A Rugrats Chanukah

PreS-Gr 2--Babies Tommy, Phil, Lil, and Chuckie are bewildered: Tommy's mom is making pancakes at night, Grandma Minka is reading to the babies all about the "Maccababies," Grandpa Boris is giving out chocolate money, the candles are burning, and Tommy is getting gifts. Is it Tommy's birthday? No, it's Chanukah! This is a picture book adaptation of the series' laugh-out-loud holiday special. When the kids overhear that Grandpa is going to be in a play all about the "meaning of Chanukah," they interpret it as the "meany of Chanukah." The babies hope to put this meany down for a nap! In a classic Rugrats style, this Chanukah book is filled with punny humor and lots of comedic misunderstandings. Interspersed throughout is a retelling of the story of Chanukah with Tommy as Judah the Maccabee and Angelica as the king of the ancient Greeks who persecuted the Jewish people. Illustrations create a Chanukah ambiance, with images of dreidels, menorahs, Stars of David, and a banner that reads "Festival of Lights." VERDICT A fun Chanukah addition to a library collection, especially where books based on television shows are well-circulated.--Danielle Winter, Brooklyn P.L., NY