Asteroid Goldberg: Passover in Outer Space

by Brianna Caplan Sayres, Merrill Rainey (Illustrator)

An out-of-this-word Passover fantasy!

When Asteroid Goldberg and her parents get stuck in outer space for Passover, Asteroid plans a Passover seder for herself and her family that is truly out-of-this-world! With Jupiter’s moons for matzoh balls and the Big Dipper for a ladle, you’ve never seen a Passover seder like this one. A celebration of Jewish creativity and mighty Jewish girls!

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Jewish, Religion, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2020

About the author

Brianna Caplan Sayres used to tell her second graders, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a writer." "But you are grown up, Mrs. Sayres," her students would protest. Well, Brianna is still not sure she's grown up, but she has grown into a writer. Her debut picture book, "Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?" was published by Random House, and her upcoming picture book, "Tiara Saurus Rex," will soon be published by Bloomsbury. Brianna has recently returned to her hometown, Seattle, Washington, where she and her husband are kept busy by their two wonderful boys. You can visit Brianna on the web at www.briannacaplansayres.com or at facebook.com/authorbrianna.

Reviews

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun cute little comedy adventure for kids. I’ve celebrated Passover with a few different loved ones over the years (I am not in any way Jewish) so have a solid basic understanding of the holiday but wish this one had been a bit more educational. Definitely recommended for young Jewish children.

[Alyse Liebovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this did not exist when I was a kid! I can't explain how exciting this was to see as a Jewish adult in the year 2020. An adorable, rhyming read about Passover, great for read-alouds. I read this out loud to my mom while we sat in adjacent cars in a parking lot (#thankscovid) eating falafel (I know that sounds like a stereotype, but it's true), and we were cracking up.

Also, the publishing company is Intergalactic Afikomen, which I have already filed into "Band names I wish I would have come up with." So great.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and wonderful story for all children sharing the Jewish tradition of Passover in a quirky and fantastical way. Published by a new Jewish press, its children’s books are created by Jewish people and present their culture for young children with humor and accuracy to tradition. In Sayres’ book, Asteroid Goldberg and her family find themselves in outer space during Passover. What do they do? Sayres explains Passover while substituting traditional things like matzoh balls for the moons around Jupiter. Bright and colorful illustrations accompany the text, and a glossary of terms and site for reference to Seder is included in the back. Highly recommended.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passover.... in Space! It is so appropriate that the book is published by Intergalactic Afikoman/ Whe the spaceport is too crowded and the Goldbergs can't land in time to return home for Passover, they hold the seder in their rocket ship. The clever rhyming story uses space fixtures like planets and moons to create the standard passover foods. This would make a clever addition to a Passover storytime.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very young children would enjoy this book, but I think kids over age 6 might find the fanciful outer space Seder to be far too unrealistic to make this a success for them. The story is told in rhyme, which I usually love, but at times the rhythm is off which ruins the whole rhyming thing for me. The illustrations are fun, not overall I found this a disappointment.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I don't think I ever would've thought to combine a space book with a Passover book, but it was fun enough. A bit "out there" (yes I am a nerd) but fun.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a family gets stranded in outer space, they plan an outer space Seder for Passover.
Great illustrations.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This plays with traditions in such a fun way, emphasizing both creativity and the key parts of Passover, how people bend and shape traditions to make sense in their contexts.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly book about holding Passover in space. Rhyming text. Envisions using bites of planets as some of the food and leaving the hatch open for Elijah.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Passover in space

[Lynne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun intergalactic spin on Passover!

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a signed ARC from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2020.