A Sweet Passover

February 20, 2012
In this colorful Passover story, Miriam spends the holiday at her grandma and grandpa’s house. There, together with her parents and aunts and uncles, Miriam takes part in the Passover seder, complete with candle lighting, asking the Four Questions, and looking for the afikomen, the hidden matzo. Most of all, though, she savors the chance to eat matzo for eight days and nights. But when, after seven days of matzo with butter, matzo with jam, and nearly every other combination of matzo with something, Miriam feels sick and refuses any more of the unleavened bread. Grandpa must then use his special touch to salvage Miriam’s love of matzo. Bright illustrations and a number of cute touches, like Miriam’s matzo bedspread, her loyal dog who mimics her actions and feelings, and a recipe for Grandpa’s matzo brei, round out an enjoyable holiday tale. Ages 4–8.

February 1, 2012
A week of eating matzah has one little girl ready to swear off the bland, unleavened cracker for good, until a sweet, time-honored staple slowly changes her mind. Miriam observes Passover with parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle each consecutive day with different foods added to her matzah. She happily eats her unleavened bread with butter, jelly, tuna salad, egg salad, cream cheese, cottage cheese, almond and apple butter and jam. But after eating plain matzah, egg matzah, whole-wheat matzah and chocolate-covered matzah, Miriam awakens on the eighth day of the holiday completely "sick, sick, sick of matzah" and refuses to eat another bite. Perplexed and amused, Grandpa entices Miriam with the prospect of a breakfast of Passover French toast, otherwise known as matzah brei, a pancake-type creation from pieces of matzah soaked in egg and milk, pan-fried in butter and topped with sugar, cinnamon or maple syrup. Large amiable cartoon characters drawn in acrylic and charcoal portray a loving and cheerful family. They recount the Passover saga through Newman's dialogue-driven text, into which she subtly weaves some interpretive messages for today. "Matzah goes with everything," says Grandpa. "And that reminds us that we should get along with everyone, too." Convinced Miriam completes the holiday with the sweetened meal she cooked with her culinary savvy Grandpa. Deliciously traditional. (recipe, author's note) (Picture book/religion. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2012
PreS-Gr 4-Miriam loves matzah and eats it throughout the Jewish holiday of Passover, when leavened bread is forbidden. But by the eighth and final day, she is truly sick of it. It takes Grandpa's delicious matzah brei ("Passover French toast") and some gentle reminders about the symbolism of the food to reignite her enthusiasm. While familiarity with Passover (and matzah) is necessary to appreciate this story, Newman packs in a lot of information about history and customs that can build on that basic knowledge. These tidbits, along with a smattering of Yiddish vocabulary, are well integrated into the charming story, which retains a lighthearted flavor. The acrylic and charcoal cartoon illustrations are contemporary, friendly, and cozy. Expressive characters and humorous details abound: the dog, Bubbeleh, matches Miriam's posture when, arms crossed over her chest, she refuses to eat any more matzah. Of all the matzah-centric Passover stories out there (and there are many), this one is unique in its focus on the actual experience of eating matzah all week, and the reasons for doing so. It is a must for Judaica collections and will have wide appeal in communities where Passover is celebrated. A recipe is included.-"Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL"

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
Grades K-3 Miriam loves celebrating Passover at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She enjoys the holiday rituals (asking the Four Questions, searching for the Afikomen), visiting with relatives, and the special foods, especially matzah, a cracker-like bread. But by the eighth day, Miriam can't bear to even think about eating matzah, until Grandpa makes a Passover version of French toast, matzah brei. Miriam expresses the feelings of many observant Jews at Passover, who find it difficult to abstain from leavened products for eight days. Miriam's meltdown, although tame by tantrum standards, is also well-handled. No one forces her to eat. Instead, they remind her of the festival's positive aspects. Slonim's Charles Schulz-like acrylic-and-charcoal illustrations portray this extended, conservative family with much good humor, especially considering everyone's living under one roof during the holiday. Infused with Yiddish phrases, a brief recounting of the Passover story, and appended with a recipe, note, and glossary, this is a welcome addition to the holiday.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)