By Marla Cohen

If you’re in the market for a “hostess” (ok, ok, or host) gift to bring with you to the seder you’ve been invited, or something to enhance your own seder table or your family’s Passover experience, here are a few ideas:

Plague masks or a bag of plagues or finger puppets (shown in main image) are great visual aides to help even the youngest at the table understand the Passover story.

Welcome to the Seder by Rabbi Kerry Olitzy is a newcomer to the world of Haggadot. Written mostly in English, it is published by Behrman House as is the Family and Frog Haggadah, designed to keep the kids entertained and busy with a “hoppy” time.

Speaking of the Haggadah, perennial favorites The Family Haggadah I and II by Shoshana Silber is the perfect mix between traditional and modern. For the more traditional, Different Night (Haggadahs R Us) includes full traditional Hebrew text with modern English commentaries. 

Several new children’s books from KarBen Publishing help children learn about Pesach, including The Matza Belowstairs, a charming tale of Miriam Mouse’s Seder, and A Seder for Grover featuring Big Bird and Moishe Oofnik.

It wouldn’t be Pesach if we left out cookbooks. Some good choices are A Taste For Pesach I and II (Mesorah) and The New Passover Cookbook (Paula Shoyer).

Chag Sameach! 

Marla Cohen is manager of The Judaica Store at Bishop’s Corner in West Hartford. The Judaic Store, which will soon close for business, is currently offering a final, going-out of business/retirement sale.