My first Passover

PreS-Gr 1--With her signature colorful, collage-like illustrations featuring diverse characters with round faces and rosy cheeks, Katz (Where Is Baby's Belly Button?) presents an overview of the Passover Seder. Most of the traditional steps, labeled in transliterated Hebrew, are explained in clear, simple language, including lighting the candles, drinking wine or juice, handwashing, dipping parsley in salt water, hiding and finding the middle matzah, and asking the four questions. While it is featured in the illustration of the Seder Plate, the ritual involving the bitter herbs is missing from the text, as are the four cups of wine. Despite these and other minor omissions, the order of the Seder is well represented. The summary of the story of the Exodus is appropriate for the target audience, and a spread depicts all 10 plagues. The final plague is described as "firstborn sons were struck down" and shows a swaddled baby with a red X over him. At the end of the book, the large multigenerational family with varying skin tones enjoys the festive meal together. Since Jews refrain from eating certain foods such as bread, pasta, and baked goods on Passover, the choice to include noodle pudding on the menu seems out of place, as does the bakery bag carried into the house at the beginning. VERDICT Regardless of slight flaws, this is a welcome addition to the series.--Rachel Kamin

A tot observes Passover. The family prepares for dinner, greets their guests, and begins the seder service with blessings. Along the way, the young narrator discusses the various customs--and offers earnestly enthusiastic asides. Everyone takes a sip of wine ("I get to drink grape juice"). Soon it's time for the reading of the Four Questions ("I get to read [them]…because I am the youngest. This is my first year doing it!"). Next, the youngster tells the story of how the Jews escaped slavery in Egypt, the family eats their festive meal ("gefilte fish, roasted chicken, matzah ball soup, potato kugel, and noodle pudding. YUM!"), and the children hunt for the afikoman, the hidden piece of matzah. At last, the seder finishes with a wish for freedom and a "Happy Passover!" Katz's illustrations rely on bright colors and eye-catching patterns; the characters sport such wide grins that readers can't help smiling along. The text is clear and easy to follow, each tradition explained simply but effectively at an age-appropriate level, though the addition of backmatter would have been helpful. More complex topics--the seder plate, the 10 plagues--are well illustrated with examples, and the book follows the distinct steps of a seder; however, a few are combined or skipped. The young protagonist is pale-skinned; other characters vary in skin tone. An inviting, child-friendly introduction to a key Jewish holiday.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.