For those who celebrate Easter (March 31 in 2024): Elijah’s Easter Suit by Brentom Jackson, illustrated by Emmanuel Boateng (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Every Easter, Reverend White gives a special “Hallelujah” to the congregant who’s got the most spectacular Easter outfit. Elijah’s determined to win, but the stores around town don’t have anything that looks just right. Feeling defeated, Elijah asks previous winners Mother Green and Deacon Brown for advice. They tell him that Easter’s not about winning a competition, but about new beginnings and remembering their culture. They share how when they were kids, they often wore homemade Easter outfits, not being allowed to shop in local stores. Inspired, Elijah makes an outfit from fabrics that have happy memories for him and wows the crowd on Easter morning with his colorful patchwork suit. Hallelujah!
Verdict: A definite winner with funny illustrations depicting Elijah in a variety of interesting outfits on his shopping spree, but also offering a heartwarming message about community and being true to yourself.
For those who celebrate Eid (on or around April 9 in 2024): The Most Exciting Eid by Zeba Talkhani, illustrated by Abeeha Tariq (Scholastic, 24 pages, ages 4-8). When they spot the new moon, Safa and her family start to get ready for Eid al-Fitr. Safa is excited to wear new clothes, get gifts, and get together with family. In the morning, all her wishes start to come true, and she enjoys her presents, especially a new bike. Her cousin Alissa wants a turn, but Safa doesn’t feel like sharing. Later, Safa’s mother takes her through the neighborhood to distribute gifts, and Safa realizes that sharing is one of the best parts of Eid. After a big dinner at the grandparents’, Safa is ready to go home and ride bikes with Alissa.
Verdict: A cute story that introduces several aspects of Eid, in what appears to be a Pakistani family. It definitely has a Scholastic book club vibe to it, and unfortunately, only seems to be available in paperback.
For those who celebrate Passover (April 22-April 30 in 2024): Afikoman, Where’d You Go? A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, illustrated by Noa Kelner (Rocky Pond Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Kids at a seder dinner search for the elusive afikoman through every room of the house and yard. Sharp-eyed readers will see the afikoman character hiding on every busy page. He’s finally caught, everyone gets a prize, and dinner continues, but the sneaky afikoman is seen riding away in one of the cars on the last page, wishing everyone, “Happy Pesach!”
Verdict: The bouncy rhyming text and Where’s Waldo style illustrations provide a lot of holiday fun, with details about Passover included in the glossary at the beginning, as well as being woven into the story and pictures. Spell check is telling me that the correct spelling is afikomen, but both the title and the glossary of this book use afikoman.