Happy Purim, Grover!

Toddler-PreS–This concise Sesame Street board book about Purim hits all of the highlights of the holiday with minimal explanation. In one sentence per page, Grover takes readers through all of the main traditions, from baking hamantaschen to dressing up, to delivering gift baskets and reading the Megillah, which tells the story of Queen Esther. Each action is described in a single declarative sentence without elaborating, such as Megillah, grogger, or hamantaschen. Nor is there any context for why one dresses up or makes noise when one hears Haman’s name. Illustrations are primarily images of the Sesame Street characters on solid, brightly colored backgrounds; they appear to be digital and have a slick commercial but reassuringly familiar look. The scene with the Megillah includes accurately depicted Hebrew text of the scroll of Esther. With no back matter or other information about the holiday, this book will not be useful to those unfamiliar with it. However, Jewish families and teachers will find this an accessible introduction to the traditions of the holiday.