Part of the graphic novel series In the Footsteps, this book features brothers Shaya and Shimmy who are visited by a guide from the past during their Pesach seder and are taken through a series of Biblical events. The guide, Reuven, is an Israelite slave who invites them to come back in time with him and see the actual story for themselves. With permission from their father, they accompany Reuven back to Egypt where they observe the Israelites’ oppression and the evil of the Egyptians. Many midrashim are woven into the story, including the sextuplets born every time a woman gave birth, a malach (angel) protecting Moshe as he ran away, the fire in the hail, the sword breaking as it hit Moshe’s neck and others. Biblical terms are transliterated into Ashkenazi pronunciation. The illustrations are bright and inviting. All the Jewish boys and men have payus, the modern seder has men in shtreimels, and no women are sitting at the table. All the women, Moshe, and Aharon are portrayed from the back or at slight profile, but never from the front. However, the scenes are explicit and each plague comes to life through the illustrations.
This graphic novel is a fun way for children to read and learn about the Pesach story in a relatable way. Recommended for ages 6 – 12.
