The 2004 Easter & Passover Book Sense 76 Top Ten

Here are independent booksellers' picks for the Top Ten Easter and Passover titles for 2004. This list was developed by Book Sense in collaboration with the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading initiative, an ongoing project that will continue through 2004.

Many thanks to all the independent booksellers who contributed a wealth of enthusiastic nominations for this list. Pads of the list will be included in the March White Box mailing.

To download this list in PDF format, click here.

Deadlines for upcoming 76 lists for this year are:

March 5 -- May Book Sense 76
March 26 -- Summer Children’s Book Sense 76
April 2 -- Book Sense 76 Audiobooks Top Ten

Book Sense 76 Editor-in-Chief Dan Cullen encourages all stores to contribute nominations for these upcoming lists. Go to www.bookweb.org/read/6305 for a convenient online nomination form. For more information on the Book Sense 76, go to www.bookweb.org/booksense/seventysix/.

The 2004 Easter & Passover Book Sense 76 Top Ten

1. THE COUNTRY BUNNY AND THE LITTLE GOLD SHOES, by Du Bose Heyward, Marjorie Flack (Illus.) (Houghton Mifflin, $5.95 paper, 0395185572; Ages 4-8) "I never grow tried of the lessons Grandfather Bunny and Little Cottontail tell. The rewards of being wise, kind, swift, and brave can come to anyone regardless of size, speed, or wealth." --Barbara Theroux, Fact & Fiction, Missoula, MT

2. WONDERS AND MIRACLES: A Passover Companion, by Eric A. Kimmel (Scholastic, $18.95, 0439071755; Ages 4-8) "This beautiful companion to the Passover Seder is illustrated with art from 3,000 years of Jewish history. Award-winning author Eric Kimmel gives us stories, songs, poems, prayers, and commentary that will make any Passover Seder more lively and informative for the whole family." --Mark Brumberg, National Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA

3. MAX'S CHOCOLATE CHICKEN, by Rosemary Wells (Puffin, $5.99 paper, 0140566724; Babies and preschoolers) "This is a cute Easter book. Max and his sister, Ruby, go on an egg hunt, and the one who finds the most eggs wins the prize -- a chocolate chicken. Will Max be able to find more eggs than his sister and win the prize?" --Leslie Christman, Horton's Books & Gifts, Carrollton, GA

4. RECHENKA'S EGGS, by Patricia Polacco (Puffin, $6.99 paper, 0698113853; Ages 4-8) "This is a story with glorious artwork, an injured goose, an old woman with a special talent, broken eggs, sorrow, and redemption. Master storyteller Polacco spins a classic tale in an exotic, Ukrainian setting, and her warm illustrations never fail to touch our hearts." --Ellen Davis, Dragonwings Bookstore, Waupaca, WI

5. THE TALE OF THREE TREES, by Angela Elwell Hunt, Tim Jonke (Illus.) (FaithKidz, $12.99, 0745917437; Ages 9-12) "A simple retelling of an old folktale of three trees destined for great things, this story can be read at any time of year. At Easter and during Lent, the story of Christ's sacrifice is accessible to all ages. It's a wonderful baptism/christening gift." --Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

6. THE EASTER STORY, by Gennady Spirin (Holt Books for Young Readers, $19.95, 0805063331; Ages 4-8) "This book remains one of my Easter favorites. The illustrations, full of religious detail, are positively breathtaking. The Easter Story, which depicts the events leading up to and following the Crucifixion, can be shared with the whole family." --Kimberly Hughes, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI

7. MOSES: The Long Road to Freedom, by Ann Beneduce, Gennady Spirin (Illus.) (Scholastic, $16.95, 0439352258; Ages 4-8) "Lushly and creatively illustrated, this retelling of the story of Moses makes an ideal gift. The up-to-date language makes it appealing to adults and children alike. Quotes from Exodus, where the majesty of the more traditional language makes its largest impact, are included." --Kelly Justice, The Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA

8. CARDINAL BERNARDIN'S STATIONS OF THE CROSS: How His Dying Reflects the Mysteries of Loss and Grief, by Eugene Kennedy (St. Martin's, $19.99, 0312246455) "Professor Kennedy's sensitive paralleling of the final months of the late, beloved Cardinal Bernardin's battle with cancer with the 14 stations of Christ's Passion is destined to become not only a Lenten and Easter classic, but a valuable companion for those coping with their own or a loved one's serious illness." --Katherine Le Croy, Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Nashville, TN

9. THE EASTER RABBIT'S PARADE, by Lois Lenski (Random House, $12.95, 037582748X; Ages 4-8) "Beautiful, old-fashioned illustrations help tell a timeless story of farmyard animals coming together to create an Easter basket for the little girl who takes care of them." --Lisa Fabiano, Hearts & Stars Bookshop, Canton, MA

10. A PICKLES PASSOVER, by Richie Chevat (Simon Spotlight/ Nickelodeon, $3.50 paper, 0689852320; Ages 4-8) "Thanks to Tommy, Angelica, and the rest of the Rugrats gang, my son has been exposed, in a warm and winsome manner, to many traditional holidays not celebrated by our family." --Maryelizabeth Hart, Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA