Zayde Babysits Before Passover

PreS-Gr 2–Young-at-heart Zayde and his granddaughter Ruthie connect over a day of activities on Passover. Told in part through a to-do list, the story traces a day of activities for Ruthie and her grandfather. Zayde wears a hat decorated with matzah, rides in a shopping cart pushed by Ruthie as they shop for parsley for the seder plate, hides in a cupboard while cleaning up breadcrumbs, and joins Ruthie in eating a mountain of food to keep them full until a late dinner. Emphasizing the fun, Chappell’s playful illustrations sprinkle “Oy!” throughout Zayde’s high jinks. After completing the list left for them, Ruthie and Zayde join her parents and Bubbe, friends, and family for the seder. At the dinner, Ruthie sings “Dayenu” and enjoys matzah ball soup—a reflection of how traditions are passed from one generation to the next.