These books help kids connect with Easter and Passover
Children can celebrate Easter and/or Passover with these books that colourfully blend old and new traditions with a sense of family and fun, writes Mia Geiger.
Egg Kevin Henkes Greenwillow Books
Acclaimed author and illustrator Kevin Henke’s newest offering is as scrumptious to look at as it is to read. Four candy-coloured eggs — pink, yellow, blue and green — make up the entire first page. Each is centred in its own square, bordered with chocolatey brown lines. The text is simple: “egg/egg/egg/egg.” On the next page, the grid-like format continues, but this time, three eggs bear a slight crack. Thus, the text: “crack/crack/crack/egg.” Chicks pop out of all of the eggs except one: “surprise/surprise/ surprise/egg.” The chicks are bewildered by the unopened egg and peck at it until it opens. It’s not a chick that emerges, though, but another creature — one they initially fear. It’s a lovely tale of acceptance, friendship and feelings, represented by an economy of words and uncomplicated-yetmasterful illustrations. Tuck this treasure into your tot’s Easter basket.
We’re Going on an Egg Hunt Laura Hughes Bloomsbury Press
The eggs hidden in this lift-theflap book might not be chocolate, but they’re just as much fun to find as the real thing. A family of rabbits trots toward a barn to locate 10 eggs, hidden among lambs, chicks, ducks and even bees. Surprises abound — a pink-and-blue egg hidden behind a flap adorned with flowers, a blue-speckled egg behind a bush, a purple egg behind a chicken. Each flap has a number on the inside, so kids can keep track of how many eggs they find. Some flaps, however, reveal non-eggs, from a snail to a hedgehog to ducklings. A huge egg offers the biggest eye-opener — a hungry wolf! He’s no match for the speed of the rabbits, though, and the story ends with the family happily chomping on their chocolate eggs. Playful ink-andwatercolour illustrations portray a jubilant family outing.
The Passover Cowboy Barbara Diamond Goldin; illustrated by Gina Capaldi Apples & Honey Press
Jacob and his family have relocated from Russia to Argentina. But life here is an adjustment: “He thought of how he missed his friends in Russia. How they would run in and out of each other’s houses, one house right next to the other. It was very different here where everything was so far apart.” At Passover, he invites his new friend Benito to his Seder and hopes he will attend, but isn’t sure if he will. During the dinner, Benito arrives: “I wanted to see what this celebration of freedom was all about,” said Benito. “You know, we struggled for our freedom, too, here in Argentina.” Finely appointed, lush watercolour illustrations of the characters and Argentine landscape give vibrancy to this well-paced story of tradition, family and friendship punctuated with humour and warmth.
Everybunny Dance!
Ellie Sandall Margaret K. McElderry Books
The bunnies in this book just want to boogie. They’re different sizes — from small to large, slight to chubby. They’re a range of colours: Some have red, yellow or brown spots, and some are mostly grey, tan or orange. But they all whoop it up, together, celebrating creative expression and friendship. The story begins: “Nobody is watching./Now’s the perfect chance./Ready bunny,/ steady bunny,/ Everybunny dance!” From there, they dance, play musical instruments and sing — until they spy a fox. Is he friend or foe? Little ones will relish finding out what the fox has in mind and how the bunnies react in this surprising and uplifting story. They’ll also be inspired to twist, twirl and wiggle along with the charming characters.
Otter Loves Easter Sam Garton Balzar + Bray
A lovable otter narrates his day, which starts on Easter morning. He can barely contain his excitement when he sees all the candy left by the Easter Bunny. He discovers “4 medium-size eggs/1 bag of jelly beans/1 bag of small eggs/3 big eggs/1 pair of bunny ears/12 small eggs in a basket/1 gold bunny.” His adult, however, tells him he must share. This doesn’t sit well with Otter: “But sharing is very hard./Because eating chocolate is very easy.” After he eats all the candy, he feels bad that his friends didn’t get any. Using the pink bunny ears, he transforms himself into “the Easter Otter!” He sets up an egg hunt, and afterward, his friends show him an unexpected kindness. Cute, colourful digital illustrations enrich the gentle story.