AND THEN ANOTHER SHEEP TURNED UP

Preparation and plans for a small family Seder are altered when the Sheep family of four is continually interrupted by unexpected guests who successively show up throughout the evening.

Papa, Mama, Hannah and Noah Sheep have just sat down when Grandma Sheep hurries through the door with macaroons and wine. As the first cup of wine is poured, karpas (parsley) is passed out, and as each remaining portion of the ceremony proceeds, another sheep comes to the door with either an excuse or a gift. Kids will stay engaged with this rhyming, cumulative tale and its refrain: “Mama set another place. / Papa found an extra seat. / Hannah squeezed to make more space, / thrilled to have a guest to greet.” They will sympathize as Noah’s yawns grow increasingly larger and quickly join in with the repeated punch line, “And then another sheep turned up!” The illustrations establish the friendly, good-natured mood enjoyed by these curly-topped, round-eyed ovines, dressed in holiday garb and sitting around a nicely set Passover table. By the time Elijah’s cup is filled and the door is opened to welcome him, all the sheep have finally arrived, the youngest has fallen asleep, and the singing of songs concludes the evening’s festive dinner.

An amusing and appealing way to enlist little ones in the holiday’s rituals.