The Matzah Man: A Passover Story [Hardcover]

Naomi Howland (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

In this lively adaptation of “The Gingerbread Boy,” a bold little man made of matzah jumps out of the baker’s oven and leads him and everyone in the neighborhood—all of whom are preparing for Passover—on a merry chase. With colossal chutzpah, the Matzah Man taunts Cousin Tillie as she is cooking brisket, Auntie Bertha trying on her new spring shoes, and Grandpapa Solly making gefilte fish. He at last arrives on the doorstep of clever Mendel Fox, who offers him a hiding place under the Passover matzah cover—and when the seder meal begins, that’s the end of the Matzah Man! As she did in Latkes, Latkes, Good to Eat, Naomi Howland has created a humorous tale, charmingly illustrated, that overflows with holiday festivity. Glossary.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Howland (Latkes, Latkes, Good Enough to Eat) makes the story of the Gingerbread Man kosher for Passover in a picture book that improves with repeat readings. Set in an indeterminately old-fashioned community where ladies wear white gloves, hats and fox stoles to go shopping, the story opens as the baker has made a little man out of leftover matzoh dough. Here it is Cousin Tillie, sampling her tender brisket; Auntie Bertha, the shopper; Grandpa Solly, chopping onions for gefilte fish; Miss Axelrod, adding the last matzoh ball to a pot of chicken soup; and a variety of animals who chase after the impish Matzah Man. The storytelling seems attenuated the first time around but all those matzoh-chasers play a role in the satisfying surprise finale. Children will want to return to the beginning to see how neatly Howland sets up her premise. Collage elements (these create the Matzah Man) mingle unobtrusively with almost drab gouaches in the illustrations, which, despite their unprepossessing first impression, are crammed with lively details. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

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
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618117504
• ISBN-13: 978-0618117505
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,111,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Toddler Pesach Book!, June 28, 2008

By 

M. B. Gruen - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Matzah Man: A Passover Story (Hardcover)

This book about the "matzah man" who jumps out of Mr. Cohen, the baker's, oven has plenty of fun repetition that toddlers find so enjoyable. The pictures are great as the story builds to the surprise climax. With a few different refrains that my 2 1/2 year old daughter loves repeating, the book is very participatory. We highly recommend it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, November 7, 2011

By 

Roberto D. Mascorro "machin power" (TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Matzah Man: A Passover Story (Hardcover)

I actually bought this book b/c my 6 yr old son had checked it out from the library and kept repeating Matzah Man

4.0 out of 5 stars You can't catch me!, April 16, 2011

By 

Mara Engelson "Ophelia333" (Fl, U.S.) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Matzah Man A Passover Story (Paperback)

This book is a cute version of the Gingerbread man re-written for Passover purposes. It's a must for any preschool class that teaches Judaics. It's a wonderful funny story that inspires and teaches the children at the same time about some of the Passover traditions. A little long for the 2's, so you may need to skip a page or two. Would probably be good through Kindergarten with ease.