Matzah Ball Chase

by Rachelle Burk, Brittany Lakin (Illustrator)

Just as a boy's grandmother puts some delicious matzah ball soup in his bowl, the matzah ball, animated and mischievous, jumps out and rolls onto the floor and out the door! As the two dash after it, more and more people join the chase as the matzah ball rolls past landmarks, from cities to deserts and eventually to the sea. This matzah ball will not be stopped!


In a spirited adventure reminiscent of The Gingerbread Man with a bouncy rhyming text evokes the classic children's satire "On Top of Spaghetti" this energetic, independent, and particularly expressive matzah ball bounces through major landmarks in Israel.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This playful, engaging, and endearing book is a fun-filled adventure through Israel. Your child will have a ball with this energetic travel companion! The author shares the story in enthusiastic and playful rhymes, and the illustrations are vivid and action-packed, making this book a treat for the ears and eyes. You should not wait another second to buy Matzah Ball Chase: lots of Matzah Ball fun is awaiting you!

[Amalia Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s wonderful to read a new twist on the very famous Run-Away Gingerbread Man, and one that takes place in Israel.
This matzah ball jumps out of the bowl, ready for a great adventure.
“Oy Vey,” calls Savta. “That’s terribly rude! Everyone knows you shouldn’t waste food.”
But the matzah ball keeps running through various sights in Israel.
Other fun adventures follow. I won’t reveal the end but will say that it’s much more satisfying than what happened to the poor gingerbread man…
The illustrations are fun, detailed and colorful.
The author also includes an author’s note, a glossary of Yiddish and Hebrew words and more information about each sight that the matzah ball runs through.
Highly recommended for schools, libraries and families that want to learn more about Israel and its wonderful sights.

[Melissa Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first line: "Today after Safta put soup in my bowl, the matzah ball bailed and spun out of control," this story is a rollicking journey throughout the highlights of Israel, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada, the Dead Sea, Eilat, and more. The reader will enjoy chasing the matzah ball until the sweet and fun twist at the end! Vibrant illustrations and back matter highlighting the sites around Israel add extra enrichment. Perfect for families, schools, and libraries, and for everyone who loves or wants to try matzah ball soup!

[Shanna Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matzah Ball Chase, a charming new picture book by Rachelle Burk, uses humor and rhyme to chase an escaped matzah ball on a journey throughout Israel. Sights along the way include the ancient and the modern, and give readers a full tour of the very diverse landscape of Israel’s land and people. Kids will love following the matzah ball on its bouncing journey through illustrator Brittany Lakin’s rich, colorful landscapes. This delightful book is simple a lot of fun and will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chase is on! Such a fun and clever story about a runaway matzah ball. This tasty creature is a character all its own, leading a diverse cast of characters on a journey that is travelogue-worthy. The illustrations are detailed and so lovely and colorful, and this story is told in a rhyme style that matches the kinetic, roving, adventurous personality of this mischievous matzah ball. Highly recommended!

[Barbara Goldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matzah Ball Chase is a fun read-a-loud! In this highly recommended picture book, a family chase an escaped matzah ball through many important sites in Israel, past all different types of people until the surprise end. The text flows swiftly and well and the illustrations are colorful and appealing and fun too, as the matzah ball rolls past markets, museums, a Bedouin tribe, the Dead Sea and more. Good read for Passover, but all year round, too.

[Keila Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this retelling of the Gingerbread Man tale, a Matzah Ball is the runaway! It rolls around different places on its journey, taking readers on a tour of Israel. Besides Jewish sites, the illustrations show a mosque and Arab characters including veiled women and men in taqiyahs and keffiyehs. A great addition to the canon of runaway stories.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young readers will giggle and squirm with excitement as they race through Israel’s gorgeous landscape and historic monuments on this great MATZAH BALL CHASE. This super-fun, adorable, educational read-aloud by Rachelle Burk also provides an author’s note, a list of places visited on matzah ball’s journey, and a glossary of terms. Highly recommended.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun book for young elementary aged children. I love the "tour of Israel" it takes you through and the added opportunities to teach about important places in our homeland. The rhyming and Passover feel reminds me of the book "Only Nine Chairs" which I remember reading at my seders when my kids, nieces and nephews were little. Fun read for all!

[Bonnie Grubman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's impossible to read this without smiling! The rhyme is impeccable. The illustrations, adorable. What a great way to see Israel without packing a suitcase. I love it. It is lively and musical and fun for everyone and anyone who loves matzah balls and a great story. . . with a very clever ending!

[Colleen Kosinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and informative. Kids will love the story and learn a bit as well!

[Laurie Wallmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful picture book, written in rhyme, invites the young reader to see the sights of Israel. The humorous story is sure to keep kids turning the page to see where the matzah ball goes next.