(4) K-3 Illustrated by Erica J. Chen. A family of excited cats prepares for and celebrates Passover: they clean the house, set the table, pray and sing at the seder, and eat a special meal. The singsongy rhymes and cat-themed puns (“Meow-nishtanah...” begins the cat chanting the Four Questions) can grow tiresome, but the book is faithful to the traditions of the holiday. Energetic if somewhat one-note illustrations show the kitties having a blast. Instructions for making a “meow-tzah cover” are appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Shannon Hochman. In this collection of fourteen Passover-themed tales by different authors -- Laurel Snyder, Adam Gidwitz, Veera Hiranandani, among others -- one story is assigned to each step of the Seder. Each piece is preceded by an explanation of that step and four reflection questions. The engaging tales cover a vast range of Jewish experiences, including emigration from Eastern Europe and Cuba, Orthodox family life, women's varied roles in Jewish ritual, and interfaith families; as well as parts of life beyond the holiday, including losing a grandparent, coming out, being bullied, and neurodiversity. Most readers will find something that speaks to them and reflects who they are. The formats are also diverse, including realistic fiction, autobiography, fantasy, verse, and a story partially told in comics format. The tales invite readers to think about their personal relationships to the themes of family, freedom, and identity. Hochman's stark and atmospheric black-and-white drawings at the start of each story may remind readers of some Haggadah illustrations. Appended recipes invite hands-on interaction.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Siona Benjamin. The Bene Israel, one of the "three largest groups of Jews in India," arrived around 175 BCE. They were fleeing the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes just before "the Maccabean Revolt...better known as the story of Hanukkah." Lyons's tale begins with a nani (grandmother) telling her granddaughter about their ancestors' dangerous sea voyage. A storm hits, and there are few survivors; those who do make it are welcomed to Alibag, India, a place where people "had their own religions, but respected the new traditions brought from far away." Benjamin's sumptuous-hued mixed-media illustrations swirl with color and movement in this story of an underrepresented aspect of Jewish history.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) K-3 DePaola distills the Nativity story of the Three Wise Men in this gorgeous book first published in 1983, the sumptuous acrylic paintings glowing with blues, greens, and pinks. A brief text follows kings Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar as they discover and follow a new, unfamiliar star; consult with the malign Herod; proceed to Bethlehem to deliver their gifts to the baby Jesus; and then, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, return to their home countries. An informative note describes the evolution of the story, beginning with its first, detail-less written account in the Gospel of Matthew (the names and number of the Wise Men were added later). A welcome reissue of another title in dePaola's copious Christmas oeuvre.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(3) PS Illustrated by Christine Grove. "Today is Friday. On Fridays I wait...and wait...and wait." A boy eagerly anticipates the arrival of Shabbat as his family members grocery shop, buy flowers, do laundry, and cook. Finally, when the sun goes down and everyone sits down for a festive meal, "Shabbat is here." The cheery illustrations depict a perpetually smiling, interracial family enjoying their holiday preparations.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mélanie Florian. Marcy's excited to be the question-asker at her Passover seder, since "she knew a lot about questions. She asked them all the time." But her four questions--e.g., "Are worms kosher for Passover?"--aren't what her family expected. It's a gentle misunderstanding with a satisfying resolution; cartoonlike, emotive illustrations capture Marcy's enthusiasm. The actual Four Questions (and their answers) are included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Aisato. This is a lyrical meditation on Christ's birth, told by His mother Mary as the newborn sleeps in her arms. "Can you believe it? God's anointed one upon my breast, with milk, just there, at the corner of his tiny mouth." Although unduly ponderous for a picture-book audience, the text reads aloud beautifully, and the watery, speckled illustrations convey the humble humanity of mother and Child alike.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kristina Swarner. This useful volume features brief, short-lined, free-verse poems and "reflections" for each night of the holiday, connecting the ritual of candle-lighting to broader themes. It also provides Hebrew blessings with English transliterations and translations, historical background, dreidel-playing instructions, recipes, crafts, and sheet music. Mottled illustrations in warm pinks and blues evoke the hushed atmosphere around a lit menorah, while the text provides room for contemplation along with practical information.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) 4-6 Orca Origins series. This introduction to Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and prayer, balances information with personal stories and uses a variety of visual storytelling techniques (sidebars, pull-out quotes, recipes, etc.). Mindfulness of cultural nuances ("there really is no such thing as a single 'Muslim world'"); a chatty, down-to-earth narrative voice; and an attractive, photo-heavy design make the volume both informative and engaging. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. The story of Jesus's resurrection on Easter morning is told in the style of "The House That Jack Built." The rhyming text and predictable pattern make this an engaging read-aloud for religious settings. The full-spread illustrations are luminous and purple-hued (the color traditionally associated with the Passion of Christ). Bible verses from the Gospel according to John begin and end the book.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(2) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. "Did you ever wonder HOW a menorah is made?" Ofanansky spotlights three artists working with different materials to craft menorahs; she also highlights a candle-maker and explores the olive oil–harvesting process. The conversational text provides history and details about Hanukkah and presents simple tips young readers can use to make their own menorahs, dreidels, and holiday treats. Vivid photographs in a scrapbook-like format engagingly capture the hands-on details.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(4) PS Illustrated by Vashti Harrison. This sweet, nicely repetitive story for the preschool set teaches colors ("Marigolds make orange") while describing how two children make petal-powders for tossing with neighbors in the streets for Holi. Joyful, color- and light-filled digital illustrations incorporate authentic North Indian details such as rangoli art, though other details seem more Americanized. An authors' note about Holi is appended. "Holi, hai!"

