Meg Goldberg on Parade

PreS-Gr 1—Shy Meg Goldberg is so swept up by the Celebrate Israel Parade that she imagines herself becoming a central part of the fun, walking with the mayor, folk-dancing, leading camels, and even playing the Israeli national anthem on bagpipes! In a triumphal conclusion, she is crowned grand marshal in appreciation for her indispensable role. That evening, she falls asleep happily recalling all the excitement, while her tired mother is surprised by the gold crown that mysteriously appears on the seat of her armchair. The playful collage art is engaging, and children will enjoy noticing various background details. The story itself is slim, however, and some of the rhyming couplets are awkward. Meg is introduced as "timid and small," but about halfway through the story is "growing a little bit brave." So it is unsatisfying to realize that there is no clear sign of character development by the end. A glossary explains vocabulary words that may be unfamiliar to young or non-Jewish readers, and an author's note explains that the parade is real and has taken place annually in New York City since 1964. While the book may be entertaining to children who have attended the actual event, there is not enough substance for it to appeal to a broad range of readers.