Not Yet, Elijah!

While there is a dearth of popular picture book material for youngsters concerning Passover, this book will not add significantly to the genre. In verse more often forced than flowing, the story focuses on the impatient prophet Elijah who arrives too early during the traditional Passover Seder. As a girl and boy take part with their family in all the prescribed readings and prayers, the waiting Elijah pulls, combs, tugs, curls, twists and chews his whiskers while peering at them through the window. He is finally admitted through the open door to drink from his waiting cup, but readers will no longer care. This book fails to enhance or enlarge a child's understanding of the holiday; the black-and-white drawings are equally uninspired. Ages 2-9. (Apr.)