Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls by Janie Emaus

Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls Reviews

• 
  Andrew

  Michael has texted the Easter Bunny, trying to help out his new stepsister, Anna, who recognizes Passover, but Anna's Passover items keep disappearing.
  The Easter Bunny keeps telling Michael that certain items won't fit into a sought-after Golden Egg.
  Where are the missing items? Will Anna and Michael's two holidays be able to co-exist?
  
  Blended family author Janie Emaus gives us a story that does both. I love it!
  Illustrations by Bryan Langdo add a cuteness to the fun story of sibling love, unity and holiday togetherness;
  Additionally, there's a great Matzo Ball and Chicken Soup recipe at the back.
• 
  Cara Bertoia

  Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls is a wonderful book for a blended family or just any child that might be curious about Passover. The illustrations are well drawn and colorful and the story is such fun. It gives the reader enough information without overwhelming them. I really loved that Anna was Michael’s stepsister.
  I liked the way that Passover and Easter were at the same time, since Easter derives from Passover. A parent could then discuss the connection. As always in Emau’s stories there are great recipes that the reader can try. Matzo Balls are one of my favorite foods and I have never separated the whites from the yolks of the eggs, so I can’t wait to try making them that way.
  The glossary at the end was also a nice touch. It was very informative. In Israel Passover is the main holiday so it is good to see it getting the respect it deserves here. A wonderful holiday book to keep for generations. Can’t to see what holiday she tackles next.
  
  
• 
  Estelle Erasmus

  I enjoyed reading this sweet, heartwarming and entertaining picture book that teaches children how they can respect and appreciate each other's family traditions —particularly important with blended families from different religious backgrounds. It was endearing reading how Anna and her stepbrother worked together to find solutions, and I loved the vivid descriptions of Passover and Easter foods and customs. The glossary of terms and holiday recipes at the end of the book add to a wonderful resource that is timeless.
• 
  Carol Doeringer

  This book is about Easter, Passover, and how families celebrate both holidays' traditions. The story follows Michael as he schemes with the Easter Bunny to make sure his new Jewish stepsister, Anna, finds something special in the Golden Easter Egg. But more than a tale of embracing each others' religious traditions, this is a story about new step-siblings celebrating each other. I highly recommend this love-filled picture book for children in any family... blended or not.
• 
  TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris

  Brief summary: Michael texts the Easter Bunny to let him know that he has a new stepsister, Anna, who celebrates Passover but wants to make sure she gets something special in the Golden Egg since both holidays were at the same time. Both siblings hunt for the Easter Egg and Afikoman bag needed to celebrate the holiday.
  
  The back includes a chicken soup recipe and a matzo balls recipe. There is a glossary of Passover and Easter terms.
  
  Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗
• 
  Princess Isabelle

  This is the cute sequel to Latkes for Santa Claus I'm reading these books because it seems more logical to me to possibly celebrate the Jewish holidays with my future children rather than put so much emphasis on Santa Claus and commercialization but That's if I'm able to have children and this bus so not anytime soon. I do find the emailing aspect in this book somewhat off putting
• 
  Elizabeth

  A great modern book about combining two holidays (Passover and Easter) within one family
• 
  Ginny Neil

  How does a blended family celebrate Easter? By blending traditions, of course…but nobody expects things to be combined in quite this way. Great story about a creating new traditions out of old ones.
• 
  Kathryn

  I appreciate that the story shows a blended family of different faiths finding ways to celebrate both Easter and Passover in a special way together. However, the story didn't really draw me in.
• 
  Christine Barth

  I didn't think this explained either tradition very well. Neither is portrayed from a religious perspective. Texting with the Easter bunny was a bit weird.
• 
  Marie Scott

  I didn't like it and where's all the passover stuff?
• 
  Julie Ditton

  Janie Emaus has written two delightful children’s holiday stories for blended families. I loved
  Latkes for Santa Claus, and this book is just as delightful. Michael has always celebrated Easter, but his new stepsister Anna is Jewish. Michael wants Easter to be special for her, so he sends a text to the Easter bunny. He asks that the hollow golden egg which always holds a great treat be filled with something special for Anna. Suddenly Passover items are missing. Each time Alex texts the bunny to inquire, he gets a return text from the Easter bunny, who can’t get the item to fit in the golden egg. The Easter bunny’s response is always an adorable repetitive rhyme which will soon have youngsters chanting along. Bryan Langdo’s pastel watercolor illustrations are delightful.
  
  Many families have parents who were raised with different religions. They often celebrate the secular aspects of holidays from both religions to honor all family members. I was raised celebrating Passover but also received an Easter basket. I wish that there had been multicultural picture books like this when I was young. This book will delight children with a blended heritage. With so many Easter books at this time of year, any Jewish child will appreciate a book that includes Passover. But any child can enjoy this story. Teachers and librarians will love sharing a book that celebrates both holidays. Since the afterward also includes a glossary, one need not be familiar with Passover to enjoy the story. Parents will appreciate the recipes for chicken soup and Matzo balls that are also at the end of the book.