PIRATE PASSOVER

Celebrating Passover, buccaneer style.

Capt. Drew and a racially diverse pirate crew are getting ready for Passover: swabbing the deck, polishing rails, raising sails, and getting rid of chametz—leavened foods—illustrated as those containing wheat plus other forbidden-during-Passover items such as what appear to be doughnuts, corn, and crackers. Drew explains that matzah will be eaten instead and prepares the seder plate with foods that serve a symbolic function at the festive dinner. All isn’t smooth sailing, however. A heavy storm arises as the crew sits down to eat. Heavy rain, high waves, lightning, and matzah balls rolling down the plank and sinking into the turbulent sea destroy any hope for a shipboard seder. When the ship washes ashore on a tropical isle, Captain Drew leads the crew to a house, where they’re welcomed to join the seder hosted by the family living there. All the traditional rituals are observed, and even Drew’s parrot, Bernie, participates. The evening ends pleasantly, with improved weather, and the pirates sail away on calm seas. This is a sweet, original take on the holiday, expressed in lilting rhymes that read and scan well. Children will enjoy the cheerful pirate theme, and Jewish youngsters who understand Passover rituals and traditions will appreciate the textual and depicted nods to recognizable customs. Illustrations are colorful and lively. Drew is light-skinned; the island family is tan-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An enjoyable treat for the holiday. Don’t pass this one over.