Reviewer: Amitha Knight

(3) 4-6 Orca Origins series. Starting with the pre-Christian Midwinter celebrations that preceded it in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, this is an informative history of the Christian holiday that is now celebrated in many parts of the world. The narrative is well illustrated with color photos and sprinkled with the authors' own stories and the Christmas memories of their family and friends. Several recipes are also included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) PS Illustrated by William Low. This new board-book edition retains all the quiet reverence of the original picture book, a very simple yet lyrical retelling of the Nativity story. The smaller trim size does not detract from the luminous illustrations that perfectly match the text, which directs listeners to "welcome this tiny baby boy. / Feel this hush. / This peace on Earth. / This first Christmas night."

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) K-3 Selecting relevant sections of medieval and Renaissance paintings and pairing them with the story of Christ's birth as told in the stately language of Isaiah and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke from the King James Bible, the Met has created a handsome gift book. On glossy paper, the large reproductions sometimes bleed across the gutter and small vignettes are placed above the text.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Photographs by Eliyahu Alpern. Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of two ancient temples in Jerusalem, has "become a symbol of Jewish suffering and loss." With few children's books on the topic, this unique photo-essay focuses on contemporary children from a religious Israeli family, who visit the archaeological sites and learn about the temples and holiday practices. More about Tisha B'Av is appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) PS Rylant uses the most humble of painting techniques to illustrate a picture book that is half Nativity, half Beatitudes. Adapted and abridged from Matthew and Luke, the medley isn't particularly coherent, but the pictures, setting bits and blobs of naively conceived sheep and people against expansive landscapes rendered in broad strokes, are homely in the best sense, providing calm and quiet to the season.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) K-3 Translated by Kathryn Bishop. Elschner's retelling of the Epiphany story (with its yearly celebration detailed on the last page) focuses on the Magi and their journey to and gifts for the "new-born king." Children might require additional context to connect this to the Nativity story (Jesus is unmentioned by name). The various handsome Renaissance images may require adult elaboration, as they don't always clearly illuminate the meaning of the poetic text.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) PS Illustrated by Helen Poole. For each letter of the alphabet, this picture book introduces a Passover-themed concept and poses a rhymed question about it; the accompanying illustration provides multiple-choice options or a related puzzle. Ordering the elements alphabetically (for a holiday that's very much concerned with chronological order) makes the text disjointed, though it's useful as review for readers already familiar with Passover.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) PS Illustrated by William Low. Direct-address text pulls listeners into this super-simple yet lyrical retelling of the Nativity story: "See this small gray donkey, / this long, dusty road, / this promising star... Hear these angels singing. / Welcome this tiny baby boy." Illustrations perfectly match the text, evoking the humble setting yet also reinforcing the sense of reverence and import. A moving and memorable Christmas story.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016