Roadside Seder

"Dressed in his Moses costume, Benjy faces a disappointment. A fallen tree is blocking the road, and his family, along with many others, won’t make it to their Passover seders. But Benjy is ingenious and suggests that everyone unpack all the special holiday dishes from their cars. He proposes that they hold a seder of their own, using the tree as a long table. “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Benjy asks, with the traditional Passover refrain aptly applied to this unusual circumstance. Everyone comes together, exhibiting teamwork and genuine interest in the cultural traditions of others. Persian, Moroccan, and Ethiopian Jews explain practices that may not be as familiar as others. The author also puts a contemporary spin on Passover words to make them more relatable to today’s kids. For example, the term “plague” is used to describe the traffic jam that sets this story in motion, and Benjy’s dog is named Matzah, just like the special bread eaten during Passover. The illustrations are playful, and a search-and-find page allows readers to participate in finding the afikoman. The glossary and recipe at the back add extra value. VERDICT A fun-filled, original story worthy of inclusion." —School Library Journal