Max and his dad plan to bake a surprise Passover birthday cake for his mom with a mix they have bought. Five-year-old Max, who is very excited, feels a need to hurry to make the cake to be sure it is a surprise for his mom. While he is feeding baby Trudy, he explains to her that we eat matzoh on Passover because the Jewish people had to “hurry hurry” out of Egypt and their bread did not have sufficient time to rise. He and his dad are going to bake while Trudy naps. But his little sister fusses and refuses to nap, keeping their dad busy during the time they had planned to bake. Max makes a split-second decision not to wait any longer. Having prepared frosting of cream cheese and red jam in advance, he has the idea to make an original cake, one created with layers of matzoh interspersed with layers of frosting. A candle finishes the creation, which the family brings downstairs to their mom’s painting studio. After making a wish, mom blows out the candle. Max sings “Happy Birthday” and also sings the Four Questions in Hebrew and English. He realizes that he has the power to accomplish grown-up things on his own, including creating a unique “hurry hurry” Passover cake. This charming story is followed by a recipe for the reader to make a “hurry hurry” cake of his own, an explanation of the Four Questions, and a short version of the Passover story.
Lovely wood-textured illustrations perfectly fit the story. Colorful endpapers show an exuberant Max and the cake he is planning to make. Written by award-winning author Michelle Edwards, this sweet Passover story is recommended for readers and listeners from ages 3 – 7.