Had Gadya/The Only Kid: Facsimile of El Lissitsky's Edition of 1919, edited by Arnold J. Band, contains just what the title promises: the folksong "Had Gadya," which is traditionally sung at Ashkenazic seders, and the illustrated book that the Russian avant-garde artist El Lissitsky (1890—1941) made of it in 1919. Although the song is usually a hit with children, the book—packaged elegantly, accompanied by annotated thumbnail illustrations and a scholarly yet clear introduction about the Jewish cultural renaissance in Russia between 1912 and the early 1920s and its impact on Lissitsky—will probably be of most interest to admirers of Lissitsky's more mature work, who will be startled by the contrast in theme and style. (Getty Research Institute, $24.95 paper 42p all ages ISBN 0-89236-744-X; Apr.)
A companion to It's Challah Time! and It's Sukkah Time!, It's Seder Time! by Latifa Berry Kropf, photos by Tod Cohen, uses large photos to follow along as a preschool class makes matzoh and charoset, conducts a seder and acts out the story of Passover. Endnotes explain the traditional rituals as well as some modern innovations (e.g., setting out a cup of water on the seder table to honor Miriam, Moses's sister). (Lerner/Kar-Ben, $12.95 24p ages 2-6 ISBN 1-58013-092-5; Feb.)
With recipes like those for Baby Moses Salad (which uses a lettuce leaf for the basket, a fresh or canned peach half for the body and a large marshmallow for the head) and Chicken Soup for Beginners (aspiring cooks dissolve chicken bouillon cubes in boiling water and add carrots, celery stalks and dried dill), the "stay-flat" paperback Matzah Meals: A Passover Cookbook for Kids by Judy Tabs and Barbara Steinberg, illus. by Bill Hauser, won't give Martha Stewart any new headaches. Kids might like the tips for decorating the seder table, especially the crafts for bringing the 10 plagues to life ("Hail: Styrofoam packing pellets work great"). (Lerner/Kar-Ben, $7.95 paper 64p ages 5-up ISBN 1-58013-086-0; Feb.)
