“The Miracle of Matzah Pizza: A Bible Tale by Ann Diament Koffsy,” published by Intergalactic Afikoman
Pure delight (and deliciousness)! Koffsy’s humor shines through in this tall tale about how matzah pizza started, taking children through the desert with Moses and Miriam. Young and old will appreciate this beautifully illustrated and joyous Passover story. Back matter includes information on the holiday and a simple recipe, which you’ll want to make with your kids.
“Talia and the Passover HUG-gadah.” by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Fancesca Assierelli, published by Kar-Ben Publishing
We can all imagine how easily it would be for a child to pronounce Haggadah as a “hug-gadah,” and Marshall plays this up in a humorous way. As Talia and her family go step-by-step through the Haggadah, she wonders when there will be more hugging since she was hugged when her family arrived. Eventually, she learns what “Haggadah” means – the telling. This is a great introduction to the holiday for preschoolers and up.
“The Passover Pet Surprise,” by Ana María Shua, illustrated by Ángeles Ruiz, published by NorthSouth Books
What is the meaning of freedom? This sweet book shares the story of a little girl named Jordanita who travels to Argentina with her family to celebrate Passover with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. The house is filled with animals, and Jordanita wonders if the parrots, Tic and Toc, should be free, instead of living in a cage? With Spanish throughout, this brightly illustrated thoughtful book is a gentle way to discuss the story of Passover to today’s experiences in an age-appropriate way.
“Three Pieces of Broken Glass by Emily Barth Isler,” illustrated by Vesper Stamper
When a little girl accidentally breaks a special water glass, her great-grandma sees it as a blessing. She places it on a windowsill, which also holds two other pieces of glass. She then explains their significance. The first is from the glass smashed under the chuppah at her wedding, reminding her of this beautiful Jewish tradition and her love for her husband. The second was from Kristallnacht, reminding her of what transpired in Germany and the family’s journey to America to escape the Nazis. Appropriate for children ready for an introduction to the Holocaust, young and old will appreciate how broken things can hold important stories, connecting one generation to another. I highly recommend this touching, meaningful, and inspiring fictionalized story inspired by the author’s husband’s grandma and her own family’s history.
“On All Other Night: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories,” editing by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy & Naomi Milliner, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers
This fantastic compilation of stories based on the “Seder” order of the Haggadah, written by some of the best Jewish children’s authors today, will be an excellent addition for students’ Passover celebrations. With themes of freedom, joy, and hope, the variety of writing styles will keep the readers’ interests. From contemporary to historical fiction and non-fiction, there is something for everyone, eight and up. Find free verse poetry, illustrations, recipes, and more. This book makes an excellent gift for the holiday.
The Chronicle “Book Corner” column is by author Liza Wiemer, of Fox Point, who has taught in nine of our Milwaukee-area Jewish religious schools and day schools. She is a board member at the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center. Her picture book, “Out and About: A Tale of Giving,” is appropriate for ages 2 and up.
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