Review: My Matzah
My Matzah
written & illustrated by Ann Diament Koffsky
Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025
Category: Board Books
Reviewer: Rebecca Greer
This simplistic board book focuses on a young koala bear trying to find the hidden matzah, also referred to as the “afikoman”. He looks high and low throughout the house as an older male koala looks on. It is only when the pair search together that it is found and can be eaten. At the end is a brief note that the afikoman is hidden during Passover and must be searched for. The question is also posed to the reader “where would you choose to hide it?” which sets up a discussion after the book is done. Clever artwork shows the fun and joy of searching for the matzah, especially once it’s found and can be eaten, through the use of onomatopoeia words “munch” and “crunch”. The story is extremely brief, with a focus on the artwork, giving a glimpse into a Passover seder. A quick and cute read for young children.
Searching for the afikoman is an authentic moment of Jewish life, but the book does not go in-depth into the holiday or its other traditions. It does not represent any particular stream of Judaism or any specific Jewish community. The story is aimed at Jewish readers familiar with Passover customs, and while it does not increase readers' understanding of the holiday, it could possibly be a jumping off point for non-Jewish readers who want to learn more.
Searching for the afikoman is an authentic moment of Jewish life, but the book does not go in-depth into the holiday or its other traditions. It does not represent any particular stream of Judaism or any specific Jewish community. The story is aimed at Jewish readers familiar with Passover customs, and while it does not increase readers' understanding of the holiday, it could possibly be a jumping off point for non-Jewish readers who want to learn more.
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Reviewer Rebecca Greer is currently a High School Library Media Specialist for Manatee School for the Arts. In her previous life, she was a Young Adult Librarian for almost ten years where she specialized in running large-scale programs, including Teen Lit Fest, an author festival in Tampa, FL. Rebecca writes book reviews for School Library Journal focusing on books for Young Adults, and several of her programs have been published in "Think Big!: A Resource Manual for Teen Library Programs That Attract Large Audiences".
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