From Booklist
K-Gr. 3. With an exuberant traditional shtetl setting showing two children and their family preparing for the Passover seder, Chwast illustrates the folksong that ends the celebration feast. As in much folklore, the drama is violent: the goat is killed by the cat that is bitten by the dog, and so on, until God finally destroys the Angel of Death. In a final note, a rabbi discusses differing interpretations of the song; some commentators accept it as light and fun, while others object to the cycle of horror it portrays or consider it a representation of the Jewish people's triumph over their enemies. The bright, acrylic folk-art paintings express the rhythm of the chant, as the goat and then the other characters are gathered, in appropriately cumulative fashion, across the top of the double-page spreads. The book, complete with musical notation and Hebrew and English words, is bound to add to the pleasure of the seder even as it provokes some lively arguments. Abby Levine's picture book This Is the Matzah, reviewed on p.1084, provides a wider perspective on the holiday. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Every Passover Seder ends with a rousing version of Had Gadya, the most loved Passover song. Noted graphic artist Seymour Chwast creates a visual story-within-a-story, in a timeless village where everyone is busy preparing for the holiday. With an Afterword by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld on the history and symbolism of the song, this book enriches the Passover experience for young and old.



About the Author
Seymour Chwast is cofounder of the Push Pin Studios and a member of the Art Directors Hall of Fame. His work appears in major museaums throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He lives in New York City.
Rabbi Michael Strassfeld is the rabbi of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism and co-author of the classic The Jewish Catalog. He lives in New York City.



Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
An onlu goat, and only goat/My father bought for two zuzim./Had Gadya, had gadya.

ANNOTATION

An illustrated, bilingual version of this cumulative folk song that is sung at the end of the Passover Seder. Includes a background note on the history and symbolism of the song.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Every Passover Seder ends with a rousing version of Had Gadya, the most loved Passover song. Noted graphic artist Seymour Chwast creates a visual story-within-a-story, in a timeless village where everyone is busy preparing for the holiday. With an Afterword by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld on the history and symbolism of the song, this book enriches the Passover experience for young and old.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

As the dishes are cleared and the Passover Seder begins to wind down, many families end their celebration with the rousing traditional folk song "Had Gadya." In his picture-book interpretation, Chwast (The 12 Circus Rings) employs a breezy, slightly chunky folk-art style to depict the song's action in a bustling, Old-World setting. The verses tell the story of how a goat kicks off a chain of events that ends with a visit from God himself. "An only goat,/ an only goat/ My father bought/ for two zuzim," begin the lyrics. Before long, a dog and cat join the fray and a fire ensues. When an ox starts more trouble, a butcher, an angel of death and God are added to the mix. The cumulative style holds particular appeal for children who are likely to enjoy guessing who or what comes next, and mastering the order of the lyrics. Adults may well find deeper meaning in the song's circle-of-life symbolism. As the story progresses Chwast's kindly-looking villagers-rendered in a cheery palette of acrylics-lay in supplies and prepare for the Seder. Strassfeld's afterword discusses the history and meanings of the song, and additional lyrics in Aramaic, as well as a printed musical arrangement are included so that families may enjoy this version at home. All ages. (Mar.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Acrylic paintings in a childlike folk-art style play out this traditional song that is sung at the end of the Passover Seder. Chwast's illustrations of a peasant farm show spring hay and egg gathering; women washing clothes in a stream; children playing; matzoh baking; candle lighting; and, finally, the family seated for the Seder meal. The characters mentioned in the song appear one after another in a white border at the top of each spread, until all of them are shown together. Had Gadya (one goat) is a cumulative, seemingly nonsensical song that tells of a goat, which is eaten by a cat, which is bitten by a dog, which is chased by a stick that is burned by fire, and so on. The song ends on a serious note with the appearance of the Angel of Death, who kills the butcher and then is destroyed by God. Herein lies a problem with this presentation. The simple picture-book format has the appearance of a preschool story, but the visualization of the ending (a scary Angel of Death that appears on two pages) makes it inappropriate for young children. Older children will be put off by the simple format. A two-page endnote by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, geared to adults, explains the song's history and possible meanings. Music and words in transliterated Aramaic are appended.-Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews