Easter and Esther: Books for Spring Holidays

Easter and Esther: Books for Spring Holidays

The widely-celebrated Christian holiday of Easter is coming this Sunday, right on the heels of a lesser-known Jewish holiday: Purim, which falls on March 21 this year, and which is generally celebrated with costumes, merriment, noisemaking, gifts to charity, and the consumption of yummy filled cookies called hamentaschen.

If you celebrate either of these holidays for their religious significance, their kid-friendly rituals, or both, or if you observe neither of them but are just looking for some enjoyable and seasonal books, I'd recommend any of the titles below:

• Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale, by Barbara Diamond Goldin, illustrated by Erica Weihs

Hershel's mother doesn't think he can help her make Purim cookies to sell, since he is blind, but he surprises her with his ability and his creativity. Out of print but well worth tracking down at a library or used bookstore near you.

• Chicken Sunday, by Patricia Polacco.

Young Tricia and her friends Stewart and Winston want to buy a wonderful Easter hat for Stewart and Winston's grandma, but first they must overcome the suspicions of the cranky shopkeeper. A heartwarming story about friends overcoming barriers of age, race, and religion.

• Max's Chocolate Chicken, by Rosemary Wells

Another adventure with those lovable rabbit siblings beloved of preschoolers. This time, Ruby insists that Max go on an egg hunt before he can eat the delicious-looking chocolate chicken.

• Queen Esther the Morning Star, by Mordicai Gerstein

The biblical story of heroic Queen Esther forms the basis for Purim. Gerstein retells it here in simple language, with gorgeous, gilded, Persian-influenced illustrations. (Out of print, but available used or at libraries.)

• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, by DuBose Heyward

A poor single mother fulfils her dream of becoming the Easter Bunny. This charming and timeless book, first published in 1939, has a surprisingly contemporary sense, and features an ambitious but still loving mother and her twenty-one well-raised and self-reliant children.

• The Mystery Bear: a Purim Story, by Leone Adelson, illustrated by Naomi Howland

A little bear emerges from hibernation and accidentally crashes a Purim party, only to be mistaken for a costumed human guest. Perfect for young children.

Wishing you delicious treats, delicious books, and longer, warmer days in the the week ahead!

March 18, 2008

Comments

[Dootz]

The story of Esther is one of my favorite in Scripture. Amazingly, it never mentions "God," yet it is a wonderful story of God's protection and providence.