Afikomen Mambo

April 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-Finding the afikomen (the hidden matzah) is a favorite custom during the Jewish holiday of Passover. Black's playful song "Afikomen Mambo" is presented here as an illustrated book-and-CD combo. The music uses a Latin beat to add to the fun of the search, and listeners will want to get up and dance. The bright watercolor illustrations of a multiracial family are lively and a good match for the upbeat song. It must be noted, however, that the lyrics scan awkwardly and do not stand alone without the music. In addition, the pictures confuse the order of events somewhat by showing one child having found the afikomen and then all of the youngsters returning to the hunt; this coincides with the repetition of the chorus at the end of the song ("I'm gonna find it") but makes for a somewhat anticlimactic ending. Despite these quibbles, this kid-friendly book and CD will be popular with children, parents, and educators who are familiar with Passover vocabulary and customs.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
"I'm gonna find it, I'm gonna find it," a group of multicultural children (shown in cheery but static illustrations) chant as they enthusiastically try to locate the hidden Passover matzah, or afikomen. Once it's uncovered, they will "articulate the terms on which we shall negotiate." The included CD, featuring a performance by author/songwriter/rabbi Black, helps smooth out the text's bumpy rhythms.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)