2 comments about Eight Wild Nights: A Family Hanukkah Tale.

1. With a clever rhyme scheme and expressive, animated illustrations, a young boy tells about all of the wild, crazy, and funny things that happen when family and friends invade his home during the eight nights of Hanukkah. The neighbor's dog chases the cat and nearly knocks over the menorah, Grandpa Dave teaches the kids poker and blackjack instead of dreidel, a cousin melts chocolate gelt inside the VCR, and Aunt Rachel sings Hanukkah songs off-key. But, the text ends with "after eight days of eating, of loud noise and greeting, a great miracle's happened here: we're quiet and calm, and all getting along, and we can't wait to do it next year!" While some of the humor may be lost on younger children, elementary-aged children will laugh and giggle at both the text and pictures in this refreshing and hilarious Hanukkah tale. Ages 5 - 10. Reviewed by Rachel Kamim



2. During the eight days of Hanukkah, a family celebrates with a wide circle of family and friends in this rollicking story. Using clever and catchy rhymes, Cleary tells of a holiday filled with food, stories, mishaps and fun. A dog drools and sheds, Grandpa Dave teaches the kids to play poker, a cousin melts the gelt in an old VCR, and Uncle Morris shows up with seventeen new step-cousins. It's enough to make anyone crazy, but somehow all the tumult just adds to the fun, and Hanukkah has never been so exciting. Udovic's exuberant illustrations are highly expressive and convey the joyous nature of the holiday. An introduction briefly tells the story of Hanukkah and describes how it is celebrated. REVIEWED BY NANCY AUSTEIN (Temple Emanu-El - Dallas, TX)

2 comments about Matzah Ball: A Passover Story (Passover).

1. My son couldn't get enough of this book. Its baseball "spin" is captivating, especially at a time of the year when many are beginning to think about or enjoy the sport. I especially liked the message that being a Jew isn't always easy, but it is important to "do the right thing."



2. Aaron is excited when he is invited to join other members of his softball team at a major league baseball game, but his feelings quickly turn to disappointment when his mother points out that since the game takes place during Passover, Aaron will have to take a kosher-for-Passover bag lunch with him instead of buying all the usual ballpark goodies. Things go from bad to worse when his (non-Jewish) friends eat up all of his matzah, macaroons, etc., and then leave him alone as they go off to the concession stand. Suddenly, a mysterious old man shows up to befriend the unhappy Aaron and recounts his childhood visits to Ebbets Field during Passover, when the stands were filled with kids eating matzah. He hands Aaron a piece of his own matzah, which the boy then uses to miraculously catch a home run ball. But when Aaron turns around to thank his benefactor, the old man is gone. Can it be...??? I have read this book aloud with great success to many kindergarteners and first graders in my yeshiva library--the boys really get a kick out of combining Passover and baseball.

1 comments about Dinosaur On Hanukkah.

1. My grandson LOVED this book. He is 6, in first grade,a lover of words & an excellent reader. He read & reread this book so many times to his parents. He even took it to school to share with his classmates and teacher. Even if your child is not a reader, they will love this book. This was his all-time favorite Hanukkah book.

2 comments about Passover Around the World (Passover).

1. Thought this was a lovely and interesting way to learn about Passover
   around the world. The receipes make it a fun book for the parents. The
   illustrations and maps make it very real for any age. They are very
   beautiful and educational. This book makes a great gift for grand-
   parents to give to their grandchildren.



