Heather — No, Miriam — Has a Sweet Passover

Lesléa Newman is best known as the author of the first children’s book to feature LGBT parents, Heather Has Two Mommies, as well as other LGBT-inclusive picture books, including Mommy, Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, and Me; and Donovan’s Big Day. The prolific author’s latest book, A Sweet Passover, does not feature an LGBT family, but is nonetheless a charming tale worthy of consideration by readers here.

During Passover, Miriam is happy to spend time with her parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But by the last day of the holiday, she is thoroughly sick of matzo (the flat, unleavened cracker eaten in lieu of bread) and ready to give it up forever. Her wise grandfather convinces her to try his matzo brei, or fried matzo—think french toast made with softened matzo—and stirs in some lessons about the meaning of the holiday.

The recipe included in the book is from Newman’s own father. Over at her publisher’s blog, she writes about making matzo brei with him. The post makes me smile—both my son and I used to help my dad make it as well, and we liked it so much we would ask him to make it for us throughout the year. My dad passed away last fall, but I made matzo brei with my son last week, in his honor.

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