Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls

Confusing but joyous—like many real-life holiday celebrations.

K-Gr 2--Concerned for his Jewish stepsister, Michael emails the Easter Bunny to ask him to put something special for Passover in Anna's Golden Egg on Easter. When Anna's Passover placemats, then Seder Plate puzzle and Afikomen bag go missing, Michael emails the Easter Bunny again. Both times the Easter Bunny responds, confessing that he put the items in the Golden Egg, but it wouldn't close. Then, disaster strikes when Aunt Evie realizes that they are completely out of Matzo. But the next day, on Easter, Michael and Anna find the Golden Egg with the missing piece of Matzo, thus saving Passover. The poorly constructed, incoherent, and confusing plot is difficult to follow and raises several questions. How did the matzo fit in the Golden Egg when the other items couldn't? How did the matzo, a thin cracker that breaks and crumbles easily, manage to stay intact? Why is the book titled Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls, with an appended recipe for matzo ball soup, when matzo balls never appear in the text or illustrations? The other missing Passover items are never recovered; did the Easter Bunny steal them? Families typically purchase several boxes of matzo and wouldn't run out before the holiday started. Plus, you need more than one piece for the Seder. Phrases such as "he exhaled a puff of thoughts and followed them around the house" and "she emerged with a cloud of frustration" seem too abstract for the intended audience, and the unsophisticated and uninspiring illustrations lack dimension. The glossary includes terms never mentioned in the story: Haggadah, Seder. VERDICT Readers won't learn anything about either holiday from this book. Those looking for an authentic and heartwarming depiction of an interfaith and blended family should try Sarah Aronson's Brand-New Bubbe.--Rachel Kamin

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In this holiday story featuring a white-presenting blended family, Michael, who celebrates Easter, wants Passover, which this year falls at the same time, to be extra special for new stepsister Anna. But Anna is preoccupied: she can't find her family's Passover belongings, there's no matzo in the house, and the stores are sold out. Cartooned images by Langdo show Michael dispatching a series of emails to the Easter Bunny, asking it to ensure that something special arrives for Anna via the golden egg prize of the Easter egg hunt. The story's threads don't quite come together--it's not clear why the Easter Bunny appears to have taken the family's Passover supplies, nor how the one tiny piece of matzo that's revealed inside the golden egg is going to solve the family's seder supply problem. But the step-siblings seem fully bonded--"Wherever the matzo is, we'll find it together," Emaus writes in Anna's voice--and that may be enough. Recipes and a glossary conclude. Ages 3-6. (Jan.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

It's refreshing to read a story about a stepfamily that has so little conflict. . . . The pictures . . . have a simple, childlike charm, with circles for people's heads and wavy lines for their arms. Characters are tan-skinned. Readers may appreciate the spirit of religious harmony . . . —Kirkus

What could be better than a joyful picture book that celebrates Easter or Passover? A joyful picture book that celebrates both! Sprinkled with the customs and symbols of each holiday, Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls adds a layer of mystery and a bit of magic that will keep readers turning the pages to discover what the children in this blended family will find in the Golden Egg. —Vivian Kirkfield, author of Pippa's Passover Plate

A wonderful representation of the love of stepsiblings and blending honored holiday celebrations. The recipes included at the end are sure to help create lasting connections and learning experiences. -Hannah Bruner, author of What Makes a Family?

Praise for Latkes for Santa Claus

This charming story has all the ingredients of a sweet and tender perennial holiday classic. With whimsical rhymes, kid-friendly text, and illustrations guaranteed to appeal to little ones, this delicious book combines the traditions of Hanukah and Christmas in a way children, as well as their parents, won't soon forget. What's more, the latkes and sugar cookie recipes are the icing on the cake. I have twelve nieces and nephews, who will, for sure, find this yummy book among their holiday gifts. —Allia Zobel Nolan, author of What I Like About Me: A Book About Acceptance and Cat Confessions: A Kitty Come Clean Tell All Book

Latkes for Santa Claus is a joyful, engaging read perfect for culturally blended families and delightful for all readers. The playful rhymes will keep kids giggling, and the delicious recipes especially add a wonderful touch for anyone who might want to leave a treat for Santa. —Jess Rinker, author of Gloria Takes a Stand and Send a Girl

Ideal for blended families, but definitely delightful for anyone to read, Laktes for Santa Claus is a clever Hanukkah meets Christmas spin on leaving cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Even if it's not Chrismukkah (when Christmas and Hanukkah overlap), this picture book still shows a way for Jewish children living with a non-Jewish step-sibling and/or step-parent how fun it is to share a bit of their Jewish holiday traditions during Christmastime. . . . I enjoyed every page of this charming new picture book because it showed how there is not only room for compromise in every family, but how easily a new tradition can be created bringing everyone closer. —Good Reads with Ronna