Kirkus Reviews QR Code
EASTER EGGS AND MATZO BALLS by Janie Emaus

EASTER EGGS AND MATZO BALLS

by Janie Emaus ; illustrated by Bryan Langdo

Pub Date: Jan. 31st, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5107-6922-9
Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Twenty-first-century families are complicated.

Michael celebrates Easter, and his stepsister, Anna, celebrates Passover, but this year, both holidays come at the same time. So Michael emails the Easter Bunny (at Easterbunny@19BurrowAve.com) for help. The Easter Bunny agrees to hide a special gift in Anna’s golden egg. The problem? None of the Passover-themed presents that Michael suggests will fit inside the egg, no matter how much the bunny squishes or squashes them—until finally they decide on the perfect gift…a piece of matzo. It’s refreshing to read a story about a stepfamily that has so little conflict. But some of the story details may puzzle readers. It’s not always obvious which character is speaking, and it would be very tricky for the bunny to place a piece of matzo inside the golden egg unless the egg were unusually large or the matzo were unusually small. The pictures don’t clear anything up, but they 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 even if they have trouble figuring out the plot mechanics. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

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

(holiday recipes, glossary of Passover and Easter terms) (Picture book. 3-5)