3 comments about Too Many Cooks: A Passover Parable.

1. This appealing Passover book is truly a gem for young and old alike! Too Many Cooks offers a fun-filled glimpse into the rich traditions of the Seder preparation. Through the cute characterizations of familiar family members, this story will be reread at many Passovers over years to come!



2. This is such a cool book that kids really love! My 3rd grade teacher read this book to us around Passover time last year when we were learning about Jewish Holidays. Everyone in my class just loved the book, and many of my friends went and bought it. Too Many Cooks has AWESOME illustrations in bright colors. This is a great book for kids of all faiths. Strongly recommended! A+!



3. Written with such zest for family participation during the Jewish Holiday of Passover! Lively pictures help weave the story of Bubbie's family as they perform the traditional tasks for Passover. Educational and fun at the same time! A real treat for young and old, which has always been the true test of great literature. "Too Many Cooks" is a great addition to your personal library collection.

3 comments about Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover.

1. A very clever poem about celelbrating the Seder when there is not enough room. Especially nice for non-orthodox families because the characters could be us and the traditions referenced in the book are probably familiar to most readers even if not orthodox. And the last line of the book makes me smile time and time again. I think I may it enjoy it more than my children. Get it. You can't go wrong.



2. What I like most about this book is that it is so differentfrom the average Jewish children's book. Instead of going through theseder and what each thing symbolizes, it tells a humorous story about a girl worried that there will not be sufficient seating at her family's seder table. Its a funny book, that just happens to occur during Pesach. A real treat.



3. This darling 37-page book offers even the smallest of children--babies and toddlers too--a funny Passover feast.

   The poem has barely more than 200 words, but hilariously recounts the arrival of guests--while counting their 19 noses, 38 thumbs, freckles and the hosts' insufficient chairs. It wanders through places they might find seats, including "in the attic,/ Or on bookshelves in pairs,"... "in the sink/ Soaking suds with the pans," camped out "in the carport" or in "empty trash cans."

   For the Kiddush (blessing the wine) the family will stand, so that's no problem, but the child narrator knows that sitting down for the meal will land "half on the floor." He thinks of stacking everyone in one chair, and reading "the Haggadah/ Sing songs filled with hope,/ With one book at the bottom/And a long periscope."

   I won't spoil any of the glorious special effects. Suffice it to say, readers will delight in the book's dipping of greens, funny hiding of matzah and hysterical asking of four questions. (Even Elijah brings a laugh.) Children also love the simple pen and ink drawings that bring this light-heartedness to life. Alyssa A. Lappen

3 comments about Hanukkah!.

1. Winner of the National Jewish Book Award, this is one of our favorite stories for Chanukah and the holiday season. A warm and cozy glimpse at a family holiday with a simple story that is both funny and appealing. We love the illustrations and the poetic writing and have shared this book with friends of all religions. Everyone loves it! One of the nicest Chanukah books we've ever found to share.



2. A charming little book for the young at heart about celebrating, with all the trimmings, one family's joyous Festival of Lights.

   Destined to be a perenial favorite of RebeccasReads.




3. Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (10/07)
   
   Are you looking for a small picture book which describes Hanukkah? If you are, Roni Schotter has created just the one for you. Inside the front cover is a description of four specific things associated with Hanukkah. The pictures throughout the book show you just how the traditions of Hanukkah are celebrated. There are little ones that small kids will be able to relate to for celebrating the holiday, including being tempted to steal food before mealtime.
   
   With thick pages, "Hanukkah!" is a terrific book for the youngest reader. Lots of families celebrating together are a big part of this book. Isn't that what this special time of year is great for, celebrating with friends and families getting together? I love this book!

No comments about Make Your Own Megillah (Purim).

3 comments about Hanukkah Moon (Hanukkah).

1. Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views Kids (10/07)
   
   Have you ever heard of a Hanukkah Moon? You probably have heard of Hanukkah, but are you aware that there is a moon by the same name? Well, of course, the moon is just a plain moon. But what makes it special is that it comes at the same time as Hanukkah.
   
