It’s the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of Spring!
And what better to share than a book about Easter and Passover, both of which will be here before you know it?
I’ll tell you what’s better! You get the chance to win a signed copy of the book from author Janie Emaus! Just leave a comment on today’s post by Thursday March 30 at 3PM Eastern and you will be entered in the random drawing!
Now, let’s have a look at Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls and all the other Perfect Picture Books for this week!
Title: Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls
Written By: Janie Emaus
Illustrated By: Bryan Langdo
Written & Illustrated By:
Publisher: Sky Pony Press, January 31, 2023, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-6
Themes/Topics: holidays (Easter and Passover), family
Opening:
“To: Easterbunny@19BurrowAve.com
From: Michael@myhome.com
Dear Easter Bunny,
I’ve always celebrated Easter, but my new stepsister, Anna, celebrates Passover. I want her to have something special in the Golden Egg when you bring it. If I think of something, I’ll let you know.
From,
Michael”
text copyright Janie Emaus 2023, illustration copyright Bryan Langdo 2023, Sky Pony Press
Brief Synopsis: From the publisher: “In this humorous and endearing picture book, blending both Easter and Passover, a young boy and his stepsister realize celebrating together (or hunting together for Easter Eggs and the Afikoman) makes the holidays even better.”
Links To Resources: the back of the book has recipes for chicken soup and matzo balls, and a glossary of Passover and Easter terms; try coloring Easter eggs with some Passover symbols; Passover Activities for Kids; Easter Activities for Kids
text copyright Janie Emaus 2023, illustration copyright Bryan Langdo 2023, Sky Pony Press
Why I Like This Book: This is a cute story about a newly blended family. One child has grown up celebrating Easter, the other, Passover. On a mission to make Easter fun for his new sister, Michael enlists the aid of the Easter Bunny and tries to figure out what could be put in the special Golden Egg that would make Anna happy. Alas, each idea he comes up with is impossible for the Easter Bunny to fit into the egg! Meanwhile, he is annoying Anna by following her around and asking questions! In the end, they both come to realize that whether they’re hunting for Easter eggs or Afikomen it is more fun together, and that the real gift is each other. A story that does a nice job of showing both Easter and Passover along with a relatable blended family.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 And don’t forget to leave a comment by Thursday at 3PM if you’d like a chance to win a copy of this book!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, I love this as a new way to approach a blending of family. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for the heads up.
My pleasure, Maria! Janie has a Christmas one too!
Hi Maria – Thanks for stopping by! I think you’ll like my blended holiday stories.
I like the combination of the two religious holidays in one book.
Isn’t it a great idea, Bru? There are so many families that celebrate more than one holiday!
Thanks so much! There are so many families that celebrate more than one holiday.
Wow – lots of levels in a great read aloud! Thanks.
You’re welcome, Robin!
Hi Robin – Thanks so much!
Perfect timing for this heartfelt book! Congratulations, Janie and Bryan!
It IS perfect timing, Kim! Only two weeks away! I wonder if you’ll get matzo in an Easter egg…? 😊
Hi Kim – Thanks so much! I love working with Bryan. He’s a great illustrator.
This looks delightful & perfect for families who celebrate both holidays (or who want to expose their children to both religious traditions).
So exactly true, Patricia! So many families will enjoy this and can benefit!
And there are so many families who do celebrate both traditions. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Totally agree: great idea to blend the two holidays. So smart. ❤️
It really is, CJ. There are so many families that celebrate more than one set of religious holidays!
This looks great! What a great way to teach children about different religious holidays!
That is an excellent point, Teresa – this book isn’t only for families who celebrate more than one set of holidays, it’s great for children learning about religious holidays they might not know about.
So true, no matter the tradition, things are so much fun when you can do/share them together! A perfect book to kick off spring!
So true, Jilanne! Together is better! 😊
Congratulations Janie and Bryan! I look forward to reading your book about the heart of sharing together–no matter the differences.
Sharing and togetherness, Charlotte, so important! Exactly right 😊
This book is so interesting. We learn about 2 holidays, living in a blended family and holiday traditions . My grandchildren will love it.
I hope they will! We’ll see where the random giveaway finger lands. . . 😊
Thanks for the comment Susanna! We are a blended family. Many years ago my husband and I adopted our two foster children as they were with us for 6 years and we were mom and dad to them. They joined our 2 children and we became a family of 6. We love blended families.
What a wonderful story! So heart-warming the way your family came together. I was adopted too! 😊
Hi – I hope our grandchildren enjoy the book. And there the recipe in the back.
Holiday books are always in demand and this one combining two holidays is genius! What a great way to take a unique approach to holiday themed books as well as give it a deeper universal message of a blended family celebrating each other’s differences.
It really is, Danielle. And Janie has another one for Christmas as well – Latkes For Santa Claus 😊
This is a “Perfect Pick” for Perfect Picture Book Friday! It highlights both Religious Spring holidays plus a story about a blended family! Congratulations, Janie and Bryan! 🙂 Looking forward to reading it!
It was a great idea for a book, wasn’t it Susan? 😊
Congratulations Janie! I love the combination of two holidays and that the story highlights a blended family. The illustrations by Bryan are awesome. Can’t wait to check it out!
I hope you’ll get a chance to read it, Laura!
Hi Laura – Thanks for your kind words! I hope you like my books! Happy Spring.
What a lovely combo! So many families celebrate more than one holiday at the same time. Perfect!