Roadside Seder

by Anna Levine, Naama Lahav (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

FREEFALL (Greenwillow/HarperCollins) won the Sydney Taylor Honor’s Award the same year that JODIE’S HANUKKAH DIG won a Sydney Taylor Notable Award. Jodie has gone on to discover many new archaeological sites in Israel. Spring 2015 is the third in the series where Jodie goes to a park near Jerusalem, loses her dog Digger, discovers a wine press from the First Temple period and succeeds in rescuing her dog. RUNNING ON EGGS (Front Street/Cricket was on the NY Public Library’s best book list in the year 2000), I have also published short stories and poems in magazines and won the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for both short stories and poetry. Most recently two poems were published in YARN (The Young Adult Review Network). I'm presently working on an adult novel, SURROGATE SISTERS, which is set in Montreal, Quebec. Will keep you posted!

Reviews

[Lori Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem!

"Roadside Seder" tells the story of Benjy and his family who get stuck in traffic on their way to Passover dinner when a palm tree blocks the road. Instead of giving up, Benjy suggests they have their seder right there on the highway with everyone else who's stuck.

What I loved most was seeing all the different Passover traditions from around the world come together. My grandson kept pointing at the illustrations saying "can we try THAT at our house?" And he loved the scene where they're bopping each other with spring onions!

The artwork is colorful and packed with little details we noticed on repeat readings. The older kids also loved the ‘where’s waldo”- like scene at the end where they had to find the afikoman. There's even a charoset recipe in the back that we're definitely trying next Passover!

It's refreshing to find a holiday story that's not just about tradition but also about flexibility, community-building, and making the best of unexpected situations.

[Ilana Wieder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the interactive aspect of ROADSIDE SEDER. From speech bubbles to finding a hidden bag of Afikomen to a special recipe that families can make together, this is a delightful book for families to read together. While the theme of Passover might be familiar to some, this book can serve as a window to the Israeli culture as well as Persian, Moroccan, and Ethiopian cultures.

The author tells a story of a diverse community coming to celebrate together on the eve of Passover after a tree has fallen down in the middle of the road, causing a traffic jam that prevents them from arriving at their destination on time.

I love the familiar phrases (like, "How is this night different from all other nights?") that are cleverly used to depict new and fresh scenarios.

The vibrant illustrations are simple and playful. I highly recommend this book for a fresh, new angle on how a Passover feast might be celebrated together.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This joy-filled picture book includes a variety of Passover traditions and a wide range of customs and celebrations. Benjy and his family are stuck in traffic on their way into Jerusalem for the seder. A large palm tree has fallen and blocked the road. After trying (and failing) to move the tree, the many Passover travelers combine what they had each been bringing with to their own seders to have a giant potluck roadside seder. The different families share their own traditions and have fun trying new ones. Maybe next year they will make it to Jerusalem. Roadside Seder will be appreciated most by those already familiar with Passover. Includes a glossary, a recipe for charoset, and a "Where's Waldo"-esq page to search for the afikoman. Highly recommended for Kindergarten and up.

Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a tree falls on the highway and there's no one there to clear it, will families still get to Jerusalem for Passover? The highway is crowded with families traveling into Jerusalem to join their loved ones for seders. But when a palm tree blocks the road, no one is going to get to Jerusalem or back home before sunset. A quick thinking youngster suggests that they work together to have a seder right on the roadside. Everyone gathers the goodies that they were bringing with them, and they use the tree as a seder table. This charming story brings together a diverse group of Jews and shows customs from all around the world. Kids will be surprised by the Ethiopian custom of breaking pottery and giggle at the idea of the Persian custom's of beating each other with scallions, because Pharos whips can no longer hurt us. The afikomen bag is hidden for the readers to find in a "Where's Waldo " type of hunt. Although this book will be enjoyed most by Jewish readers, there is a glossary at the back for those readers unfamiliar with the Hebrew terms. There is also a recipe for for charosets! This new book is sure to become a Passover favorite for years to come.