The Matzah Man: A Passover Story

by Naomi Howland

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Holiday, Childrens, Cultural, Judaism, Judaica

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2002

About the author

Naomi Howland is an American children's book author and illustrator. Raised in Englewood, New Jersey, she was educated at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her first book, ABCDrive!, began as an illustration assignment at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. In addition to her own books, Howland has illustrated a number of picture-books written by other authors.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Jewish spin on the traditional tale of the Gingerbread Man has a little matzah man taunting and running away from everyone who wants to eat him with their Passover feast.

I'm not a fan of the repetitive nature of the ever-lengthening song the matzah man sings. I just want to skip to the comeuppance at the end.

My daughter liked this when she was nearly four, but it didn't get a lot of re-reads.


FOR REFERENCE:

Rated "Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod; rated "Good" by Adelia.

[Katie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS PERFECTION. I love this book!

[Samantha Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an altered version of the traditional fairy tale The Gingerbread Man. However, in this version, the authors personify a piece of Matzah bread. The Matzah Man runs all around town, with several people chasing after him, only to eventually end up enjoying a Seder meal together. I chose this book because The Gingerbread Man is a story that many students may know, but this version puts a cultural spin on the story, and could serve as a foundation of a unit around the holidays to teach students about various religious traditions.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally don't like non Jewish tales retold as Jewish ones, but at least it isn't a Christmas story turned into a Khanike story. I can imagine that for many kids this may be the first time they hear this story and won't know about the gingerbread man? At the same time, I have no idea of the state of continued popularity of gingerbread man style stories among children. I don't know that scene. Maybe this will resonate. It makes me think of when I knew wierd versions of stories before the "normal ones" and no one knew what I was talking about. In the end, I'm glad I grew up in Ann Arbor, the child of intellectual Jewish parents. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Also no one human and Jewish would eat this Matzah Man after he touched all these places outside with his body. No longer Kosher for Passover, much less kosher writ large.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Passover version of "The Gingerbread Man". If a child has no prior knowledge of Passover, this book does not really help to explain what the day is about. It does show a few traditions such as foods: brisket and matzah ball soup, and talks about the group having a seder. There is a glossary in the back of the book.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twist on the tale of the gingerbread that centers on the Passover Celebration, and a Matzah Man made from the last scraps of dough. Once out of the oven Matzah Man leads the villagers on a merry chase until he is outwitted by Mendel Fox. This book has a glossary that explains some common words used during the Passover.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is cute with adding lines and repetition. However, the ending is a little bit "garish" with the matzah man being hidden under the cushion and being eaten by people at the seder. It would have been more interesting if the Matzah Man was the afikoman. The illustrations were pleasant and added to the story.

[Madeline West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book to read around the time of Passover. It is an inclusive book if you chose to read gingerbread man to your classroom. It includes students who do not celebrate Christmas but are Jewish.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm uncomfortable with the way they snapped the matzah man and ate him. I know he's food, but he was sentient.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is similar to the Gingerbread Man, but the animated food is a Matzah Man on the night of Seder, during Passover. As the Matzah Man runs away, he taunts the village members and readers learn about different types of foods eaten at Seder. But, in the end, the Matzah Man gets eaten because a young boy tricks him. The illustrations are fun and playful and there is a glossary in the back of the book.

[Tara Pridy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ADORABLE book to read to children. There are no religious statements or anything about why we celebrate Passover; so you can include that if you like, or avoid it. I just read it to a second grade class and they enjoyed it. I also passed around matzoh, so they'd understand what it is. A lot of the kids volunteered info about foods in their culture, it was really cute.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is similar to the traditional Gingerbread Man but instead uses a Matzah Man. The story teaches of traditional Passover foods and the people that celebrate Passover. This multicultural book will help children learn of different holidays.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

So how would the familiar Gingerbread Man fairy tale be different if we changed the setting to a Jewish village just about ready for Passover? A light-hearted retelling for kids. Pick up some Passover and Yiddish vocab, too.

You won't learn anything about the background of Passover.

[Kiera · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good way to teach about Passover when discussing traditions in different cultures. Essentially it is the Gingerbread Man story, but with elements of Judaism incorporated.

[Melanie Boss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multicultural book. like the gingerbread man, but Jewish. it has good Jewish vocabulary in it with a glossary at the back.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! I think one of my favorite things about this book is the back cover, where the goat is holding the bar code scanner for the book. That was clever and cute!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Passover version of the Gingerbread Man with colorful, textured illustrations.

themes: food, fractured fairy tales, Passover

[Katherine Moses]

This story is the tale of the gingerbread man with a Jewish twist. You can compare this story with that of the traditional story.

[Alycia Goss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great spin on a classic the gingerbread man. Would be a great book to help learn about other cultures food

[Ellenjsmellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So great. Such a fun story to read to the kids.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Matzah Man!