Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls

To: The Easter Bunny
From: Michael

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.

While waiting for an answer, Michael annoys Anna by following her around hoping for inspiration. But Anna has her own problem: her Passover items are missing.

Each time she can’t find something, Michael has an “aha” moment and is certain he has discovered what to put in the egg . . . only to hear back from the Easter Bunny that the item won’t fit.

In the end, Michael does more than find something special to put inside the Golden Egg—he saves Anna’s favorite part of the Passover seder.

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.

Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls includes a glossary of Easter and Passover terms and concludes with recipes of Anna and Michael's favorite holiday foods ready for children to replicate in their own kitchens.

Janie Emaus is the author of the picture book Latkes for Santa Claus and the novel The Time Traveling Matchmaker. Her essays and stories have been published in numerous magazines, anthologies, and websites. She resides in Winnetka, California, where she celebrates both Passover and Easter in the spring and Hanukkah and Christmas in winter. Her blended family is the inspiration for her stories.

Bryan Langdo has illustrated more than forty books for children, including Latkes for Santa Claus and Tornado Slim and the Magic Cowboy Hat, which he also wrote. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, their two teenagers, three cats, and three dogs.

"It’s refreshing to read a story about a stepfamily that has so little conflict. . . . The pictures . . . have a simple, childlike charm, with circles for people’s heads and wavy lines for their arms. Characters are tan-skinned. Readers may appreciate the spirit of religious harmony . . ." —Kirkus

"What could be better than a joyful picture book that celebrates Easter or Passover? A joyful picture book that celebrates both! Sprinkled with the customs and symbols of each holiday, Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls adds a layer of mystery and a bit of magic that will keep readers turning the pages to discover what the children in this blended family will find in the Golden Egg." —Vivian Kirkfield, author of Pippa's Passover Plate

"A wonderful representation of the love of stepsiblings and blending honored holiday celebrations. The recipes included at the end are sure to help create lasting connections and learning experiences." -Hannah Bruner, author of What Makes a Family?

Praise for Latkes for Santa Claus

"This charming story has all the ingredients of a sweet and tender perennial holiday classic. With whimsical rhymes, kid-friendly text, and illustrations guaranteed to appeal to little ones, this delicious book combines the traditions of Hanukah and Christmas in a way children, as well as their parents, won’t soon forget. What’s more, the latkes and sugar cookie recipes are the icing on the cake. I have twelve nieces and nephews, who will, for sure, find this yummy book among their holiday gifts." —Allia Zobel Nolan, author of What I Like About Me: A Book About Acceptance and Cat Confessions: A Kitty Come Clean Tell All Book

"Latkes for Santa Claus is a joyful, engaging read perfect for culturally blended families and delightful for all readers. The playful rhymes will keep kids giggling, and the delicious recipes especially add a wonderful touch for anyone who might want to leave a treat for Santa."  —Jess Rinker, author of Gloria Takes a Stand and Send a Girl

"Ideal for blended families, but definitely delightful for anyone to read, Laktes for Santa Claus is a clever Hanukkah meets Christmas spin on leaving cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Even if it’s not Chrismukkah (when Christmas and Hanukkah overlap), this picture book still shows a way for Jewish children living with a non-Jewish step-sibling and/or step-parent how fun it is to share a bit of their Jewish holiday traditions during Christmastime. . . . I enjoyed every page of this charming new picture book because it showed how there is not only room for compromise in every family, but how easily a new tradition can be created bringing everyone closer." —Good Reads with Ronna