2. After briefly telling the story of Passover: a celebration of freedom, and devoting a double-page spread to the special foods and objects which go on every Seder table worldwide, Lehman-Wilzig explores different Passover customs in eight countries around the world. There is a boxed paragraph of facts about each country, and individual stories showing families following their traditions in: America, Gibraltar, Ethiopia, Morocco, Turkey, India, Iran, and Israel, with a Seder on a kibbutz. She includes Passover recipes from around the world, such as "Diane Ben -Efraim's Kneidels" from Israel, "Good Morning Matzah Brie," "Yummy Mashed Potato Kugel", and "Granny Fanny's Cold Egg Soup," from America, as well as "Savta Mazal's Stuffed Dates" from Morocco, and "Madre's Burmelos" from Turkey. A section called Passover Potpourri provides more interesting brief information about different Passover customs in Egypt, Hungary, Poland, Ashkenazi customs from Europe, and customs practiced by possible descendents of Crypto Jews in Texas and Mexico. Handsomely illustrated with colorful maps and gently muted paintings which support the informative, well-organized text, the book ends with a Glossary in which most of the words are translated from Hebrew, as well as Yiddish, Farsi, and Spanish. This can be used by teachers with their classes, and by parents to give them new ideas for recipes and traditions to add to their Passover celebrations. For ages 8 - 12.

No comments about Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah (Picture Puffin Books).

3 comments about One Yellow Daffodil: A Hanukkah Story.

1. This emotionally engaging story is partly about Hanukkah andpartly about the Holocaust, but is mostly about real people and realfeelings. Morris Kaplan, a lonely man who is a Holocaust survivor, is very kind to Jonathan and Ilana, a brother and sister who come to his flower shop regularly to buy flowers, by giving them more flowers than they actually have the money for. A friendship develops and the children invite Mr. Kaplan to their home to help celebrate Hanukkah. This small kindness changes Morris Kaplan's life---and that of the family. I loved this story and the good feelings it evoked in me. I would recommend this story for all ages.



2. 30-page picture book. Slightly longer than your average picture book but still short enough for one sitting. Two children invite Morris, the flower vender, to join them for Hanukkah. The holiday brings back painful boyhood memories as he recalls the horrors of the holocaust and the last time he celebrated Hanukkah with his own family. Emotional healing begins when he shares these memories with the Becker family. A perfect introduction to the holocaust for sensitive younger audiences. The holocaust story is not graphic or overwhelming but does portray a strong sense of sadness, hopelessness and loss. Makes a good read-aloud for older students as well.



3. I love this book. I teach 3rd grade and happened upon it quite by accident. It was by far the most effective way to teach not only about Hanukkah, but also in a very age appropriate way, about the Holocaust. It lead to great discussions that day. I was moved to tears when I read it the first time. Yes, it is a story about deep grief, but also about the strength to live in unliveable situations. I highly recommend this book to anyone who teaches, who has children, or just wants to read a beautiful story of hope and renewal.

2 comments about When Mindy Saved Hanukkah (Scholastic Bookshelf).

1. We have about 10 Channukah books at our house, but none come close to capturing the spirit of this holiday evident in "When Mindy Saved Hanukkah." The story presumes a knowledge of the reason for Channukah-so you still need at least one other good book about the story of Channukah. But this book can stand on its own as an example of heroics, a model of family, and a spirit of giving. My kids love this book and we read it all year long, but because of the well written prose and the wry way the story unfolds, I enjoy it every time, as much as they do. Even more importantly, my kids sort of believe this story and my 3 year old son insists we look for the cat in the sanctuary at our synangogue, since he reasons one must exist in every temple.



2. If your children enjoy the Littles or the Borrowers, they'll love the Kleins. They are a tiny family living a big family's home and need to gather supplies for the holiday. There's just one problem...the big family owns a cat!

2 comments about On Purim.

1. This book is a great introduction and explanation of Purim. My 6 year old enjoyed it throughly- especially the interaction with Haman's name. The storytelling is both delightfully clear and detailed. It is companioned with beautifully flowing pictures. I especially appreciated the gentle smattering of Hebrew words throughout. Having a word glossary with pronuciation prompts makes this a complete resource book on Purim.



2. Cathy Goldberg Fishman's On Purim will reach ages 5 and older with a fine picturebook story of a young girl who wonders why masks are worn on Purim. Her family acts out the Purim story and provides her with newfound understanding of God.

No comments about Jodie's Hanukkah Dig (Hanukkah).

1 comments about Passover (Ultimate Sticker Books).

1. Great stickers, inexpensive enough to get a new one each year and for each kiddo to keep them occupied through the seder.