Bedtime for Maziks: Great Afikoman Gift for the Picture Book Crowd

Apr 9, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

Confession: Before reading Yael Levy’s adorable picture book, Bedtime for Maziks, we hadn’t heard the term in years. The last time, it was part of a joke:

Bubbie placed a dish with two apples in front of two eyniklekh (“grandchildren” for the uninitiated), Yitzi and Moshe. One of the fruits was large and juicy-looking, the other withered and dry.

She held out the dish in front of them. “Let’s see who has the better manners.”

“He does,” said Yitzi, swiping the bigger apple.

Yitzi was a mazik.

Bedtime for Maziks

With illustrations by Nabila Adani reminiscent of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, Bedtime for Maziks, told all in rhyme, is filled with rambunctious mischief makers who are far from monstrous but sufficient to leave parents delighted to plant kisses on their heads at the close of day.

Unlike the Sendak book, this one has no hint of sending children to bed without their supper, not even when they make messes, don’t follow rules, and engage in pillow fights.

It would be an afikomen gift parents—and grandparents—will relish reading aloud as much as the children will enjoy hearing and following along.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed.

Bedtime for Maziks received five challahs