When Linda Marshall was a girl she enjoyed riding horses, exploring swamps and caves. She also enjoyed fishing and playing in the mud. At that time a lot of people didn't consider those things to be what a girl should be doing. She also loved words at a very young. Family legend had it that she spoke in full sentences at one year old. Source: Lindamarshall.com "Passover commemorates the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery [and it] is a time of family togetherness. . ." Source: The book's front flap. This is the engaging story of what a little girl did when it was time seder, but the baby lamb who has been rejected by his mother, and depended on her to feed him.

When Miriam's father decides that they must stay home to care for the lamb, it's up to Miriam to think of a clever and—hilariously fitting—way to rescue both the baby lamb and her family's holiday.

Little Miriam is excited for the Passover seder to begin at her grandparents' house. It's her first year to to sing the Four Questions at the seder. Before her family can leave the farm, all the chores must be done, and Miriam discovers that something is wrong with one of the sheep. Though it's late in the season, new lambs are soon born. Unfortunately, one of the newborns is left lying all alone in the hay. It looks like Miriam's family will have to stay at home, until Miriam hatches a clever plan.

The Bottom Line: Illustrated with soft watercolors, this sweet tale was inspired by a true event. Check out this gentle story to read with your little ones.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

Nice little story inspired by the author's own life about a little girl who takes care of a newborn lamb on a very important Passover holiday with her family. Includes an author's note on the endpages about the true story. ( )

I liked this book for two reasons. First, the author’s writing is engaging. On the first page, the author begins the story by having the main character state, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” This question intrigues the reader from the very beginning of the story. I wanted to keep reading to find out the answer. I also liked how the author immediately defined terms in the book that the reader may not be familiar with. For example, the author states “Tonight at her grandparents’ house, she would sing the Four Questions at the Seder, the special Passover meal.” In this sentence, the author explains what the Seder is which allows the reader to quickly understand the concept and continue reading the story rather than have to pause and go digging for an explanation of what the Seder is. The second reason I enjoyed this book is because of its suspenseful plot. One page reads, “They all came running when she called. Except for one…” and the reader must turn the page to find out why one sheep did not come running with the rest. Lastly, I liked this book because it is informational but in a very subtle way. On one occasion in the story, the main character explains to the baby lamb what she plans on discussing when she visits her grandparents for Passover. Through this, a young reader would learn about Passover without even realizing because the information is portrayed discreetly within the context of the story. The big idea of this book is to inform readers about Passover as well as to teach children to be loving and caring beings, particularly toward animals. ( )