   Deborah Da Costa has created a beautiful picture book for children with a lot of details about this Jewish holiday. The illustrations by Gosia Mosz add to the delight of the storyline about a visit to Aunt Luisa's house. Aunt Luisa has just moved from Mexico. The explanation of Rosh Hodesh, and its meaning for women, is explored. This is an excellent way to explain some of the traditions and origin (how it started) in an easy-to-understand manner.
   
   The next time you look at the moon around Hanukkah, think that you are looking at "Hanukkah Moon."



2. In Deborah Da Costa's delightful children's picture book, "Hanukkah Moon" (Kar-Ben Publishing, $17.95 hardcover, $7.95 paperback), little Isobel gets to visit with her Aunt Luisa who has recently moved to the United States from Mexico. Once there, Isobel learns that Jews from Latin America also celebrate "Januca" but with a few differences. Jewish and Latin American traditions are blended so that, for example, Isobel gets to hit a large piñata shaped like a dreidel. Isobel also learns of the magic of the Hanukkah moon which is the "luna nueva" or new moon that always appears during Hanukkah. [The full review first appeared in the El Paso Times.]



3. I gave Hanukkah Moon to several of my grandchildren as Hanukkah gifts. They love the story and the illustrations. Even my 3 year old grandson asks me to read it over and over. I do believe the chocolate gold coins and the pinata sold him on the story. My older granddaughter, a very talented little artist, loved the illustrations. I highly recommend the book.

5 comments about Abuelita's Secret Matzahs.

1. This may be one of the most offensive pieces of anti-semtic trash I have ever read. This book teaches Jewish children that they should be ashamed of and hide their heritage, through the tale of a grandmother who denies her Judaism until her horrified grandson uncovers too much evidence to continue. I find it unlikely that the woman who wrote this book is really a rabbi, but if she is, she must have been ordained by an extremely reform, lax sect of judaism, or perhaps not Judaism at all. Keep your children away from this hateful offensive book.



2. Contrary to what another reviewer said, this book is about accepting and treasuring your family's heritage, not hating or hiding it. Crypto Jews represent a real chapter in Jewish history, and their story has not often been told.
   
   This book is also a great choice for mixed-religion families; it sensitively portrays the choice Jacobo will face as he gets older and has to choose his own religious path, and it does so without a bias toward either Judaism or Christianity.



3. Jacobo's grandmother has a secret: she does things differently than his friends, never making his favorite sopaipillas with honey during Holy Week and celebrating some holidays differently. "It's the way of our family," she will only say when Jacobo asks her about the tortillas made without year - until one day she shares a family secret about their real heritage. Good reading skills will lend appreciation to this sensitive story.



4. Even accepting that this book is targeted at very young readers, ABUELITA'S SECRET MATZAHS is sketchy in the way its story is told.
   
   In fact, it is so sketchy that it virtually is worthless in conveying the history of those Jews who had hidden from Spain's Inquisition by concealing their religion.
   
   There's a story here, an important story, but this author does not tell it.



5. Thank you Sandy Sasso for another wonderful story for our children, and especially for those of us with Sephardic roots who have been left out of the conversation for so long. This lovely story reflects the emerging population of Conversos living in the Southwest and brings to light the conflicting traditions that have been buried for many generations. It also serves well our multicultural population, the foundation of America.

5 comments about Celebrate! Stories Of The Jewish Holiday.

1. This has proven to be the perfect book to help our own (Catholic) children learn about the holidays our Jewish friends and neighbors celebrate throughout the year. Thank you, Gilda Berger and Peter Catalanotto!



2. Good books on Jewish traditions and heritage are very hard, if not almost impossible, to find. This book is easy to read and understand - for adults and children alike.



3. Aimed at intermediate or slightly older readers (but also could be read aloud to younger readers) this is an excellent introduction to the major Jewish holiday, including traditional ways to celebrate the holidays, recipes, activities and history. Adults as well as children are likely to learn something new about each holiday - I know I did!



4. I used this book to introduce my private-school, sixth grade students to some Jewish holidays. The stories are clear, entertaining, and accurate, explaining the history and religious reasons for each holiday without being educationally or spiritually overwhelming. They are written with love and care; even my non-Jewish students remembered and referred to the stories throughout the year. This book is a treasure!



