Had Gadya: A Passover Song ANNOTATION
An illustrated, bilingual version of this cumulative folk song that is sung at the end of the Passover Seder. Includes a background note on the history and symbolism of the song.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Every Passover Seder ends with a rousing version of Had Gadya, the most loved Passover song. Noted graphic artist Seymour Chwast creates a visual story-within-a-story, in a timeless village where everyone is busy preparing for the holiday. With an Afterword by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld on the history and symbolism of the song, this book enriches the Passover experience for young and old.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
As the dishes are cleared and the Passover Seder begins to wind down, many families end their celebration with the rousing traditional folk song "Had Gadya." In his picture-book interpretation, Chwast (The 12 Circus Rings) employs a breezy, slightly chunky folk-art style to depict the song's action in a bustling, Old-World setting. The verses tell the story of how a goat kicks off a chain of events that ends with a visit from God himself. "An only goat,/ an only goat/ My father bought/ for two zuzim," begin the lyrics. Before long, a dog and cat join the fray and a fire ensues. When an ox starts more trouble, a butcher, an angel of death and God are added to the mix. The cumulative style holds particular appeal for children who are likely to enjoy guessing who or what comes next, and mastering the order of the lyrics. Adults may well find deeper meaning in the song's circle-of-life symbolism. As the story progresses Chwast's kindly-looking villagers-rendered in a cheery palette of acrylics-lay in supplies and prepare for the Seder. Strassfeld's afterword discusses the history and meanings of the song, and additional lyrics in Aramaic, as well as a printed musical arrangement are included so that families may enjoy this version at home. All ages. (Mar.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-Acrylic paintings in a childlike folk-art style play out this traditional song that is sung at the end of the Passover Seder. Chwast's illustrations of a peasant farm show spring hay and egg gathering; women washing clothes in a stream; children playing; matzoh baking; candle lighting; and, finally, the family seated for the Seder meal. The characters mentioned in the song appear one after another in a white border at the top of each spread, until all of them are shown together. Had Gadya (one goat) is a cumulative, seemingly nonsensical song that tells of a goat, which is eaten by a cat, which is bitten by a dog, which is chased by a stick that is burned by fire, and so on. The song ends on a serious note with the appearance of the Angel of Death, who kills the butcher and then is destroyed by God. Herein lies a problem with this presentation. The simple picture-book format has the appearance of a preschool story, but the visualization of the ending (a scary Angel of Death that appears on two pages) makes it inappropriate for young children. Older children will be put off by the simple format. A two-page endnote by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, geared to adults, explains the song's history and possible meanings. Music and words in transliterated Aramaic are appended.-Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
"Had Gadya" or "One Little Goat" traditionally brings the annual Passover Seder to a close as families jubilantly sing each portion over and over again. Unlike the classic 1979 Marilyn Hirsh school-play version, Chwast illustrates the characters of the goat, cat, dog, stick, fire, water, ox, butcher, angel of death and God with an Eastern European folktale flavor, but almost ignores the cumulative repetition other than the traditional last line of "Had gadya," thus curtailing the fun of the lively vocal participation. He displays each addition at the top of the page, while scenes of a village life with holiday preparations are below in bright-colored acrylic, though unappealingly clotted, folk-art paintings. Backmatter includes the musical score and the original Aramaic version with suggestions for dramatic acting, as well as a good explanation by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld on the history and symbolic meaning of the song. (Picture book. 3-7)
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