A cute young mouse named Pippa is preparing for Passover with the usual pre-holiday flurry and scurry. In well-scanning rhyme, and accompanied by brightly colored illustrations, Pippa searches everywhere she can think of for her seder plate, which seems to be missing. She finds a box of “holey socks” and other comically illustrated, surprising discoveries but the seder plate has not yet been found.
Pippa has a startling run-in with a cat in the yard but, in spite of her fearful shaking and quaking, she manages to inquire as to whether the cat has seen the seder plate. The cat directs her to a snake, who directs her to a wise old owl, who directs her to Golda Fish. Pippa overcomes her fears and continues to ask about the whereabouts of the missing plate. While pursuing the fish, Pippa falls into the water, where she discovers many underwater treasures: “Ball and coin and old tin can/bottle cap and rusty pan/globe to circumnavigate. /Best of all the Seder Plate.”
A sweet, simple tale of bravery and determination, Pippa’s Passover Plate will amuse young readers in rhythm and rhyme as it focuses on one important holiday icon.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.