Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover

Rating:
Summary: A great story in rhyme for the younger set (ages 3-8)
Review: A very clever poem about celelbrating the Seder when there is not enough room. Especially nice for non-orthodox families because the characters could be us and the traditions referenced in the book are probably familiar to most readers even if not orthodox. And the last line of the book makes me smile time and time again. I think I may it enjoy it more than my children. Get it. You can't go wrong.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for tikes
Review: This darling 37-page book offers even the smallest of children--babies and toddlers too--a funny Passover feast.

The poem has barely more than 200 words, but hilariously recounts the arrival of guests--while counting their 19 noses, 38 thumbs, freckles and the hosts' insufficient chairs. It wanders through places they might find seats, including "in the attic,/ Or on bookshelves in pairs,"... "in the sink/ Soaking suds with the pans," camped out "in the carport" or in "empty trash cans."

For the Kiddush (blessing the wine) the family will stand, so that's no problem, but the child narrator knows that sitting down for the meal will land "half on the floor." He thinks of stacking everyone in one chair, and reading "the Haggadah/ Sing songs filled with hope,/ With one book at the bottom/And a long periscope."

I won't spoil any of the glorious special effects. Suffice it to say, readers will delight in the book's dipping of greens, funny hiding of matzah and hysterical asking of four questions. (Even Elijah brings a laugh.) Children also love the simple pen and ink drawings that bring this light-heartedness to life. Alyssa A. Lappen

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Book about Seder
Review: What I like most about this book is that it is so differentfrom the average Jewish children's book. Instead of going through theseder and what each thing symbolizes, it tells a humorous story about a girl worried that there will not be sufficient seating at her family's seder table. Its a funny book, that just happens to occur during Pesach. A real treat.