Afikotective

A charming romp to share in anticipation of Passover preparations.

After a bear family assembles the ingredients for a seder plate, the cub narrator of this celebratory title dons not a traditional yarmulke, but rather a Sherlock Holmes-esque deerstalker cap--all the better to solve the mystery of where Grandma has hidden the afikomen. To ensure success, the cub has invented an "Afiko-Sniffer" from a beloved elephant stuffy named Elfie, which is mounted on a wheeled platform pulled by a red string. Hoffman chronicles the duo's hunt around the house with cozy, collage-style artwork that features crayon and paper textures, and paper cutouts that lend a 3-D feel. But before a big, cursive "Yay" heralds the quest's success, Elfie sniffs out an array of other seder meal ingredients, prompting a refrain of "Oh no!" and a brief explanation of the ingredient's role ("That's an egg--like the egg we put on our seder plate"). It's a friendly, and instructive, holiday affair. An author's note concludes. Ages 2-7. (Jan.)

PreS-K--This Passover-meets-detective story doesn't reach its potential. The unnamed first-person narrator, a personified and fully dressed little bear, explains how the family is preparing for Passover. They make and gather all of the items for the seder plate. Skipping entirely over the ceremonial meal, the story jumps to after dinner when the narrator (wearing a deerstalker hat) searches for the missing matzah or "afikomen." Using their toy elephant, Elfie, who has been modified to be an "Afiko-Sniffer," they search unsuccessfully around the house, creating messes as they go. Deciding Elfie isn't working, they retrieve the toolbox to fix it, only to find the afikomen. Though uninspired, the spare and straightforward text is accessible to a young audience. The concept of the child using their toy to search is certainly appealing. The illustrations, which appear to be done in a layered 3D collage, are engaging and have the feel of a flannel board. While some of the bear family's eyes are somewhat disconcerting, the narrator is appealing, and the dimensionality of the illustrations give them an almost tactile feel. The story definitely has a childlike sensibility, but the lack of any explanation of the seder and the narrow focus on the afikomen leaves one with no sense of the experience or importance of the holiday. Back matter explains the afikomen, but also neglects the rest of the holiday. VERDICT Jewish schools and libraries in search of unusual Passover stories might find a place for this one. Others can pass.--Amy Lilien-Harper