Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in a modern-day, religiously observant Jewish community--geographic details in Awadish's freewheeling, marker-textured drawings point to New York City--the Steifels' slice-of-life Hanukkah story tells of classic schlemiel Mendel, portrayed with light skin and red hair, who continually provokes cries of "Oy, Mendel!" His mishaps include putting sparklers instead of candles on the menorah and setting a tray of sufganiyot on the rabbi's chair. Asked to drive the rabbi's menorah-topped Mitzvah Mobile around town and invite everyone to the big Hanukkah bash, Mendel messes up yet again, and big time--wrecking the van and causing a major traffic pileup. But when a TV reporter sticks a mic in Mendel's face and asks, "What's the story here?" he relates the history of Hanukkah and makes his community proud. The ending is like applesauce on latke: "That's what this holiday is all about," beams Mendel's rabbi, "sharing the miracles!" Back matter includes a holiday history, Yiddish glossary, and recipe. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Mendel loves Hanukkah but is prone to, and known for, making mistakes. He over-onions the latkes, for example, and uses sparklers in place of Hanukkah candles. "Oy, Mendel!" When Rabbi Klein asks him to drive the Mitzvah Mobile to spread the word about the big Hanukkah bash, everyone is nervous. Things go surprisingly well -- at first. Details in the childlike illustrations give this community lots of personality; and Mendel's personal journey very loosely mirrors the Hanukkah story in a lighthearted way. "A Brief History of Hanukkah," a glossary, and some holiday activities are appended. Elissa Gershowitz November/December 2022 p.20(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
