"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 his books about Jewish holidays or topics, but most are folktale retellings. 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 or Batman, but older family members will recognize 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 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. An author’s note describes 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 religious schools 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. As a Jewish holiday book that highlights Jewish diversity around the world, this charming book fits the criteria for the Sydney Taylor Book Award. —Julie Ditton, The Sydney Taylor ShmoozeAfter days if not weeks of preparation, the Passover seder is finally ready. But wait — something is missing! As any superhero fan knows, some situations call for special powers, especially when a shank bone is missing or the charoset cannot be found. In Eric A. Kimmel and Charlie Fowkes’s new book, Matzah Man is prepared to address any circumstance that threatens to delay the Festival of Freedom.This graphic novel is divided into chapters, building readers’ excitement and introducing them to different Jewish cultures around the world. Matzah Man is dressed in traditional superhero garb, with a blue mem emblazoned on his shirt that matches his identity-concealing mask. Beginning his journey in Matzahville, whose welcome sign is reminiscent of midcentury American graphics, Matzah Man is confronted with a cat who has consumed the shank bone. Although family members believe it’s irreplaceable, Matzah Man assures them that a beet or carrot would be a fine substitute.Then, a frum family in Jerusalem loses their matzah to some hungry mice. Matzah Man is armed with every variety of the unleavened bread, including the strictly prepared shmurah variety. When a Moroccan grand-père and grand-mère find themselves without charoset, each assuming that the other has prepared it, the possibly Ashkenazi Matzah Man can’t supply them with the dates they need for their special recipe. But not to worry: he searches on his phone and quickly locates some. The best location is San Diego, California, a city whose distance does not deter Matzah Man. Both text and image demonstrate the interconnectedness of the Jewish world on a deeply significant holiday.Every superhero is vulnerable, and Matzah Man is no exception. Eventually, his global travels deplete his energy before he has had time to assemble enough matzah balls for everyone who needs them. When Elijah the Prophet shows up to help, looking like a beloved zayde with his beard and sunglasses, one of the seder guests plays a crucial role. Young readers — and maybe even older ones — will have opportunities to learn about different customs that fulfill the mitzvot of Passover. This book’s empathy and humor open the door to a vision of freedom that, unlike a shank bone, cannot be replaced. —Emily Schneider, Jewish Book CouncilAn easy reader graphic novel that combines the traditions of Passover with the superhero trope to create a fun, accessible story. Matzah Man, decked out in a yellow suit with blue shorts, boots, gloves, cape, mask, and a blue Mem (the Hebrew letter "M") on his chest, is called to save three other families’ Passovers, but can he make it home in time for his own? A bat signal-style beacon with a blue Mem on a matzah textured background calls Matzah Man to provide a replacement shank bone, find some matzah, and finally to make charoset. After using up his matzah ball power-ups to retrieve dates for the charoset, he runs out of energy. However, Elijah finds him and gives him a ride so he can spend the Passover seder with his family. This funny, over-the-top story has information about the seder worked in effectively. Text is in rectangular word bubbles, with the narration done in yellow-backed rectangles, and has a distinct comic book, superhero feel. Cartoon-style art varies from full-bleed spreads to pages with multiple insets to pages with up to five or six panels, keeping the story moving quickly. Matzah Man and his family are depicted with masks and light skin, but the rest of the cast is more diverse. VERDICT This light, entertaining early reader Passover book is a pleasant addition to schools and libraries looking to expand their Passover collections. —Amy Lilien-Harper, School Library JournalKids will delight as they follow the adventures of Matzah Man, in Eric Kimmel’s laugh-out-loud comic-style adventure about a Passover superhero who soars the skies in his blue cape, rescuing families across the globe who need help preparing for their seder. When his miracle matzah balls run low and he runs out of energy, along comes the Prophet Elijah to save the superhero’s holiday. Charlie Fowkes’ colorful, animated illustrations are perfectly paired with Kimmel’s lively text. —Jewish Telegraphic AgencyFly around the world in five easy-to-read chapters with superhero Matzah Man. In the wild dash to get ready for the holiday, Matzah Man travels around the world to bring a shank bone, matzah, charoset, and Miracle Matzah Balls to a family's Seder. But will he make it before sunset? With the more powerful superpowers of the Prophet Elijah, who is delighted to be invited to stay throughout the Seder, all ends well.Digital art is in an early reader graphic novel format. Backmatter included brief information about the holiday and ideas for designing your own charoset. A lively addition to Passover book collections or a fun read during the Passover season.—Association of Jewish Libraries
