The Matzah Man: A Passover Story - Hardcover

Naomi Howland is the author and illustrator of several books for children, including The Matzah Man: A Passover Story and Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat: A Chanukah Story. She lives in Claremont, California.

reSchool-Grade 2--In this Passover version of the "Gingerbread Man," a baker makes his last bit of matzah dough into a tiny figure that proceeds to run away, chanting "Hot from the oven I jumped and ran,/So clever and quick, I'm the Matzah Man!" He encounters a variety of people and animals who enter into the cumulative chase, and each time he escapes, until young Mendel Fox convinces him to hide under the matzah cover, where he is broken and eaten by his pursuers. The simple story has a pleasant Jewish flavor, and the gouache, collage, and pencil illustrations are well rendered and amusing. The Matzah Man runs right out of the frames on several pages, and he is constantly in motion, keeping the tale flowing. While the author makes no attempt to explain the holiday, people acquainted with it will find plenty of familiar details, both in the text and in the paintings, including brisket, gefilte fish, and a beautifully set Passover table. Ultimately, this enjoyable tale would be a good addition to libraries looking to beef up their collections for their Jewish patrons.
Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
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