Secret of the Scent Map

Elana Rubinstein is the author of the Saralee Siegal chapter book series, including Once Upon an Apple Cake, A National Jewish Book Award Finalist; Starlight Soup; A Donut in Time; and The Royal Recipe. She is an early childhood educator living in Fairfax, Virginia. Jennifer Naalchigar is a British-Japanese illustrator. After working as an Art Buyer for Oxford University Press, she decided that illustration was the career for her. Jen’s client list includes HarperCollins, Hachette, Oxford University Press, Pearson, Random House Children’s Books, Reycraft books and Scholastic. She lives in Hertfordshire, England.

★ "Saralee and her family are hard at work preparing for the upcoming Passover feast at their family restaurant. Using her “super-nose,” Saralee invents a few new dessert recipes. However, when Aunt Lottie arrives, makes a mess, and takes some of the treats without offering to help, Saralee says something unkind—and Aunt Lottie mysteriously disappears. Determined to find her missing aunt, Saralee and her best friend, Harold, embark on a global adventure, guided by a “scent map” that leads them to different countries. Along the way, they uncover surprising truths about Aunt Lottie. Jewish culture and traditional foods are woven throughout, offering a sense of familiarity for those who celebrate Passover, while introducing others to these customs. For those interested in trying Passover alfajores, which are popular in Argentina, one of the destinations on Saralee and Harold’s journey, a recipe is included in the back matter. Black-and-white illustrations bring this unique story to life. VERDICT A valuable addition to early chapter book collections that combines a magical adventure with rich depictions of Jewish culture." —School Library Journal, Starred Review"The girl with an extraordinary sense of smell, capable of detecting scents with remarkable precision, returns in Rubinstein’s latest installment of the Saralee Siegel series. This captivating story blends humor, mystery, and Jewish traditions while thoughtfully exploring themes of individuality and family heritage. As the family prepares for Passover at the Siegel House Restaurant, Saralee participates in traditional tasks, such as grating horseradish for maror. Chaos ensues when Aunt Lotte knocks over ingredients, creates messes, and sneaks treats without offering to help. Frustrated, Saralee lets her temper get the best of her and makes an unkind remark, wishing Aunt Lotte was not there. To her shock, Aunt Lotte inexplicably vanishes the following day. Eager to make things right, Saralee discovers a mysterious “scent map” in Lotte’s room—a magical portal releasing aromatic tendrils that transport Saralee and her best friend, Harold, to the countries Lotte has visited. As the duo sets off on a whirlwind journey, they uncover surprising truths about Aunt Lotte. Her adventures reveal how she has used her extraordinary sense of smell to make meaningful contributions around the world. Along the way, Saralee discovers that beneath her aunt’s tough exterior lies a compassionate heart and a deep sense of purpose. Zaidie, Saralee’s wise grandfather, offers advice about treating others with kindness and understanding what’s in a person’s heart and mind.The narrative is filled with humor and vivid food metaphors, enhanced by black-and-white illustrations by Jennifer Naalchigar that bring the characters and details to life. The story integrates Jewish culture and traditions seamlessly, offering familiarity to those who celebrate Passover while introducing newcomers to the holiday’s customs and foods. Readers are treated to a recipe for Passover Alfajores, South American caramel sandwich cookies popular in Argentina, one of the destinations Saralee and Harold visit. This book is a fun and meaningful addition to both Jewish and public libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries