Matzah Ball Soup

by Joan Rothenberg

Every year at Passover, Rosie's grandma puts four matzah balls in each bowl of chicken soup. But Rosie wants to know, why does she need four of them? So Grandma tells Rosie the funny story of the famous matzah ball contest that occurred many years ago, one that would forever change her view of what was meant by the best matzah ball.
Young readers will love finding the hidden matzah in each Seder scene, and then making their own matzah balls with the recipe in the back of the book.

Genres: Food, Cultural, Jewish, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Brandi Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story Rosie's grandmother explains traditions including why their matzah ball soup always has four types of matzah balls. Rosie helps her grandmother to prepare the soup. The story is wonderful and highlights the significance of tradition. Grandma explains how she knows how much matzah meal to put in by how it feels. She tells the story of her mother and tantas (aunts) competing to see who made the best matzah balls. All four were chosen as winners and it became tradition to serve all four even after they passed away. Grandma says she feels as if they’re still at the Seder with them. Rosie realizes that this tradition will remind her of Grandma too. Now Rosie has stepped into the helping role Grandma played as a young child. Putting a handful of parsley and matzah into a bowl, her grandma tells her the her hands are just the right size (like grandma’s were when she helped her mom). This shows how the tradition will be continued from generation to generation. The last page includes mama's matzah ball recipe and the tantas variations. This book teaches about Jewish customs and practices like Passover and Seder rituals.
The book includes spot illustrations, as well as half-page and spread illustrations. Each page is bordered with a frame, matzah, or matzah ball soup. The frames make me think of family photos and really fit the theme of tradition. The illustrations are bright and vivid. Each character's clothing is patterned and detailed. The faces are also very expressive showing exhaustion as the tantas tirelessly cook and the faces made by each tanta as they try each other’s matzah balls. Seder has customs surrounding the number 4, and in the book we see Sam reciting the Four Questions, kids singing about the Four Children, and of course four matzah balls in the soup. This book is interesting and enjoyable even for those who know little about Jewish tradition. I learned a little about Seder from the story, but it is more about tradition and family than it is about religion or Jewish culture. It brings back memories of helping my own grandmother in the kitchen and makes me smile knowing I will be able to do the same with the little ones in my family.

[Michaela Klegseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

While cooking with her grandmother a young girl asked why they make matzah ball soup every year with four different kinds of matzah balls. The grandmother tells her it is tradition and tells the story of why the four different types of balls. After the story the girl understands and helps with the meal like her grandmother did while she was younger. I like how the book explains why tradition is good to know about and to keep going.it shows children that its ok to help in the kitchen .I like the story of the history of the four different types.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this intergenerational tale, a grandmother tells her granddaughter the story behind the tradition of serving four matzah balls in the family recipe for chicken soup. Though a bit doughy for younger readers, the story is the right combination of spicy, delicate, hearty, and fluffy for more experienced readers. Engaging illustrations invite readers of all ages into the family home for a taste test. Recipes included. Hearty appetite!