Hanukkah in little Havana

When the annual December shipment of oranges doesn't arrive from Nonna and Nonno, this picture book's young narrator wonders about the missing bounty in this solidly familial portrayal of Sephardic Jewish traditions. Instead of the citrus arriving by post, the child's family drives all night from chilly Maryland to Miami to spend Hanukkah with grandparents in Little Havana. The relations, portrayed with varying skin tones, spend a smiling eight days picking and juicing oranges, visiting the beach, and eating latkes. When Nonna, snazzy in a crop-top ensemble, makes buñuelos, the giggly kids cover the treats--and themselves--with the "snow" of sifted sugar. Aguilera's tropically hued illustrations exude the heady joys of a warm climate, holiday home cooking, and unconditional love. An author's note discusses the story's roots; a Ladino and Yiddish glossary concludes. Ages 4--9. (Oct.)

A Maryland family spends Hanukkah with their Nonna and Nonno (the Ladino names for grandparents) in Miami's Little Havana. The lighthearted text takes them through their sun-kissed holiday: they run on the beach, spin a dreidel "on cool patio tiles," and enjoy mouthwateringly described bunuelos alongside their latkes. Vividly colored illustrations add to the sense that this welcome Sephardic celebration is both a loving family visit and an exciting vacation. Back matter includes a glossary and an author's note about Blank's childhood memories of Ladino-speaking Cuban Jews from her visits to Miami. A handful of minor errors appear, including a dreidel with letters out of order. Shoshana Flax November/December 2022 p.12(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.