One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe

Gr 9 Up–What happens when you put together an endless Seder, a talking (scape) goat, and one not-so-wise teen boy? A trip through 3000 years of Seders and a new appreciation of holiday and family. When the nameless main character’s youngest sibling throws an absolutely necessary piece of matzah into a time vortex, the family can’t end their Seder, per Jewish custom. Fortunately for everyone, a goat shows up and takes the teen on a trip through time, visiting relatives during significant Seders of their past, all the way back to the very first Seder. While delving into history, the teen learns about the importance of Seder to his family and the Jewish faith. He also sees himself with fresh eyes and realizes he has some wising up to do, particularly in trying to be more patient and kind to his younger siblings, and in interacting with his grandparents more, hopefully learning about their unique experiences. Detailed pen-and-ink illustrations of expressive characters create a homey, family atmosphere and a trippy jaunt through time. The text is thoughtfully placed, and explanations of Seder traditions are subtly sprinkled throughout, making this accessible for anyone interested in the Seder or in a trip through time and space.