cover image A Sweet Passover

A Sweet Passover

Lesléa Newman, illus. by David Slonim. Abrams, $16.95 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8109-9737-0

In this colorful Passover story, Miriam spends the holiday at her grandma and grandpa’s house. There, together with her parents and aunts and uncles, Miriam takes part in the Passover seder, complete with candle lighting, asking the Four Questions, and looking for the afikomen, the hidden matzo. Most of all, though, she savors the chance to eat matzo for eight days and nights. But when, after seven days of matzo with butter, matzo with jam, and nearly every other combination of matzo with something, Miriam feels sick and refuses any more of the unleavened bread. Grandpa must then use his special touch to salvage Miriam’s love of matzo. Bright illustrations and a number of cute touches, like Miriam’s matzo bedspread, her loyal dog who mimics her actions and feelings, and a recipe for Grandpa’s matzo brei, round out an enjoyable holiday tale. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)