Afikomen

This wordless paneled story by Cohen opens at the moment when the leader of a big seder breaks the middle matzo—the afikomen—and puts half of it in a bag, intending to hide it for the seder’s young participants to find. But when the pet dog takes the bag and disappears under the tablecloth, a trio of kids follow and find themselves transported to biblical times. They watch as two figures—whom readers may peg as Moses’s mother and his sister, Miriam—launch the basket containing the future leader into the Nile, depicted in deep blue swirls and striations. At the behest of a grateful Miriam, the children next provide a riverbank escort for the basket, rescuing it from hazards and ensuring that Moses is found by Pharaoh’s daughter. Even readers unfamiliar with the tale will find themselves drawn in by Eshet’s lyrical ink and watercolor drawings, and the soulful-eyed characters, portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note concludes. Ages 3–6. (Mar.)