This Is Passover

Santiago Cohen attended art school in Mexico and holds a master's degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City. In this board book for the youngest children, there are cute colorful drawings that explain the holiday and seder meal in under 16 pages. It begins with a set table, then wine and matzo are added to the place settings (and a dog and a girl); then Haggadahs (Haggadot) are added along with a boy; then the salt water, roasted egg, maror, grandma and an older boy; and then on successive pages, more symbols are added along with rhyming text and the story. The reader can point to different items at the table to reinforce their own commentaries. The rhymes are cute, and include pour/maror; brine/wine; and story/glory. By the final page, we have a full table, a story, a squared-off bottle of wine - hopefully sweet malaga - and as the candles light we are ready to begin the seder night.

What a pleasure to come across "This is Passover" in my local bookstore. It's simple rhyme and modern illustrations are perfect for toddlers and young kids. A breath of fresh air in a sea of stodgey, wordy, old-fashioned Passover stories.