have not returned it, but it'll be a while before it comes down from my shelf.



5. I recently read this to a spellbound group of second graders. They so obviously enjoyed it and hung on the plot and dialogue, page after page. The teacher smiled a broad smile throughout and I have to say, it was a pleasure for me to reread it while I read it to them. So add about 20 more high marks to this WINNER from Eric Kimmel. I'm about to check out his other Hershel story as well.

4 comments about My First Hanukkah Board Book (My 1st Board Books).

1. This is a well done Hanukkah book and very educational. This book makes a great holiday gift. Babies and preschoolers will like its many brightly colored pictures. Older children and adults can also learn from this book.



2. What a great starter book for young children. My 1-year old loves the photos -- one of the great things about the DK books because babies respond so well to them. And I appreciate an overview of the holiday that doesn't imply "the right way to do it." This should be appropriate and enjoyable for all Jewish homes. I also recommend 1st Shabbat and 1st Passover.



3. In that respect, this book is like Socrates. What is this, "count the candles, how many candles?" Anyone can plainly see there are, say, two. "But don't count the shames." OK. I get that. You get that. But, will a two year old get that? I can see this book causing a child to become dysnumeric.
   
   Other than that, it's pretty cool. Love the mini-Macabees.



4. Excellent for the kids to start understanding the jewish traditions.
   Arrive on scheduelle great service.

2 comments about December Secrets (Kids of the Polk Street School).

1. I read this book for a college course I am taking towards my elementary education degree. This is definitely a story that I would recommend to 2nd and 3rd graders. The story itself would definitely keep the child's attention and, in the end, they would learn a very valuable lesson about the true meaning of friendship.



2. While towards the end of the book the main character does begin to see people for what is inside not outside, thru most of the book the main character constantly refers to Jill as fat. I would estimate the word fat is in the book over 40 times. It also has no uplifting message until the bitter end. My son had to read this book for school, but believe you me I turned in a review with is report.
   There are better books out there for children the DO celebrate diversity. Look for them instead.

4 comments about Hanukkah at Valley Forge.

1. Based on some historical evidence, this inspiring story relates how, in the middle of winter at Valley Forge, General George Washington meets a Jewish soldier; an immigrant from Poland who is celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. As the soldier retells the Hanukkah story to the general, Washington's faith is renewed, and he begins to believe in the possibility that his ragtag army can also win against a larger foe. He says to the soldier, "We too have a cruel enemy who leaves us only with the choice of brave resistance or abject submission." Greg Harlin's beautiful watercolor illustrations bring this poignant tale to life. Children will be proud to know that a chance encounter with a Jewish soldier may have given General Washington the courage to continue the battle for independence of the United States. For ages 7 - 10. Reviewed by Diane Rauchwerger



2. My colleagues and I absolutely loved this book. I teach 4th grade religious school at my temple, and I read this book to my class at Hanukkah. It was well received. They loved the illustrations and it provoked discussion about Jewish and American history. I donated the book to the Hebrew School library because I wanted as many people to share it as possible.



3. When General George Washington encounters a Jewish soldier lighting the Hanukkah candles, he learns about the Maccabee's fight for freedom and how it relates to his own fight for liberty during the Revolutionary War. The dark, somber illustrations in blue tones depict the cold, bitter conditions at Valley Forge. The explanation of the Hanukkah story is effectively differentiated from the rest of the narrative using a yellow background. The author's note explains the origins of this historical anecdote and its sources. This is a beautiful and accessible way to remind readers of the Jewish presence and involvement in early American history and about the commonalities between Jewish and American beliefs and values.



4. While the illustrations and story are very good, it's a stretch to assume that a chance meeting between General Washington and a Jewish soldier was in any way responsible for the successful outcome of the Revolutionary War. I applaud any and all religious inspiration towards freedom but the Colonists revered freedom mainly as a political concept not a religious one. The driving force was independence from tyranny. General Washington was a great man with enough courage and conviction for an entire army and country, and the fact that he inspired such devoted and loyal soldiers willing to fight for his principles makes you realize just how much we owe him.