REVIEW: PASSOVER & THE FIRST SEDER BEGIN TONIGHT

​When the pandemic of 2020 shut almost everything down, people’s lives were affected world-wide. Sheltering in place meant isolating away from relatives and friends which not only affected day-to-day living, but how people honored holiday traditions and celebrations. This picture book is about how a girl finds a new way to honor her Passover traditions that brings community together, despite being apart: 

TITLE: ALONE TOGETHER ON DAN STREET

AUTHOR: Erica Lyons

ILLUSTRATOR: Jen Jamieson

PUBLISHER: Apples & Honey Press/2022

OPENING LINES: 
 
It was the year the singing stopped.
The streets across Jerusalem were silent.
The Western Wall plaza was empty.
The shops on Jaffa Road were shuttered.

This is the heartwarming story of Mira, who lives in an apartment building in Jerusalem when a virus breakout causes a shut-down. Mira watches the seasons go by from her apartment balcony, missing school, playdates, synagogue, and, her favorite, art class. When Passover approaches, she begins to think about all the others on her street who will be alone during the holiday, and finds a way for no one to feel lonely, even though they are apart. Erica Lyons’ emotional text paired with Jen Jamieson’s charming illustrations will tug on your heartstrings. Young readers of today will identify with Mia’s sense of loss and loneliness brought on by the pandemic, but readers of tomorrow will have a clearer understanding of what it was like to live through a global shut-down. Through a specific setting, holiday, and event, this book addresses general themes of loneliness, community, kindness, and generosity that will have a broad appeal to all readers. Lovely read!
 
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