The Hungry Haggadah

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Hungry Haggadah cover color proof
I’m pleased to announce the publication of The Hungry Haggadah: A Passover Story in Rhyme, written by Lawrence Bush, editor of Jewish Currents Magazine, illustrated and designed by me – to be published next week by Blue Thread.

This book grew out of my working relationship with Larry Bush.  For the past two years, I’ve worked part-time at Jewish Currents doing office work, fundraising, and graphic design.  Jewish Currents is a secular Jewish magazine with deep roots in social justice and the labor movement of 1950s New York.  You can read about Jewish Currents’ mission here.  Larry is a brilliant and prolific editor, producing a quarterly magazine, a daily “Jewdayo” column (check it out!), and several books per year through Jewish Currents’ publishing imprint, Blue Thread Books & Music.

So when Larry showed me his delightful rhyming version of the story of Exodus, cleverly framed in a progressive Jewish family’s Passover seder (with a curious guest), I wanted to illustrate it right away.  What you see here is a boy whose stomach languishes as Moses takes forever to lead the Israelites across the Red Sea – to dinner on the other side.  Light-humored and full of Jewish nuance, this book is as much for adults as children.  The story begins:

Hungry Haggadah opening illoA FAMILY DINNER?  What’s the big deal?
Let’s skip all the talking and get to the meal!
It’s Passover – why not pass over the chatter?
And pass out the matzo balls! Hey! What’s the matter?

. . . and goes on from there.  If you’ve ever sat hungrily through a Passover seder, the child in you (and those in your family) will chuckle through this entertaining book.

I painted the interior illustrations in just one color – a refreshing change for me.  This really was a fun project!

Click here to order The Hungry Haggadah in advance at a reduced price of $9.95.  If you want multiple copies for your Passover seder, a set of five books is just $40.  The books will ship after March 21st.

As always, thank you for your interest in my books and art!

 

D Yael Bernhard
http://dyaelbernhard.com

Author / Illustrator of
THE HUNGRY HAGGADAH: A Passover Story in Rhyme
THE JEWISH EYE – 2016 /5776 calendar of art
JUST LIKE ME, CLIMBING A TREE: Exploring Trees Around the World
NEVER SAY A MEAN WORD AGAIN – A Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review;
winner of the Sydney Taylor Award and National Jewish Book Council Award
THE DREIDEL THAT WOULDN’T SPIN – A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah
WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING – A Children’s Book Council Notable Book
GREEN BIBLE STORIES FOR CHILDREN – Nat’l Green Book Festival Notable Book
A RIDE ON MOTHER’S BACK – An American Bookseller Assoc. Pick of the List
– and more!
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