Matzah Man to the Rescue!

PreS-Gr 2--An 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