The Four Questions

By Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Book Overview

Why is this night different from all other nights?

Every year when families gather for the Passover holiday, the youngest child poses that question as part of the poetic Four Questions near the start of the Seder. The answers are no less than the story of a people bound in slavery, their suffering in a foreign land, and their ultimate liberation - the story of Passover.

Here the Four Questions are presented in breathtakingly luminous paintings by Ori Sherman. Whimsical animals parade through a unique format that can be read straight through in English or turned upside down to focus on the delicate Hebrew calligraphy and ingenious split-frame pictures. Each side of the Seder table can see its own variation of the richly colored scenes as elephants eat matzoh, monkeys dip herbs into water, and lions recline in newfound freedom. Author Lynne Sharon Schwartz answers the questions with refreshing clarity, providing insight into the symbols and rituals of the holiday.

Experience a glorious art book, a beautiful gift for the kids who find the afikomen, and a wonderful way to experience Passover and its unique celebration of freedom.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1646140362
• ISBN13: 9781646140367
• Release Date: January 2021
• Publisher: Levine Querido
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 11.1" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Beautiful Illustrations, Forthright Text

The "Four Questions" are always asked of the youngest verbal boy-child at Jewish Passover celebrations; they express the central points of Jewish self-esteem and teach the virtues of charity and respect for human rights that have become the ideals of American Jews. Novelist Lynne Sharon Schwartz tells the story of the escape from slavery in Egypt, the background of the Four Questions, in simple forthright language without any trace of self-righteousness or sanctimony; this is a version of the Passover text that Christian children will be able to appreciate without embarrassment. But the glory of this book shines in the full-page art works by Ori Sherman that match the text. Sherman uses animal figures in human postures and clothing - unfortunately an outrage to some orthodox Jews - to universalize the "seder" meal and the symbols of Judaism with utmost gentility and grace. More than mere illustraions for a kid's book, Sherman's paintings are works of high art; I've seen the originals and I'd be very proud if I'd had the sense to buy one before Sherman's untimely early death. There is also a companion book in the same format - "The Story of Hanukkah" - with text by Amy Ehrlich and more glorious illustrations by Sherman, vivid colors capturing vivid feelings of joy and awe. Not only Jewish children but children of any faith, as well as parents like myself of skeptical bent, will respond to these two books. Hardly any memories of my life are dearer to me than reading aloud to my son, who was born too late to know my friend Ori Sherman but who has kept his two books when many others have been given away.

Excellent

This book does an excellent job of telling the story of Passover for young childen. Illustrations are lovely. Most aspects of the sedar are covered: the Four Questions, the meaning of special foods, etc. Our family uses it as a Hagaddah when there are small children attending, supplementing with traditional songs, etc.

Wonderful book!

This book has wonderful illustrations and a beautiful explanation of the four questions. It is a perfect gift book for Passover -- especially for friends with children or grandchildren.