Oy gevalt! The Little Red Hen likes baking matzah, but she's not so crazy about doing everything herself. Would it be too much to ask her friends Dog, Horse, and Sheep to help plant and harvest some wheat for the delicious Passover treat? Couldn't they at least help schlep the wheat to the mill? In this rollicking version of a favorite folktale, a harried, hardworking hen finds the true meaning of Passover. A recipe for matzah, a glossary of Yiddish words, and a note on Passover traditions is included.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3—This Yiddish-inflected retelling of "The Little Ren Hen" features a balabusta (good homemaker) who kvetches about her lazy no-goodnik friends who will not help her make matzah from wheat. When they show up at the Passover Seder, the hen scolds, "What chutzpah!" Ultimately, however, they repent and the hen forgives them because she is a mensch. All ends happily as they make up for their earlier bad behavior by doing the dishes. The droll ink, watercolor, and pastel cartoon illustrations have a friendly charm that makes a nice contrast with the story's wry humor. The Yiddish vocabulary and speech patterns will have Jewish adults rolling in the aisles, and children will enjoy the merging of familiar Passover and folktale elements. It's entertaining to those in the know, but readers unfamiliar with the holiday may be mystified by the humor, and they will gain little understanding of the traditions of Passover. An endnote on the holiday's history, a matzah recipe, and a glossary round out the package, but the book should be used in combination with more traditional tales or with audiences who already observe Passover. It's a must for Judaica collections and a solid choice for large general collections.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
The Little Red Hen has gone through various versions and permutations, but surely this is the first time she has a Yiddish accent. Realizing it’s almost Passover, the Little Red Hen says, “Oy gevalt!” She needs matzah for her seder dinner, and that means growing wheat. Horse, Sheep, and Dog are not interested in helping. Harvesting? Again, nope. Milling? “We’re resting.” By now, the Little Red Hen realizes she’s dealing with a bunch of no-goodniks. She bakes the matzah (“according to Jewish law . . . in just eighteen minutes”) and then sets her seder table. Guess who arrives? “What chutzpah!” But then the Little Red Hen remembers the Haggadah’s words: “Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Children familiar with Passover will get a kick out of this, and the ink-and-watercolor art amusingly captures both the Little Red Hen’s aggravation and the animals’ turnaround. Those really in the know might wonder about a sheep at a holiday table where lamb’s blood plays a major role, but, hey, at least none of the guests are pigs. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Library Binding
In this retelling of the classic story of the Little Red Hen, no one will help the Little Red Hen make the Passover matzoh, but they all want to help her eat it at her seder. Contains background on Passover, a recipe for matzoh, and a glossary of Yiddish words used in the story. Illustrated with whimsical water color illustrations, this is a delightful Passover story, peppered with traditional Yiddish words and phrases. In an ending with a twist, the Little Red Hen invites all her friends to her seder, even though they haven't helped with anything, because of the commandment in the Passover Hagaddah "Let all who are hungry come and eat." But when it's time to wash the dishes, it's the Little Red Hen's turn to rest, while her friends help out. A good addition to any library of Jewish picture books, this book would be fun to read each year while getting ready for Passover.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Library Binding
A beloved storybook character is given a Yiddish twist in this clever and humorous retelling. Realizing that Passover will be here before she knows it, the Little Red Hen sets about preparing to make matzah from start to finish. But who will help her plant, harvest, grind and schlep the wheat? Not her lazy friends Sheep, Horse and Dog, who disappoint her at every step ("Friends, schmends...I'll just do it myself.") Finally Passover arrives and it's time to make the matzah, which the Little Red Hen accomplishes in the mandated eighteen minutes "according to Jewish law". She sets her Seder table, prepares the traditional foods, and is just waiting for the sun to set when who should come knocking at the door? Those no-goodniks Sheep, Horse and Dog, of course. "What chutzpah!" scolds the Little Red Hen, but remembering the edict "Let all who are hungry come and eat," her menschy self prevails and she invites them in. At least they do the dishes! Pleasing watercolor-and-ink cartoon style illustrations add to the humor (check out the baby chick wearing a yarmulke). Includes a brief explanation of Passover and instructions for making matzah. A perfect holiday title for all Judaica collections. For ages 4 - 8. Teri Markson
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By M. J. Jones
Format:Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book as a present for adult family members. The children and adults loved it. It is especially good for demonstrating the sharing values of Passover. Truly a book for the entire family to enjoy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a funny book!
My 3 year old granddaughter and I really enjoy this book! It's very funny with its yiddish words. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is so classic. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ruth Mizel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful story of kindness and Passover
This is a beautiful book about hard work, kindness, forgiveness, Passover (Pesach), and how matzah is made. It even tells you how to make homemade matzah at the end. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Shaham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous!
Adults and children alike will enjoy this book. It follows the traditional Red Hen story and then has a wonderful "Jewish" twist at the end.
Published on April 15, 2011 by J. Tuttle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute, with a message
I loved this book, and my kids did, too. I like that the book emphasizes that on Pesach all who are hungry are invited to eat, and the process of making matza in a way that is... Read more
Published on March 6, 2011 by joel pinczewski
1.0 out of 5 stars
boring
my son owns over 10 different passover books but he found this one particularly boring. we re-read many books over and over but this one he hasn't touched since.
Published on July 4, 2010 by Lydia Izsak
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