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On Passover
As a young girl prepares for Passover with her family, she uses all her senses to experience this important Jewish holiday. Everyone in her family answers her questions (which are an integral part of Passover) and playfully encourages her to understand more deeply what they are celebrating. Her father tells her that it is important for Jewish people to celebrate Passover every year so that they can always remember what it was like when people were slaves in Egypt, and so they can pray for all the people in the world who don't have freedom. The girl learns that Passover has things to see (feathers, candles, and spoons), smell (gefilte fish and chicken soup), taste (matzah bread), hear (songs and blessings), and feel (the softness of the silk matzah cover). Passover is a time to ask questions. But most of all, she says, Passover is "a wonderful feeling in my heart, dyenu." (Hebrew for "it would be enough.")
Cathy Goldberg Fishman's gentle, lilting child's-eye-view of Passover is a quiet extravaganza of the senses. Melanie W. Hall's wonderfully Chagall-like collagraph and mixed-media illustrations create a mystical backdrop that evokes history and tradition as it commemorates ancient symbolic ritual. This is one of four in a series by the author/illustrator team, including On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, On Hanukkah, and On Purim. (Ages 5 to 10) --Emilie Coulter
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1997
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 30, 2011
I chose this book off a featured library shelf because the illustrations spoke to me. When I came to the book’s Goodreads’ page, I noticed that this author has several other Jewish holidays themed books, and I’m now interested in reading them all, especially if they are illustrated by the artist who did the illustrations for this book.
I love the illustrations. They are my cup of tea. Just beautiful in style and the colors used and how they were used is so appealing to the eye.
The story, of a boy who asks questions and goes through the “five senses” of Passover, is perfect for the holiday. A bit about its history and traditions, and its sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and its things to feel and, as the book says, dyenu - any of them would be enough. Every year at Seders that are held the first two nights of Passover, the story behind the holiday is told, so the fact that the kid in the book is asking questions he already knows the answers to is particularly fitting. It doesn’t take that many years of participation for children to learn why and how Passover is celebrated.
The story didn’t soar and I was a little surprised at the lack of showing any but traditional gender roles, but the story does its job, and I think many kids would enjoy it around Passover time, whether they observe the holiday annually and know it well or whether they’re just learning about its meaning and how it’s celebrated.
There is a glossary at the end of the book, covering about a dozen words and phrases that have a connection to the holiday.
Well, and for obvious reasons I tend to most enjoy all vegan Passover Sedars, and there are “approved” vegan foods to substitute for the traditional ones; at these meals, many of the foods have symbolic meanings. I’ve also enjoyed my share of more traditional Passover meals that add in some vegan dishes. The foods mentioned in this book are the traditional animal and plant based mix. Natch.
I love the illustrations. They are my cup of tea. Just beautiful in style and the colors used and how they were used is so appealing to the eye.
The story, of a boy who asks questions and goes through the “five senses” of Passover, is perfect for the holiday. A bit about its history and traditions, and its sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and its things to feel and, as the book says, dyenu - any of them would be enough. Every year at Seders that are held the first two nights of Passover, the story behind the holiday is told, so the fact that the kid in the book is asking questions he already knows the answers to is particularly fitting. It doesn’t take that many years of participation for children to learn why and how Passover is celebrated.
The story didn’t soar and I was a little surprised at the lack of showing any but traditional gender roles, but the story does its job, and I think many kids would enjoy it around Passover time, whether they observe the holiday annually and know it well or whether they’re just learning about its meaning and how it’s celebrated.
There is a glossary at the end of the book, covering about a dozen words and phrases that have a connection to the holiday.
Well, and for obvious reasons I tend to most enjoy all vegan Passover Sedars, and there are “approved” vegan foods to substitute for the traditional ones; at these meals, many of the foods have symbolic meanings. I’ve also enjoyed my share of more traditional Passover meals that add in some vegan dishes. The foods mentioned in this book are the traditional animal and plant based mix. Natch.
October 29, 2012
"On Passover" by Cathy Fishman is an excellent children's book that deals with the Jewish holiday, Passover. It takes you through the traditions of Passover through each of your senses. What do you hear, feel, smell, see, taste during Passover... read the book to find out! It is a very informative book but also an entertaining one that students would enjoy reading and learning about.
The illustrations are very detailed and appropriate for the book. They do an excellent job of telling the story, and really fit the theme of the book.
I would recommend this book to any teacher or student interested in learning about different religious cultures.
The illustrations are very detailed and appropriate for the book. They do an excellent job of telling the story, and really fit the theme of the book.
I would recommend this book to any teacher or student interested in learning about different religious cultures.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews