Yay! It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday!
I know. I said no regular posts until the Valentiny Contest was complete. But I had to do this one 😊
For those of you waiting anxiously, the Valentiny Finalists will be posted tomorrow. I was going to do it today, but then it turned out to be a Friday I had promised a review, so tomorrow it will be! 😊
Meanwhile, take a look at this delightful book!
Title: Afikoman, Where’d You Go?: A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure
Written By: Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated By: Noa Kelner
Publisher: Penguin Random House/Rocky Pond Books, February 20, 2024
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Jewish traditions and holidays (Passover), interactive seek-and-find, pure fun!
text copyright Rebecca Gardyn Levington 2024, illustration copyright Noa Kelner 2023, Rocky Pond Books
Opening:
“Have you seen the Afikoman?
He’s a silly, sneaky guy.
But together, we will find him.
We can do this – you and I!”
text copyright Rebecca Gardyn Levington 2024, illustration copyright Noa Kelner 2023, Rocky Pond Books
Brief Synopsis: Ask any Jewish child what their favorite part of the Passover seder is and they will undoubtedly say “searching for the afikoman!” This ritual, in which a piece of broken matzah is hidden for the kids to find after the meal, is always a huge hit.
AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? brings this Passover tradition to life — literally. It is Where’s Waldo meets The Gingerbread Man — a fast-paced hide-and-seek romp, starring a silly, sneaky piece of matzah on the run and a group of kids who will not quit until he’s brought back to the seder table.
Readers are invited to join the hunt by helping the narrator and her family find the clever Afikoman hiding in the illustrations on each page. The book is sprinkled with Hebrew words and includes a glossary where readers can learn more about this fun Jewish tradition.
text copyright Rebecca Gardyn Levington 2024, illustration copyright Noa Kelner 2023, Rocky Pond Books
Links To Resources: Typically, before the afikoman is hidden at the seder, it is either wrapped in a cloth napkin or it is placed inside a specially decorated pouch. Many kids choose make their own pouch to be used with their families on Passover. Want to create your own? Here’s a link to how to make one by cutting up a regular paper grocery bag: https://www.makeitjewish.com/blog/afikomen-bag-made-with-grocery-bag. And here’s another that uses felt: https://www.ourhappytribe.net/home/diy-afikomen-bag.
text copyright Rebecca Gardyn Levington 2024, illustration copyright Noa Kelner 2023, Rocky Pond Books
Why I Like This Book: A high-spirited family embraces the traditions of Seder, searching high and low for the Afikoman – the piece of matzoh that is hidden as part of the Passover ceremony. The story, written in fun-to-read-aloud rhyme, follows the children on their hunt. The art depicts a diverse family gathered around their Seder dinner and the excited, happy children searching for the Afikoman which is, in fact, hidden somewhere on every page! The art is busy enough that young readers will have to look hard to find it on many of the pages. The feeling of family togetherness and beloved tradition comes through from cover to cover, and the story is at once educational (for anyone who may be unfamiliar with the Seder tradition) and loads of seek-and-find fun! This is a book every young reader will enjoy! Includes a helpful glossary of terms.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! And tune in tomorrow for the Valentiny Finalists! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
How clever! I love this idea and find myself staring at the pages trying to find the afikoman when I don’t really know what it looks like! lol So I’ve not been successful so far. I’ve attended an educational Seder before (teaching non-Jewish people about the elements of a Seder and their meaning), but it didn’t include information about the afikomen.
I learned about the afikoman from All Of A Kind Family, Brenda 😊 And I have to admit, I have not found it on all the pages in this book!
I found Afikoman in two of the pictures and the cover. Such a clever idea and a great way to introduce kids and others to Seder traditions. Bravo Rebecca. Great activities Susanna.
Isn’t it fun, Maria?! And you can thank Rebecca for the activities – she provided them! 😊
Kudos to the person who could host such a large Seder! The children engaged, having so much fun, is the perfect hook. Passover is right around the corner, five packs of matzahs on sale now in all the grocery stores. Perfect timing. A wonderful book to bring to any Seder. Chag Sameach!
Yes, it really is just right, Robin! I haven’t seen the matzah in stores yet, but I’m sure you’re right that it’s there!
A perfect present to bring to a Passover Seder.
Yes, Patricia! It will make a great gift and a fun read!
I am delighted to see this information and fun out in the world for all to appreciate and enjoy. Great book!
I love the combination of story and seek-and-find, Robin – so engaging for kids!
This looks like a great book! So much excitement going on! I love it!
This is such a fun and creative way to get children excited about celebrating passover. Very cool!
Besides the great story, rhythmic rhyme, and fun illustrations, the hide-and-seek feature is perfect to promote re-readability. Way to go, Rebecca! And thank you for sharing AFIKOMAN, Susanna… I have yet to get my hands on a hard copy of the book and now understand what all the hype is about!!!
Where’s Waldo + Gingerbread Man = captures the essence. 3 Cheers, Rebecca, for this cute book!
Wow Rebecca, this certainly is an engaging book! It is the type of PB that will be read and reread! Thank you for sharing AFIKOMAN, Susanna! 😊
And what a perfect choice this is!!! RGL is the RBG of rhyming picture books!!! Ha!!
Perfectly said, Jilanne! Looking forward to reading this to my grandkids at my seder!
Congrats, Rebecca! Another great title, with lots of fun text and illustrations to match!
This looks amazing! Just requested from the library!
Interactive stories are so much fun! Great way to engage the readers! Very fun!