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Matzah Man to the Rescue!
In this comedic graphic novel, Eric Kimmel delivers a light-hearted journey to spotlight Passover traditions from around the world.
It's Passover Eve, and Matzah Man is ready to answer the call. All across the world, families are preparing for their Seders, but oh no! There's an emergency! The cat has stolen the shank bone, Passover is ruined. Never fear, Matzah Man is here! Mice have nibbled away all the matzah. Never fear, Matzah Man is here! Everyone forgot to make the charoset. Never fear, Matzah Man...doesn't know how to make Moroccan charoset! Matzah Man needs to help this family, but sunset is soon approaching. He'll need to use his mighty powers, and perhaps get help from a familiar face, to get all the ingredients he needs and make it to the Seder in time.
It's Passover Eve, and Matzah Man is ready to answer the call. All across the world, families are preparing for their Seders, but oh no! There's an emergency! The cat has stolen the shank bone, Passover is ruined. Never fear, Matzah Man is here! Mice have nibbled away all the matzah. Never fear, Matzah Man is here! Everyone forgot to make the charoset. Never fear, Matzah Man...doesn't know how to make Moroccan charoset! Matzah Man needs to help this family, but sunset is soon approaching. He'll need to use his mighty powers, and perhaps get help from a familiar face, to get all the ingredients he needs and make it to the Seder in time.
- GenresJewish
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2024
About the author
Eric A. Kimmel
145 books113 followersEric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 22, 2024
The house cat stole your shank bone? Run out of unleavened bread for the Seder? Grandma didn't make the charoset because she thought Grandpa was doing it? If you answer yes to any of these Passover celebration calamities, then you must call upon Matzah Man!
This all ages graphic novel is a perfect introduction into the Jewish holiday of Passover! I'm married into a Jewish family and I've participated in the Passover Seder before. Yet I learned some new stuff about the holiday from reading this book!
Matzah Man to the Rescue! is divided into several easy to read chapters. The artwork is a mixed medium of cartoon art and real life photographs. So if the young readers in your life have never learned about Passover before and don't know what a matzo looks like, they'll be able to now thanks to Illustrator Charlie Fowkes. I just wish writer Eric Kimmel had devoted more space than just a paragraph about how to make charoset, since the use of it on Matzah wafers are history's first records of what we now refer to as the sandwich.
This is a turbulent time in history. The conflicts in Israel are full of good intentions and terrible atrocities. Antisemitism is at a 75 year high and don't think for a minute that I am not aware nor compassionate towards those Palestinian families that are in the middle of a war because of their faith and heritage as well as extremists who acted independently of the majority. Iranians too! I have cousins who are Iranians and they often talk about how their family and friends long to be free of the regime that currently rules Iran with an iron fist.
My hope reading this graphic novel accomplishes 3 things. I've already achieved my goal of reading and collecting a new holiday themed graphic novel. Now I hope others looking to teach their little ones about the Jewish culture will go out and get this book. Then I hope that learning experience might help spread understanding, love and peace to a troubled section of our ailing world.
This all ages graphic novel is a perfect introduction into the Jewish holiday of Passover! I'm married into a Jewish family and I've participated in the Passover Seder before. Yet I learned some new stuff about the holiday from reading this book!
Matzah Man to the Rescue! is divided into several easy to read chapters. The artwork is a mixed medium of cartoon art and real life photographs. So if the young readers in your life have never learned about Passover before and don't know what a matzo looks like, they'll be able to now thanks to Illustrator Charlie Fowkes. I just wish writer Eric Kimmel had devoted more space than just a paragraph about how to make charoset, since the use of it on Matzah wafers are history's first records of what we now refer to as the sandwich.
This is a turbulent time in history. The conflicts in Israel are full of good intentions and terrible atrocities. Antisemitism is at a 75 year high and don't think for a minute that I am not aware nor compassionate towards those Palestinian families that are in the middle of a war because of their faith and heritage as well as extremists who acted independently of the majority. Iranians too! I have cousins who are Iranians and they often talk about how their family and friends long to be free of the regime that currently rules Iran with an iron fist.
My hope reading this graphic novel accomplishes 3 things. I've already achieved my goal of reading and collecting a new holiday themed graphic novel. Now I hope others looking to teach their little ones about the Jewish culture will go out and get this book. Then I hope that learning experience might help spread understanding, love and peace to a troubled section of our ailing world.
June 1, 2025
Fun, short Passover graphic novel following Matzah Man solving a variety of Seder prep problems. I was concerned at first with the charoset he made in Morocco, but of course it was addressed correctly! This would make a great Afikoman prize, or something for kids to read if they get bored at the seder. Highly recommended for grades 2 & up.
February 17, 2025
“Never Fear, Matzah Man is here.”
Eric Kimmel is one of the most prolific picture book authors around. With over 150 books to his credit, he has been delighting children for fifty years. Many of them are written about Jewish holidays or topics, but most of Kimmel’s books are folktale retellings. But now we have something completely different. Instead of a folktale, he has spun a modern Passover story based on pop culture superheroes. Kids might recognize Superman, but older family members over 50 will recognize Batman and Underdog as well.
This wacky book has Matzah man flying around the world to help save three different seders with missing symbols. Along the way, readers will learn about vegetarian alternatives to the shank bone, varieties of matzah, and the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic charoset. Matzah Man’s couldn’t save the day without his secret weapon: matzah balls as an energy source. This delightful book even has Elijah actually appearing for a change. Artist Charlie Fowkes has provided bright, colorful illustrations in a cartoon style that is appropriate to a superhero picture book. The afterward includes an author’s note describing the significance of Passover and the symbolism behind the shank bone, matzah and charoset.
This book is aimed at 6-to-8-year-olds, but I think that any Jewish child will enjoy this book. Parents and caregivers will appreciate the humor that may escape the little ones. It can also be used in a religious school to launch discussions about Jewish diversity and Passover symbols.
Kimmel is a five-time recipient of the National Jewish Book Award and has been honored with the Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. His holiday books have been a staple in Jewish homes for generations. I read some of them to my children every year. This bubbe, will definitely be reading this book aloud this Spring and for many years to come.
Eric Kimmel is one of the most prolific picture book authors around. With over 150 books to his credit, he has been delighting children for fifty years. Many of them are written about Jewish holidays or topics, but most of Kimmel’s books are folktale retellings. But now we have something completely different. Instead of a folktale, he has spun a modern Passover story based on pop culture superheroes. Kids might recognize Superman, but older family members over 50 will recognize Batman and Underdog as well.
This wacky book has Matzah man flying around the world to help save three different seders with missing symbols. Along the way, readers will learn about vegetarian alternatives to the shank bone, varieties of matzah, and the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic charoset. Matzah Man’s couldn’t save the day without his secret weapon: matzah balls as an energy source. This delightful book even has Elijah actually appearing for a change. Artist Charlie Fowkes has provided bright, colorful illustrations in a cartoon style that is appropriate to a superhero picture book. The afterward includes an author’s note describing the significance of Passover and the symbolism behind the shank bone, matzah and charoset.
This book is aimed at 6-to-8-year-olds, but I think that any Jewish child will enjoy this book. Parents and caregivers will appreciate the humor that may escape the little ones. It can also be used in a religious school to launch discussions about Jewish diversity and Passover symbols.
Kimmel is a five-time recipient of the National Jewish Book Award and has been honored with the Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. His holiday books have been a staple in Jewish homes for generations. I read some of them to my children every year. This bubbe, will definitely be reading this book aloud this Spring and for many years to come.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews