Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover

by Deborah Uchill Miller

Speculates in rhyme how to handle nineteen guests at a Seder dinner when there are only nine chairs.

Genres: Jewish, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Oriyah N · Rating 4 out of 5]

6yo: 3 stars
5y0: 5 stars

Their reviews (May contain spoilers)

5yo: It was a funny [book.] It was funny that some [people] sat on the roof, some sat on the stairs, some sat on the bookshelf, some in the sink, some in the garbage. I didn't like that everyone sat on the same chair, and that for kiddush they would lean because it's dangerous, 'cuz they could fall down.

6yo: I liked that *Spoiler alert* Eliyahu HaNavi brought his own chair, and I liked that two people sat on one chair, and that one person said "I have an idea" that two people will sit on one chair.

What I didn't like is that one person had an idea to all of the people will sit on one chair. And I didn't like that they were doing the mitzvah of doing mesubin (leaning) all on one chair. I didn't also like that everyone were covered in matzah crumbs except their eyes. And also I didn't like that they were holding a periscope while they were all on one chair, because they can fall down, they're not holding on. I didn't like that some were sitting in the bookshelf and in the garbage and in the sink......I also didn't like that they fell down and that the baby was sitting at the table and that a cat was at the table , 'cuz I don't like aveirahs [ruining your food and everything], I only like mitzvahs.

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

passover tale

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny.

[Oanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about family and guests coming over for Passover Seder but there's just one problem... there's 19 guests coming and they only have nine chairs! Not only is this book a great introduction to discuss Passover and the ritual feast of Seder, it can also be integrated with math as well. Readers can count the different ways to divide seating the guests (ex. if 2 people shared a chair; if half of the guests sat on the floor or stood; if some people sat on a 3-person couch; etc.) and it can also be used to multiply and count how many eyes, noses, fingers, etc. are in the room as the narrator mentions in the story.

[Stephen Feingold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best children's book on Passover I've ever read. The people in the book look like you and me and not orthodox It is educational but without being heavy handed. And every time I read the last page I
cant help but smile.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most delightful books in our collection. My kids are seven and nine now and still talk about this. Funny, clever, rollicking fun. Accessible for the less observant and more observant Jew.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Cute rhyming.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Passover story is too silly for my taste and I don't care for the illustration style. Others may like it.