Make a Wish Molly

A worthy companion to Cohen's Molly's Pilgrim , this equally affecting tale follows Molly, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, as she discovers another tradition observed in her adopted American homeland. Here, Molly attends her first birthday party. Entranced by her friend Emma's cake, which is decorated with pink icing and red roses, Molly imagines it must taste ``like clouds.'' But she doesn't get the chance to find out: because it is Passover, her mother has forbidden her to partake of the party fare. Cruelly taunted by her classmate Elizabeth, Molly leaves the party early. Running home, she tearfully asks her mother, ``Why do we have to be different? Why can't we be like everyone else?'' But when Emma, Elizabeth and another girl come to visit on Molly's own birthday, her wise mother demonstrates that being a bit different is just fine as she stages an impromptu party and serves homemade rugelach in place of a ``pink cloud cake.'' Jones's effectively shaded black-and-white illustrations ably convey the emotional depth of this commanding story, as well as the strength of the bond between Molly and her mother. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)