Customer Reviews

Sammy Spider's First Haggadah (Passover)

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In this third Passover title added to Sammy Spider's First Passover and Sammy Spider's Passover Fun Book from the popular Sammy Spider series, Rouss tells the story of Passover and explains the holiday in terms that young children can understand. She includes little songs with melodies suggested by Sammy, such as singing "Make Room for Matzah" to the tune of "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Fill the Seder Plate" to the tune of "London Bridge" There is a checklist of what belongs on the seder table, illustrated with the objects named in the list. Then she has Sammy teach the answers to the four questions, in English, and the prayers over the candles, wine, matzah, bitter herbs and charoset, in English and Hebrew, with the transliteration for each. She provides parts for a reader and chorus to tell the story of Moses and Passover at the Seder. The book ends with the search for the Afikomen; an original little song called "Crunch Goes the Matzah" (sung to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel,") a blessing for after the meal, a brief explanation of Elijah's Cup with an accompanying song, and a transliterated Dayenu. No music notation is included for any of the songs. Kahn's vividly colored cut-paper illustrations add a lively touch to the informative, young child-appropriate text. The author explains the ten plagues as "ten bad things made by God to change Pharaoh's mind about letting the Jewish people leave." She includes text and illustrations for four of the plagues: frogs, lice, wheat-eating locusts, and darkness, but does not explain the last plague - killing the first-born- in deference to book's young audience. This would be excellent to use at a family Seder with young children, and at model Seders for the youngest classes at school. For ages 3 - 6.

What a great Haggadah! It includes songs to sing based on familiar tunes and it has a reader and "chorus" part so my kids can read their part and the rest of the table can follow and do their part like a play reading -- it is just so different, yet appropriate.

In fact, all the books in this series are a refreshing take on the jewish holidays -- a complete collection is a must have!

We used this seder for our family this year, because we wanted to make it fun and meaningful for a "diverse" group-grandparents,parents and children ages-eight, five, 20 months and 2 months (of course the 2 month old was not an "issue" for this decision).The eight year old and five year old conducted most of the service and the adults were the "chorus." It was short enough for them to pay attention and easy to understand. We did need to add a couple of touches to make it a complete seder (like there was only mention of one cup of wine)-but I still highly recommend it for young famillies.

This wonderful Haggadah captivated our five and one half year old grand daughter, who wanted to read it again. It was also enjoyed by the parents, one of whom was raised in another faith. I must say we all enjoyed the story as presented in this Edition and it is beautifully illustrated as well. The songs(tunes) add a unique touch.
This Haggadah offers a refreshing modern approach to the Holiday which many of today's families will really enjoy.

I got this Hagaddah for the seder this year. The kids are age 2 and 1 is almost 5. The book touches on all of the major points of the seder in a fun way that keeps the kids interested, and more importantly, seated at the table. The songs are cute and clever, the pictures are colorful and descriptive and it made for a truly enjoyable seder. Can't wait to use it again next year!