This Is the Matzah

by Abby Levine

Max and his family prepare to celebrate Passover. In cumulative verse, Max and his sister Ruth shop for matzah in the Passover aisle of the grocery store. The family gathers for the traditional Seder that celebrates this holiday of freedom.

Genres: Childrens, Religion, Judaism, Jewish, Holiday, School, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping Jewish children learn how to put together a Seder plate? Brilliant.

Altogether, this presents a child-scaled introduction to the great holiday. I can't imagine a single way this book could have been better.

What a gift for first-time parents who also happen to be Jewish!

FIVE STARS, for sure!

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's story about Passover seder. Would be more helpful if more detailed. I need things spoked as if to a child, but need more details especially if I am expected to lead a seder.

[Janice Villwock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-K-2nd grade listening/read alone

Levine details the Passover meal in a way that is understandable to young children. There is a foreward giving more detail to the holiday that a teacher could use for reference before reading the story to her students. The pages are illustrated in very vibrant watercolors and the story is done in a rhyming verse. Max and his sister shop for the Passover foods needed specifically for the meal. They set up the Seder plate with only the Passover foods. The author has included an illustrated page of the seder plate with the food and symbolization stated. The family then continues with the traditional Passover retelling the story of the Israelites ending with singing. This is a great book for any collection on different traditions during the holidays.

Social Studies/Science

The teacher could have a lesson on different traditions of the holidays from around the world.

[Amy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story that explains a passover celebration that one family shares. The family goes through many of the passover traditions like hiding the matzah, the Four Questions, eating the bitter herbs,telling the story of the plagues and leaving the door open for Elijah. This story has simple but desciptive illustrations and is straight forward in its telling of the traditions through a narrative story. It is engaging enough for even young readers and listeners.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative picture book about the Jewish holiday of Passover. It talks about the special Passover dinner called Seder. It shows the family performing the traditions of Seder and flashes back to the Jews being led out of Egypt. There is an interesting page that just shows the Seder Plate and what each part of it stands for. There is also a full page of extra information at the beginning of the story.

[Lde212_06 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good book for children to have access to in the classroom. It gives children insight into a religious tradition observed within the Jewish culture. I believe that it is important to allow your students to be exposed to this type of diversity, so that they can be aware and understanding about the diversity in the world that they live in.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Passover picture book out there! It is informative, fun, interesting and age appropriate for little ones. It gives an overview of the entire Passover seder, including Elijah's cup.