5. A really great book to learn about the religion, customs and history of the Jewish faith. The storys are wonderful and the crafts and food are easy and meaningful.

No comments about Passover Is Here!: A Lift-the-Flap Book.

3 comments about P is for Passover (Holiday Alphabet Books).

1. This is a very nice children's book for Passover. Good for parents to read to their children or older children to read to younger siblings. Especially when they are waiting for dinner to be ready.



2. When my son, Moses, was first learning to read, he loved this book, but he would always ask to read "Piss for Passover!" (Notice the print of the title)



3. A fun book about the different aspects of Passover, but may be a little over a toddler's head and suited more for pre-school and early school age children. Not a must have book, there are others that are a bit better, but if you are a book-olohic, then a book to have on the shelf!

4 comments about Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story.

1. This book is great! The illustrations are amazing. I like the part where he gets the pan from the cows. The story is good. This is a good book for all ages.



2. From the moment you pick this book up, you are drawn to the light! The light from the fires, the light from the candles, and the light that shines from Moishe's heart. Slonim's wonderful illustrations have taken this plain text and made it magical! Although this is a Hanukkah story it's message of generosity can be embraced by everyone. My only criticism, is how the white boxes that the text appear in, place too much control on the illustrations. This story is sure to become a holiday classic, right up there with The Polar Express



3. In the poor village of Wishniak lived a milkman named Moishe and his wife Baila. He owned only two cows, and earned a meager living but was nevertheless always willing to help others. His wife, on the other hand, had the sharpest tongue in Wishniak.

   In early winter one year, when "the wind prowled the icy lanes of the village like a starving jackal," many villagers hungered--including the widow Malka and her ailing son Shmuel, Heshy Fenster and his 13 children and the housebound Bubby (grandmother) Rifka and her cat. The kind and ever-generous Moishe left "an extra quart of milk here, a pint of thick cream there."

   The night before Hanukkah, Baila found her money box empty, and blamed her inability to buy eggs, flour and oil to make latkes on Moishe's "foolish generosity." That night, to escape her harangue, he slept in the barn.

   Imagine his surprise when his two cows awoke him and told of a stranger who arrived and departed while Moishe slept, leaving behind him tales of magic and adventure and a special gift buried in the hay--a black frying pan.

   When he got home, he told Baila about the night and the gift, which was endowed with a magical property. Of course, she did not believe him, but when Moishe placed the frying pan on the fire, something wonderful happened. (Itýs a secret.)

   The next day, unhappy with the turn of events, Baila hid the Hanukkah candles under her bed, sent Moishe to borrow some more and tried to reproduce the magic feat that Moishe had managed. Of course, since Bailaýs nature was altogether unkind, the magic she brought on herself was unwelcome indeed. (But thatýs secret, too.)

   Nowadays, visitors to Wishniak come to see the frying pan, which the Rabbi displays under glass. They hope to see some of its magic once again, but precisely what that was and whether it ever again occurred is hidden between the covers of this magnificent book.

   The last two pages of the volume share the story of Hanukkah and provide a glossary of eight Yiddish and Hebrew words included in the tale. Alyssa A. Lappen




4. I LOVE this story! I think it's for everyone, Jewish or not, because it is such fun, and be forewarned, it will make you crave potato pancakes. On a more analytical note, it is a great morality tale with an emphasis on the value of generosity. Elementary teachers will love that you can use this story to demonstrate 6 Traits of Writing: the word choice is divine. The artwork is beautiful and shows little details not specifically mentioned, but implied, about Moishe's generosity, like how he is always giving extra milk to the cat and letting a mouse run away with vegetables. Art teachers will be able to point out the use of shadowing and the rule of thirds. Teachers who need a good Character Counts book can use this for kindness, caring, etc. The last two pages give a brief history of Hanukah that is very well explained, and a glossary of the Hebrew and Yiddish words used in the story, so those of us not in the know can tell the story knowledgeably. Yes, it does all that and it's STILL FUN!!! Must read.