(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tim Smart. This book opens at a suspenseful point in its subject's story: "Even with war raging around them [in 1995], the people of Sarajevo were worrying about a book." The text then flashes back and gives the history of a hand-painted, hand-lettered Haggadah (guide for the Passover seder) given as a wedding gift in Spain around 1350 and passed from generation to generation and place to place. It survived the Spanish Inquisition...and scribbles and wine spills...before being sold to the National Museum in Sarajevo in 1894. Strauss spotlights the ways the rare Haggadah became "everybody's treasure"; e.g., a Muslim curator and a Catholic museum director each had a hand in protecting it from the Nazis. Her accessible text clearly explains key moments in the book's sweeping history. Smart's illustrations portray these moments with varied compositions and perspectives, keeping pages turning. In addition to depictions of the Haggadah itself, occasional borders nod at its intricate design. Source notes or other more extensive back matter (beyond the brief author's note) would have enhanced this title, but it serves as an engaging introduction to a volume with a remarkable history.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) PS Illustrated by Sara Infante. "An eight is two circles, / One high and one low-- / Like the jolly fat fellow / You build out of snow." Rhyming quatrains describe the shape of each number and relate it to images in the mixed-media illustrations, whose casually diverse cast of dynamically exaggerated adult and child figures picnic, bike, whale watch, and go trick-or-treating in a vibrant retro palette. Subtle dotted lines tracing the number shapes are repeated in the "How many numbers can you spy?" seek-and-find at book's end. A final spread uses images from the illustrations as counters to show zero to nine in this preschool-appropriate number- and counting-palooza.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau. Jessica is concerned that her bedridden grandfather will not be able to attend this year's Passover seder, let alone lead the ceremony as usual. In spite of this year's changed circumstances, Jessica finds a way for Grandpa to guide the readings right from his bedroom. Softly textured illustrations depict preparation for the traditional meal as related in the sincere first-person narrative.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alexi Natchev. In a small village long ago, the once-close Lippa and Galinsky families feuded. With the rabbi, their children (who loved one another) enacted a plan to bring their families together for Seder so that Passover could truly be celebrated. How the whole village participates makes for a warmhearted story of reconciliation and togetherness. Strikingly painted woodcuts illustrate the Passover tale.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) PS Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata. Jaunty rhymes describe a child's typical day at preschool. First things first: "Hi to teacher, / Coat on hook. / Run to shelf / And find a book." Later: "Find my mat / And make a nest. / Shhhh! I need to / Take a rest." Strauss's economical text is age appropriate, and Nakata's colorful, blocky illustrations give kids lots to look at.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Malene Reynolds Laugesen. A poor tailor's family sews a wedding gown for the princess hoping she will choose them to be her embroiderer. At the last minute, Hanna, the youngest child, discovers a stain on the silk. With a deadline looming, Hanna comes up with an ingenious solution. The oil-crayon and linseed-oil illustrations feature intriguing dresses; the text, created from a family story, has the feel of a folktale.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Sue Truesdell. Originally published in Cricket, these are the collected adventures of Caroline and Hilary, the fairy (in girl form) who's come to live with her. Together they use Hilary's magic to build the tallest snowman, enliven a magician's show, and make Caroline's cat invisible so he can accompany them to school. The girls make an enchanting pair, and Truesdell's loose line drawings embody their zest and energy.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli