03/13/2023
With Passover on the way, young Captain Drew, who reads as white, and a pirate crew portrayed with varied skin tones, are getting ready. Around the ship, they engage in a thorough cleaning, the removal of the chametz (leavened bread), and the creation of a seder plate. Just as the shipboard seder gets underway, though, a massive storm hits the deck (“Matzah balls began rolling along the ship’s plank./ Into the ocean they rolled. Then they sank”), and the ship runs aground. But Captain Drew knows that, on Passover, every home opens its doors to all who are hungry, and the crew is readily welcomed into a large gathering at a beachside house (Bernie, Captain Drew’s parrot, squawks the Four Questions). Press’s premise is whimsical, while round-headed, bright-eyed characters from Gulliver appear thoroughly earnest, impressing upon readers how observance and tradition persist no matter the circumstances. Ages 3–8. (Feb.)
03/01/2023
PreS-Gr 1—This attempt to combine the appeal of pirates with the events of a seder falls flat. In concise, forced rhyme that doesn't always scan, Captain Drew calls the pirate crew to prepare for Passover. No sooner are they seated for the seder than a storm hits, and the ship runs aground. Conveniently enough, a nearby house has its doors open, and they are welcomed in to celebrate the seder. There is very little story here. The preparations, along with the seder itself, are covered, though the Exodus story is limited to the line "the story was told/ of the Jews leaving Egypt on their trek brave and bold." The elimination of the chametz (leavened bread) and the seder plate itself are depicted while still on the ship; the rest of the seder, from the kiddush (wine blessing) to the four questions to the afikomen are included on land. Characters are depicted with round heads and eyes and primarily appear to be white with curly hair, though there is one dark-skinned pirate. Illustrations are cartoonish with limited details. Full-bleed spreads, close-up images, and spot art move the story along and encourage page turns, but the attempt to capitalize on the appeal of pirates feels forced. VERDICT Pass on this uneven effort. The pirate aspect of the story is unnecessary to the plot, and while the Passover information is deployed effectively, it doesn't make up for the weak scansion and trite rhymes.—Amy Lilien-Harper
2022-11-16
Celebrating Passover, buccaneer style.
Capt. Drew and a racially diverse pirate crew are getting ready for Passover: swabbing the deck, polishing rails, raising sails, and getting rid of chametz—leavened foods—illustrated as those containing wheat plus other forbidden-during-Passover items such as what appear to be doughnuts, corn, and crackers. Drew explains that matzah will be eaten instead and prepares the seder plate with foods that serve a symbolic function at the festive dinner. All isn’t smooth sailing, however. A heavy storm arises as the crew sits down to eat. Heavy rain, high waves, lightning, and matzah balls rolling down the plank and sinking into the turbulent sea destroy any hope for a shipboard seder. When the ship washes ashore on a tropical isle, Captain Drew leads the crew to a house, where they’re welcomed to join the seder hosted by the family living there. All the traditional rituals are observed, and even Drew’s parrot, Bernie, participates. The evening ends pleasantly, with improved weather, and the pirates sail away on calm seas. This is a sweet, original take on the holiday, expressed in lilting rhymes that read and scan well. Children will enjoy the cheerful pirate theme, and Jewish youngsters who understand Passover rituals and traditions will appreciate the textual and depicted nods to recognizable customs. Illustrations are colorful and lively. Drew is light-skinned; the island family is tan-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An enjoyable treat for the holiday. Don’t pass this one over. (Picture book. 4-7)
