Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained

Features

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 32 pages
• Published by: Rainbow Morning Music February 1, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0938663518
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0938663515
• Book Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.4 x 0.2 inches
• Weighs: 0.8 ounces

Product Review
"Explains each step in the Seder in simple language to provide a deeper understanding of the spiritual reason behind each practice. . . . Simple enough for older children to read and understand, it even comes with pre-stained wine drops on the pages about the ten plagues!"  —About Our Children, an insert in New Jersey/Rockland Media Group newspapers

"Polisar's narrative is clear and simple without being in any way patronizing to the broad age range likely to read or hear this Haggadah; the illustrations, supplied by Polisar's daughter, are vivid and exciting."  —Library Journal

"Polisar distills the Seder into easy-to-follow steps and gives historical background so we can . . . reconnect with the spiritual reasons that gave birth to our traditions."  —Hadassah Magazine

"Polisar's narrative is clear and simple in a way that is accessible to everyone."  —New Mexico Jewish Link

"Without abridging the elements of the Seder or diluting its message, Telling The Story . . . is truly a Haggadah a family can enjoy for many years."  —The Jewish Standard

"Seeks to re-imbue Passover rituals with relevency to people's lives. The gorgeous paintings, created by his daughter, are mostly portraits done in rich, warm colors, full of feeling and with a flowing quality, mirroring the depth and movement of the Seder."  —The Jewish Advocate

"Polisar does a superb job at presenting the . . . concepts behind the practices in a clear and meaningful way, while still keeping his Haggadah relatively brief. Attractive and nicely designed, it features sensitive illustrations by Polisar's daughter."  —Jewish lady Magazine

"A Haggadah that tells about holiday rituals in simple terms and presents the prayers in English and Hebrew with phonetic pronunciations."  —Detroit Jewish News

Product Description
Authentic and simple, this retelling of the Passover story in the Haggadah is designed to guide Passover participants through the Seder while educating them about the practice. Detailing the meaning of the ceremony in the past and present, the book also discusses the authenticity of the ceremony and the story, allowing those with little or no experience conducting a Seder to do so with confidence. A phonetic version of the Hebrew text is also included to aid those unfamiliar with Hebrew pronunciation.

Reader Reviews
"Award-winning children's author Barry Louis Polisar distills the Seder into easy-to-follow steps and gives historical background so we can understand why we do what we do each year and help reconnect with the original spiritual reasons that gave birth to our traditions." Hadassah Magazine "Polisar's name may be familiar to readers; he is the author of Don't Do That, Peculiar Zoo, The Haunted House Party, and other books beloved by generations of children. His retelling of the Passover story for use as a Haggadah, however, is not aimed narrowly at children. Polisar's narrative is clear and simple without being in any way patronizing to the broad age range likely to read or hear this Haggadah; the illustrations, supplied by Polisar's daughter, are vivid and exciting without distracting needlessly from the story being told. Reccomended for most collections." Library Journal "Award-winning children's author Barry Louis Polisar is known for writing hilariously anarchic books and songs for children. With 'Telling The Story--A Passover Haggadah Explained' however, he plays it straight. He turns his talents to creating a basic Haggadah that will help reconnect families with the spiritual reasons behind the practices. He does a superb job at presenting the Seder's concepts behnd the practices in a clear and meaningful way, while still keeping his Haggadah relatively brief. Attractive and nicely designed, "Telling The Story' features sensitive illustrations by Polisar's daughter." Jewish Woman Magazine "Explains each step in the Seder in simple language to provide a deeper understanding of the spiritual reason behind each practice and the origins of the Passover traditions....Simple enough for older children to read and understand, it even comes with pre-stained wine drops on the pages about the ten plagues!" Rockland New Jersey Jewish Media Group's Top Choices "Creatively illustrated in full color by the author's daughter, "Telling The Story" is a new retelling of the Passover story for use as a Haggadah for families. Polisar's narrative is clear and simple in a way that is accessible to everyone." New Mexico Jewish Link "Authentic and simple, this retelling of the Passover story in the Haggadah is designed to guide Passover participants through the Seder while educating them about the practice. Detailing the meaning of the ceremony in the past and present, the book also discusses the authenticity of the ceremony and the story, allowing those with little or no experience conducting a Seder to do so with confidence. A phonetic version of the Hebrew text is also included to aid those unfamiliar with Hebrew pronunciation." Judaism.com "Passover is synonymous with awe-inspiring miracles, horrific plagues and, of course, the infamous fifth question: When do we eat? How can the centerpiece of the holiday, the seder, be transformed into an experience that is meaningful to almost anyone, instead of a boring and seemingly interminable impediment to dinner? Polisar's Haggadah, 'Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained,' draws on Haggadot from many denominations, features straightforward explanations and illustrations, ample but concise Exodus narrative, and a smattering of Hebrew accompanied by translations and transliterations. 'I emphasize the Torah commandment to 're-tell the story' every year,' Polisar explained. 'The actual re-telling of the story sometimes gets obscured by later customs and writings. I think that becoming aware of the origins of the Passover rituals - and how those rituals have evolved over time - can enrich the meaning of the holiday for people.'" Washington Jewish Week "Beautifully done! A lot of families will be grateful for making the Seder experience more accessible." Rabbi David Shneyer, AmKolel Comment | | (Report this)