Who Hid the Easter Eggs?

In this gentle story from Switzerland, bushy-tailed Harry the squirrel observes a grandmother's yearly tradition of hiding Easter eggs for her grandchildren. Peering at a delicately painted blue one, Harry sighs, "I've never seen anything so beautiful." But when Jack, a jackdaw, steals the Easter eggs and brings them to his nest, Harry explains that they are for the children and that Jack will have his own eggs soon. Vainio's plush animals and bold Easter eggs practically leap out from the bucolic springtime setting. Ages 3–up. (Jan.) Afikomen Mambo Joe Black, illus. by Linda Porter Kar-Ben, $17.95 (32p) ISBN 978-0-7613-5638-7; $7.95 paper ISBN 978-0-7613-5639-4 Singer/songwriter Rabbi Joe Black's second picture book focuses on the search for the afikomen after the Passover meal. "I'm gonna find it/ I'm gonna find it/ Gonna find the afikomen," reads the chorus, as family members search high and low for the hidden piece of matzo. Painted in warm, bright colors, Black's multiethnic cast exudes familial tenderness and cheer. A few rhymes are a bit of a stretch ("And when I find it I'll articulate/ the terms on which we shall negotiate"), but don't diminish the overall sense of fun. Includes audio CD. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)