Happy Passover Rosie

Features

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 289 pages
• Published by: Henry Holt and Co. BYR
• Edition: 1st Edition April 15, 1990
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0805012214
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0805012217
• Book Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 8 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
In this complement to Beni's First Chanukah , Beni's cousin Rosie celebrates the first Passover seder she will remember. Rosie and her brother Max help hunt for stray bread crumbs; Rosie recites the Four Questions for the first time; then, to top all, she finds the afikomen and wins the prize from Grandpa. Soft, decorative illustrations, similar in style to the illustrations in some Haggadot and depicting a warm, loving bear family highlight this narration of a family Seder. The fear Rosie feels when she believes Elijah has really come (it is only Grandpa) is a nice touch. There are a few seeming inaccuracies: everyday chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar, instead of the kosher-for-Passover macaroons, and burning the chametz inside instead of outside. Still, this simple, pleasant story is a welcome addition to the growing collection of picture books with Jewish themes. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-- Bear cubs Rosie and Max help Grandma and Grandpa with ritual preparations for Passover. The next night, relatives arrive for the Seder, which is then presented as a series of fragmented highlights culminating in Grandpa's frightening appearance as the "ghost" of Elijah. What is missing here is any sense of the meaning of Passover; the Seder as described lacks unity or cohesiveness, and the "ghost" is a confusing fictionalization. Busy colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations convey some of the warmth associated with the celebration of a family holiday, as well as touches of the humor that are lacking in the text. Although the demand for preschool picture books about Passover is high, this one presents a variety of contradictory messages likely to disturb parents and confuse young children. --Susan Kaminow, Arlington County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reader Reviews
In this darling 21-page book, Rosie and her brother Max spent the night before Passover hunting for stray breadcrumbs with a feather and wooden spoons. Grandma dusted the shelves with the feather and Grandpa held a glowing candle and a small box for the crumbs. (They did this of course, to ensure that their house was clean of chametz, or leavened bread, before sundown opened the eight-day festival of Pessach.) The next morning, Rosie and Max helped their Grandpa burn the box of chametz while Grandma made soup and matzoh balls for their Seder meal. This year, the matzoh balls were fluffy and light, floating in the soup. Before sundown the family started to arrive, bringing with them wet kisses and huge hugs. At the Seder, Rosie sat with her cousin Beni, and watched as Grandpa broke the middle matzoh, the Afikoman, in half and hid the matzoh when no one was looking. The children would have to find it for the family to have their desert after the meal. Since Rosie was the youngest, she had to ask the Four Questions, beginning with "Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights we eat bread or matzoh. Why tonight, only matzoh?" Rosie needed a little help from Max, and Sara whispered a hint when Rosie forgot a word. But Rosie did such a good job singing the questions that Mama and Papa were very proud. Everyone poured a bit of wine from their cups to mourn for the Egyptians' suffering during the Ten Plagues. Rosie hid under the table for much of the Seder, but came out in time to eat the bitter herbs and haroset to symbolize the bricks that the Jewish people were forced to make when they were slaves. Finally, it was time for the meal. Elijah's arrival frightened Rosie, but I won't spoil the last several pages by telling you why. The book includes a page explaining the seven foods on the Seder plate, and the Four Questions, in large easy-to-read Hebrew (with vowels) and English. This story, a favorite during the children's little years, was so well used the pages are taped. Alyssa A. Lappen