1 comments about Reudor's the Doodled Family Haggadah (The Doodled Family).

1. Extremly informative with loads of fun for the family to appreciate. An excellent gift for yourself and anyone you know. Provides very good tips on Passover.

3 comments about Disney's Winnie the Pooh and the Hanukkah Dreidel (Mouse Works Holiday Board Book).

1. Political correctness has really gone too far. Why can't Disney stick with the characters and stories created by A.A. Milne?



2. I found this book to be a wonderful addition to my son's collection when he was very small. Now that he is 3, he has outgrown it. I think the book is fine but the age group that is listed for it is way off base. It is a board book and is good for children around 12 months of age who will love the colorful pictures and enjoy being sung to by one of their parents.



3. We received this book as a gift and believe me, we wouldn't have bought it otherwise. It's basically the text of the song, "I Have a Little Dreidel," with illustrations of Winnie the Pooh characters. It's a shame that the author had to resort to one of the only widely known Hanukkah songs to come up with inspiration for this book instead of trying to at least create an interesting story using these characters. Do yourself a favor and buy another book...don't waste your money.

2 comments about Secret Seder, The.

1. The Secret Seder receives Emily Arnold McCully's realistic illustrations as it tells of one Jacques, who is hiding from Nazis in a small village in France, pretending to be Catholics. They haven't given up their beliefs, and Jacques is determined to celebrate Passover with his father, risking his life to attend a secret seder in the mountains.



2. The Secret Seder is the story of a young Jewish boy's experience during the time of Nazi Germany. It vividly portrays the fears that were prevalent among Jews at that time. Even the Passover Seder had to be observed in secret.
   
   The book is very well written and the portrayal of events is very accurate. The somber watercolor illustrations add to the darkness of the story.
   
   Although I feel that this is a well-done book, I do not believe that the subject matter is appropriate for a five-year-old as the age recommendation indicates. Some of the text may be too harsh for such a young reader: "Papa yanks me into an alley. The clicking is closer and louder. Papa pulls out the knife. I hold my breath..." This may be a more appropriate book for a child who is eight or nine years old.

No comments about On The First Night Of Chanukah.

2 comments about Stone Lamp, The: Eight Stories Of Hanukkah Through History.

1. I loved the idea of this book, and the cover was gorgeous. But the actual contents are exceptionally grim and are written in horrible "poetry," each told from the point of view of a child ruminating about his or her gruesome circumstances. The result is writing that is both depressing and static, and the "stories" aren't stories at all but the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of a child over the span of about five minutes.
   
   Unfortunately, the only attractive picture is the one on the cover, so not even the illustrations can save it.
   
   Alternative:
   Esther's Story by by Diane Wolkstein
   
   Truly jaw-dropping pictures and a fabulous retelling of the story.



2. I found this book in the library recently, and after reading it last night, I went online to order my own copy. The author beautifully and movingly traces the triumph of good over evil through the centuries. The glowing paintings underscore the love of Judaism that kept each storyteller strong in the face of adversity and committed to the fight for survival. I look forward to creating a new tradition this Hanukkah by reading one story each night with my family.

No comments about Happy Hanukkah, Dear Dragon (Beginning-to-Read; Dear Dragon).

No comments about Hanukkah (Fiestas Con Velas).

3 comments about Where Is the Afikomen?.

1. We loved reading this book to my nephew before his first Passover. As he gets older, he'll appreciate the "hunt" of finding the afikomen! A cute story for introducing a child to the traditions of Pesach.



2. I bought this charming, 10 page picturebook to give to my one-year old granddaughter at our Passover Seder. However, I enjoyed the colorful illustrations and whimsical humor so much, that I read the book to her before the holidays. And as she saw the little girl in the book looking for "something" under, in, on top of, and next to, familiar objects, she was captivated by the pictures. I am not sure that she understands what an "afikomen" is, but she most certainly likes the book....and recognizes that matzah is something to eat!



3. This is a very simple book which is great for very young children. My only complaint would be that it does not explain why children look for the Afikomen, or explain any of the objects it shows (Elijah's cup, the Haggadah, etc.) But this book does interest my 1 year old son. He seems to understand that it is fun and exciting to search for something, and follows the search in the book avidly. I would say that this story is best for the very young, and for older children, you may want a book that is more "in depth" about Pesach.

1 comments about Celebra Hanukkah con un cuento de Bubbe / Celebrate Hanukkah with with Bubbe's Tales (Cuentos Para Celebrar / Stories to Celebrate).

1. I read this book to my class. It is easy to read and enjoyable. Also has a info section in the back that explains the details of the holiday as well as a story about the holiday.

2 comments about What Is Hanukkah? (A Lift-the-Flap Story).

1. The nice thing about this story is the element of family togetherness. Josh's mom and dad teach him the story of Hannukah, help him light the menorah, recite the blessing and play dreidel. Grandma and Grandpa come over for a family dinner that includes latkes n'applesauce. Modest gifts are exchanged and the book ends with the kids singing, "I Have a Little Dreidel". Lift up flaps make the story even more fun.



2. I had been looking for a book about Hanukkah for my 3-year old son to take to pre-school to share with his non-Jewish friends. I have looked at many and this one was perfect. It simply explains the story of Hanukkah and several of the traditions (lighting candles, eating latkes, playing driedel, etc.). The flaps also make it fun to read.