Too Many Cooks

December 1, 2000
PreS-Gr 2-Anyone who has ever celebrated a family holiday in which food is a key component will appreciate this clever picture book. At issue is Bubbie's rather bland charoses for the seder. The traditional blend of apples, nuts, cinnamon, and sweet wine or grape juice has left visiting family members disappointed in the past, so each one decides to add a surprise ingredient, including Bubbie. In the truest tradition of "miracles," the day is saved when two unexpected callers deliver a special batch of their charoses. Humorous illustrations lend support to the frenzied goings-on in this busy household, and the artist lets readers feel the excitement and happy anticipation of the holiday. Some basic information on Passover and a recipe for "Non-Atrocious Charoses" are appended. Add Too Many Cooks to Deborah Miller's Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover (Kar-Ben Copies, 1982), Carla Heymsfeld's The Matzah Ball Fairy (UAHC, 1996), and Leslea Newman's Matzo Ball Moon (Clarion, 1998) for a funny-bone-tickling holiday program.-Leslie Millrod, Westhampton Free Library, NY

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