Review by Booklist Review
When Matilda helps her grandmother make matzah-ball soup, not everything goes perfectly--at least, not the first time. Yet, the ever-supportive Bubbe encourages all of Matilda's big ideas. Even when Matilda's giant matzah ball sinks, Bubbe helps Matilda resiliently keep experimenting. In the end, Matilda uses beets to turn the soup pink and cookie cutters to shape moon- and star-shaped matzah balls. Cohen's story, though somewhat slight, emphasizes the bond between grandmother and granddaughter and the balance between tradition and innovation in a way that will charm many young (and some not-so-young) readers. Galmozzi's playful illustrations feature cartoonish figures and bright colors to emphasize the joy Bubbe and Matilda find cooking together. The illustrations even bring to life the out-of-this-world metaphors that are central to the story--though some people might initially mistake the jar of beets for horseradish. Still, this soup-er story will wow creative young chefs. Pair with Kat Zhang's Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao (2019) and Patricia Tanumihardja's Ramen for Everyone (2023) for different culinary traditions with the same can-do spirit.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bubbe has asked her granddaughter Matilda, both portrayed with light skin, to help make the prized "fluffy, floating, round-as-the-moon matzah balls" for the Passover seder--"the start of a new Passover family tradition," Cohen writes. With buoyant cartoons by Galmozzi that alternate between scenes of the two cooking and close-up framings of their culinary handiwork, Matilda enthusiastically proffers her ideas for improving the recipe--making one giant matzo ball and lots of little ones in the shapes of stars, and creating pink soup by adding beet juice. To Bubbe's great credit, she's never doctrinaire or naysaying, though she occasionally looks bemused. "It's all right, bubbalah," she tells Matilda when the giant matzo ball sinks. "The nice thing about experimenting is you can always try again." A slight, sweet tribute to the joys of intergenerational, open-minded home cooking. Ages 4--7. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--A story that celebrates the intergenerational bond between a girl and her bubbe (grandma) as they prepare matzah ball soup for Passover. Matilda is excited. She loves watching Bubbe make matzah ball soup, and this year she gets to help! Bubbe patiently walks her through the steps, indulgently encouraging additions to the recipe, but when Matilda decides to make one giant ball, Bubbe is skeptical. When the ball sinks like lead, Bubbe tells her it is okay. They can try again. This time, Matilda makes her balls star-shaped, using cookie cutters, and adds beet juice. This version is "out of this world." The story is simple, and Bubbe gently supports, encourages, and consoles Matilda by turns, celebrating her creativity and perseverance. The text is concise and readable if a bit unoriginal and uninspired. The art is cartoony, appealingly reminiscent of Lisa Campbell Ernst's work, and Galmozzi utilizes different points of view, including close-ups, to focus in on the process and spot art to move the story. Matilda is depicted with brown pigtails, while Bubbe is curvy with short, curly gray hair and an engaging smile. Many of the backgrounds are predominantly white, allowing the central characters and action to pop. This pleasant story depicts a lovely intergenerational bond; however, it has very little to do with Passover itself, and, while sweet, is not outstanding. VERDICT This amiable but unremarkable story would make a decent additional purchase for libraries in need of more Jewish representation. Others can pass.--Amy Lilien-Harper
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Jewish child and her grandmother make chicken soup with matzah balls, a dish that's essential to Jewish cuisine, especially for holiday meals. This Passover, Matilda will help Bubbe make the traditional soup for the first time. Bubbe supplies an apron, and they hum as they mix the ingredients. Matilda has lots of great ideas to jazz up the recipe, and Bubbe is agreeable and encouraging. Sure, Matilda can add lemon and extra dill to the matzah ball mix. Then they put the mixture in the refrigerator to chill. Matilda has another very big idea. What if they make one giant matzah ball instead of the normal small, round, moon-shaped balls? Bubbe is a bit skeptical, wondering if it will float, but as always, she's ready to give Matilda free rein. Of course, the heavyweight matzah ball immediately sinks to the bottom of the pot. Bubbe soothes Matilda's disappointment, reminding her that she can try again. The child's enthusiasm and her grandmother's unconditional love and acceptance shine through in this tale of culinary traditions. Gray-haired Bubbe and brown-haired, pigtailed Matilda (both are light-skinned) are wonderfully exuberant in Galmozzi's bright, action-packed, detailed cartoons. Watch for the all-important box of matzah meal that appears prominently throughout the proceedings. Whether or not readers are familiar with matzah ball soup, they will connect with this family's loving preparation of traditional foods. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Tender, warmhearted, and delightful. (recipe for matzah ball soup) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
