Review: Happy Passover, Edie Rose!
Happy Passover, Edie Rose!
by Joy Preble, illustrated by Valeria Cis
Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2025
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Julie Ditton
Why is this Passover book different from all other Passover books?
Most other Passover picture books tell the biblical Passover story or tell a tale of a typical seder. This one is a bit different. Mia and everyone else loves going to Edie Rose's apartment for the Passover seder. Edie always prepares everything, and guests are told "just bring yourself". Edie makes everything fun, with paper frogs that kids have colored, and everyone participating and imagining that they are marching together to escape Egypt. Edie is quite the character, and regales Mia with the stories of all her travels. She has given Mia a map of the world to mark her own travels, stating that "You never know what journey might call your name." When Edie is injured right before Passover, Mia realizes that a journey is calling her name. It is up to her to organize everyone to pull together and bring the seder to Edie.
Joy Preble tells an engaging story and the character of Edie is a lot of fun. Mia is thoughtful and kids will identify with her. Valeria Cis illustrates the book with wonderfully expressive faces. I loved the fact that you could see Edie's age from her lined face and hair threaded with grey. The neighbors who come to the seder are part of a diverse party, with a variety of skin tones.
This picture book centers on some Passover traditions, but it is really a book about the mitzvot of sharing and of helping others. The plot and the themes are both perfect for Jewish youngsters. This book adds some variety to the typical Passover children's bookshelf and would make a great gift. If Bubbe had just come as a guest and not brought a book, it would have been enough...but not as much fun!
Reviewer Julie Ditton posts reviews on her Storybook Lady Facebook page and on Instagram @story.book.lady. As her name would imply, her favorite genre is Children’s Literature. Most of her reviews are children’s books and about half of those have Jewish themes. She has a shelf on Goodreads specifically for Jewish Children’s Books. She also has individual shelves for each Jewish holiday. She enjoys promoting Jewish Children’s literature. and is an active contributor to the Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook group.
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