Reading Nook: Passover Book Picks

Families throughout Berkley and Huntington Woods are celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the escape of ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Passover began earlier this week, when many Jewish families gathered for a traditional meal called a Seder. During Passover, leavened foods are banned, in honor of Hebrew slaves who fled Egypt in such a hurry that their bread did not have time to rise.

The holiday continues next week, so Director Celia Morse and children's librarian Karen Tower suggested several titles that explain the celebration.

Children's books

• Passover by David F. Marx, 2001: Beginning readers can learn about the Passover Seder, the special meal shared by family and friends, in this brief explanation of the holiday.
• Celebrate Passover by Deborah Heiligman, 2006: From Israel to America to China, National Geographic photography shows how families around the world celebrate Passover.
• Passover: Celebrating Now, Remembering Then by Harriet Ziefert, 2010: The story of Passover (now) is told on the left side of the book and the equisite paintings by Karla Gudeon illustrate the past (then) in foldout pages on the right.

Adults' books

• The New York Times Passover Cookbook by Linda Amster, 1999: 175 recipes and essays that explain the traditions and culture associated with Passover.
• Passover: The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration by Dr. Ron Wolfson, 2003: An inspiring and practical how-to guide that explains all the vital information that you need to fully honor – and to fully enjoy – this sacred celebration.