Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Passover comes to vivid life in this fun and engaging tale from the Shalom Sesame series. As Grover and Big Bird make their way to Brosh and Avigail's home for the Passover seder, a stalled bus gives them an opportunity to do mitzvot (good deeds), like helping a tired woman with her groceries and catching a runaway puppy, on the holiday's eve. As they rush to their hosts' home, Grover and Big Bird learn some common Hebrew words and find relevant moments to remember the Passover story and understand holiday traditions such as eating matzoh. Bright colors and humorous illustrations will draw in readers and inform and excite them about this important Jewish holiday. Ages 2-6. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-In the first title, Big Bird joins Grover in Israel for Passover. As the two friends make their way across town to join Brosh's Seder, the details of the holiday are neatly worked into the action with Big Bird freeing Grover from a sticker bush (as the Jews were freed from slavery) and the pair hurrying to dinner (as the Hebrews hurried from Egypt without time for their bread to rise). It's Moishe Oofnik to the rescue when he gives them a ride to Brosh's house after a promise of plenty of bitter herbs to eat. "I love this stuff," he exclaims with watering eyes. In the second title, Grover learns about the concept of tikkun olam by helping Avigail, Brosh, and Mahboub with the mitzvah of cleaning up a playground after a storm. Even Moishe Oofnik participates in the good deeds by separating recyclables from the trash his friends bring him. Both books are brightly illustrated and explain Jewish concepts clearly, simply, and without condescension. Solid purchases for Jewish preschool programs and other preschools wishing to introduce Jewish holidays and practice.-Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A girl enumerates her boo-boos, one through ten; when she's finished, her mom treats each one in reverse order. The rhymes are sharp ("My tongue is 7. It feels awful! / I burned it on a toaster waffle"), and the art, while unremarkable, relays the young character's believable versatility: she's frills and fairy wings up top, shorts and high-tops below. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The well-known Sesame Street characters visit Israel and impart information about the Passover holiday and story while on their way to a seder at the home of friends Avigail and Brosh. After a flat tire on the bus, Grover and Big Bird decide to walk, only to get lost. On the way, they help a boy catch his runaway dog, carry groceries for an elderly woman, and convince the grouchy Moishe Oofnik to finally give them a ride to the seder with the promise of eating bitter herbs. "My favorite! Hop in." Forced segues within this light-as-a-feather plot lead to snippets of information about the holiday and the celebratory dinner's traditions, such as the Four Questions, the afikomen ritual and the theme of freedom. For example, worried about being late, Big Bird frets, "Yes, but now we'd really better hurry." Grover replies, "Did you knowthat the Jewish people were in a hurry when they followed Moses out of Egypt?" Familiar Muppet figures fill the commercial-looking illustrations. Bold primary colors depict Grover and Big Bird's journey; thought-bubble sequences of the ancient Exodus are populated by bewildered-looking generic Muppet faces. Once the seder is complete, an enlightened Big Bird expresses his appreciation and wish to celebrate next year in Jerusalem. Utterly artless but familiar; good for families whose children are nuts for Muppets. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
