THE MYSTERIOUS MISSING MATZOH

How can matzoh go missing?

At the Cohen family’s seder on the first night of Passover, Grandpa Murray follows tradition and breaks the middle piece of matzoh into two. He wraps the larger piece—the afikomen—in a napkin and goes to hide it. Grandpa considers, then rejects, several places. When he hears his favorite word—soup—called out, he abandons his efforts, returning to the table. After everyone finishes reading the Haggadah and eats, the four grandkids hunt for the afikomen but have no luck. Grandpa Murray sheepishly admits he forgot the hiding place; Grandma Norma says it must be found so that they can finish the seder. Three grandkids continue searching, but one, David, hugs Grandpa consolingly. But what’s this? A cracking sound! It’s not Grandpa’s ribs; it’s the sound of matzoh, coming from Grandpa’s pocket! Afterward, per tradition, everyone eats some afikomen, and the seder ends. This warm, jocular Passover story is enlivened by crisp, spare cartoon illustrations, drawn with pen and ink; color was added digitally. Humorously, matzoh can be found throughout the book: The word matzoh on the title page is made from broken matzoh pieces, while the endpapers feature matzoh plus bowls of matzoh-ball soup. Even the onomatopoeic “KERR-ACK” issuing from Grandpa’s pocket resembles the titular food. Some family members are pale-skinned; some have light tan skin.

A cheery Passover story, destined to become a holiday favorite.