More Than Enough

December 7, 2015
No Passover seder is complete without a rousing rendition of “Dayenu” (“It would have been enough”), a song of gratitude for everything God did in redeeming the Israelites from slavery. Wayland (New Year at the Pier) and Kath (Penelope Perfect) give “Dayenu” an even broader meaning, explaining the song as “a reminder to be aware of and grateful for the blessings in each moment.” Accordingly, as one family prepares for and celebrates Passover, “Dayenu” becomes a way of marking each step and giving it a heightened significance. There’s shopping in a bountiful farmers’ market (“We wander the market surrounded by colors—dayenu”); making charoset together (“We chop apples and walnuts and mix in the grape juice—dayenu”); and the seder itself, with all its rituals and delicious food (“There are matzoh balls, chicken, and jellied fruit slices—dayenu”). Kath’s scenes of Jewish home life exude an easygoing buoyancy and warmth, with just enough humor and detail to make readers eager to find their own “Dayenu” moments. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Marietta Zacker, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Associates.

February 1, 2016
A modern family enjoys every part of the Passover festival. Buying apples and walnuts and more at an outdoor farmers market is already sufficient to make the holiday a success. Adopting a kitten and running home in the gentle rain, making the charoset together, dressing up in special clothes, and going across the way to Nana's house would also be enough. When they gather with family and friends, presenting the symbolic Seder plate, asking the four questions, eating delicious foods, searching for and finding the hidden matzo, singing and "baa"ing to "Chad Gadya," and opening the door for Elijah, it is so much more than enough to make a special memory. Wayland employs flowing, descriptive language that sets each scene and captures the essence of the holiday. The text is set in the delightfully named Chaloops typeface, which nicely matches the exuberance of the tale. The expression "Dayenu," meaning "enough" or "sufficient," appears in large red letters at the end of each small episode and provides emphasis and continuity. (The cheerful, catchy song of the same name lists the horrific plagues visited on the Egyptians and indicates that the Jews would have been grateful for any one of them if it eased their way out of slavery.) Kath's fresh, perky watercolors perfectly match the joyous tone of the text. A delightful, modern take on an ancient tradition. (glossary, author's note) (Picture book. 3-7)

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April 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-There is a beloved Passover song with a chorus that repeats the Hebrew word dayenu, meaning "it would have been enough," in gratitude for the biblical Exodus. This picture book shines a spotlight on that attitude of gratitude, reminding us, as the author's note says, to be "aware of and grateful for the blessings in each moment." Readers follow a family getting ready for Passover and observe their thankfulness for the simple joys of visiting the market and experiencing the rain and the more unique blessings of adopting a kitten and joining Nana for the seder. Upbeat declarations are concise and rhythmic. Every page is capped by the word dayenu, which is set apart in a large red hand-written font for emphasis. The family's healthy awareness extends well before and after the holiday, and the story concludes with a cozy, postseder evening at Nana's. Like the text, the artwork is sweet, with a light touch. Cheerful scenes are full of gentle color and movement. The neighborhood market is hip and diverse, although the featured family is "traditional" (mom, dad, son, daughter) and white. Their dress style shows that the Jewish family is not Orthodox. While a glossary is included at the end and a small note defines dayenu on the dedication page, the seder plate, the afikomen hunt, the prophet Elijah, and other elements of the holiday are mentioned casually and without explanation. VERDICT A pleasant and extremely satisfying story for readers already familiar with Passover.-Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

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