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BOOK PICKS: EASTER AND PASSOVER BOOKS
By: Shannon Kaiser | April 14, 2022
This month many families celebrate Easter and Passover. Whether you celebrate the religious aspects of these holidays or not, the following books are perfect for sharing with your children about holidays their family, friends or neighbors may celebrate. One of the most important things we can do to encourage inclusivity and understanding is share information with our kids about diverse cultures. I hope you enjoy these books with your little ones.
EASTER
With Easter fast approaching, here are some fantastic Easter books that are the perfect addition to an Easter basket or to enjoy anytime. Each book is a reminder for your child that some bunny loves them! Enjoy!
CONSTRUCTION SITE: SPRING DELIGHT: AN EASTER LIFT-THE-FLAP BOOK (GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE)
By Sherri Duskey Rinker // Illustrated by AG Ford
It's Easter at the construction site! As sunshine melts the snow away, the trucks discover all around them the signs of spring. Lift the flaps on each sturdy page to reveal blooming flowers, baby ducks, and gentle lambs—and a special Easter egg hunt surprise! With bestselling author Sherri Duskey Rinker's lovable rhyming text and heartwarming illustrations by AG Ford, this interactive Easter tale will bring smiles to truck lovers and their families while celebrating the beauty of spring.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
WE’RE GOING ON AN EGG HUNT
By Martha Mumford // Illustrated by Laura Hughes
Join a family of bunnies as they set off on an exciting lift-the-flap Easter egg hunt. There are ten eggs to find and count–but watch out for the obstacles along the way . . . Lambs, chicks, bees, and ducks await, and there's even a wolfish surprise, so be careful!
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
THE WORST EASTER BOOK IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD
By Joey Acker
The Worst Easter Book in the Whole Entire World is a humorous and witty tale for young and seasoned readers. No Easter gift basket, Easter egg hunt, Easter meal, or Easter party is complete without this unique and quite ridiculous story, bound to make you or your little one giggle and laugh out loud. Put a silly spin on the traditional Easter Bunny story and don't miss out on this new classic!
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
HOW TO CATCH THE EASTER BUNNY
By Adam Wallace // Illustrated by Andy Elkerton
Finding eggs is easy, but can YOU catch the Easter Bunny in action this year? He has a basket full of treats and tricks for staying hidden―plus that bunny hippity hops with lightning speed! Start a new tradition with this bright and funny children's Easter book and get inspired to build STEAM traps of your own to pair with the read aloud! Educators, families, and children will love this wonderfully creative opportunity to have fun and celebrate the holiday together.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER: DUMB BUNNY
By Barbara Par // Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Lucille is having an Easter egg hunt at her rich expensive mansion! And guess what? The winner gets a play date to swim in Lucille’s heated indoor swimming pool! Only, here is the problem. How did Junie B. get stuck wearing a big dumb bunny suit? And how can she possibly find eggs when she keeps tripping over her huge big rabbit feet? Being a dumb bunny is definitely not as easy as it looks. Will Junie B. end up with egg on her face? Or will the day deliver some very uneggspected results?
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
PASSOVER
Check out these excellent children’s books about Passover, its meaning, and how it is observed to help your children learn about the Jewish religion, beliefs and traditions of their family or neighbors and friends. Chag Pesach kasher vesame’ach! Even though our family is not Jewish, I believe in the importance of sharing books about other faiths, religions, nationalities and families with my children.
PASSOVER FAMILY
By Monique Polak
Teach babies and toddlers about this important Jewish festival by exploring what happens during the Passover Seder with this delightful photographic board book. This primer features family and friends coming together to share a meal, tell stories and sing songs, and encourages little ones to participate in this special time. Children of all faiths will enjoy the bright photos and primary text that focuses on bringing family together to celebrate and observe a holiday tradition.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
MY FIRST PASSOVER
By Tomie dePaola
Passover is a time for families and friends to celebrate their faith and shared history with honored practices dating back centuries. Tomie dePaola's straightforward text and understated illustrations provide simple insight into the holiday background for young readers, while eye-catching foil emphasizes the importance of traditional Passover items.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
MORE THAN ENOUGH: A PASSOVER STORY
By April Halprin Wayland // Illustrated by Katie Kath
In this story told in spare, lyrical prose, a Jewish family prepares for their Passover Seder, visiting the farmer's market for walnuts, lilacs, and honey (and adopting a kitten along the way!), then chopping apples for the charoset, and getting dressed up before walking to Nana's house. The refrain throughout is “Dayenu”—a mind-set of thankfulness and a reminder to be aware of the blessings in each moment. At Nana's, there's matzo ball soup, chicken, coconut macaroons, and of course, the hidden afikomen. After opening the door for Elijah and singing the verses of “Chad Gadya,” Nana tucks the children in for a special Passover sleepover.
This warm, affectionate story embraces Passover in the spirit of dayenu, and offers a comprehensive glossary—it’s a perfect read for the entire family in anticipation and celebration of the holiday.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
THE PASSOVER GUEST
By Susan Kusel // Illustrated by Sean Rubin
Based on the classic children’s book The Magician, this retelling of a Passover miracle takes place in Washington, DC during the Great Depression. Young Muriel wanders through famous sites in the capital. She’s in no hurry to get home, despite the approaching holiday, because her family can’t afford a Seder this year.
When a colorful, tattered, mysterious man catches her eye at the Lincoln Memorial, she gives him her last penny. He urges her to hurry home for the Seder, despite her protests that her family has no food or wine (not even to fill Elijah’s cup.) Soon after she arrives home, the man arrives there too, and an incredible feast appears. Is it alright to eat this meal, and who has provided it? Muriel turns to her rabbi for clues.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
PASSOVER: FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM
By Monique Polak
During Passover, Jews are reminded of how, more than three thousand years ago, their ancestors emerged from slavery to become free men and women. Bestselling author Monique Polak explores her own Jewish roots as she tells the Passover story, which reminds us that the freedom to be who we are and practice our religion, whatever it may be, is a great gift. It also teaches us that if we summon our courage and look out for each other, we can endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances. Enlivened by personal stories, Passover reminds us that we can all endure and overcome the most challenging circumstances.
Purchase the book through Amazon Smile HERE.
AMAZON SMILE
Help raise money for SMMC philanthropy projects by selecting Southern Marin Mothers’ Club as your AmazonSmile beneficiary. AmazonSmile is an easy way to give back and support the organization with your Amazon purchases. Register your Amazon account HERE.
Shannon Kaiser lives in Tiburon with her husband, Rolf, and three crazy kids who are in 4th grade, 1st grade, and Montessori. She spends her days chauffeuring her kids around town, folding laundry and serving as the 2021-22 term Southern Marin Mothers' Club President. You can reach Shannon at president@southernmarinmoms.com.
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Book Picks: Easter and Passover Books Read >>
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Gracing New Beginnings Read >>
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Meet the 2022-2023 SMMC Board Read >>
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