Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A luminous collection of brief free verse poems follows a pale-skinned family of five through their Hanukkah celebration. Two spreads are devoted to each night: digital artwork in rich colors and hand-painted textures portrays the reassuring warmth of both an unconditional family connection and the menorah's cumulative candlelight. The pages also include callouts on observance: "a thought for the third night" notes that "unlike Shabbat candles, which should be lit before sundown, you can light Hanukkah candles late into the night, so long as everyone is awake to see them burn." Snyder and Hatch depict a lovely range of holiday moments: on one night, the family gets a flat tire and improvises a candle-lighting with a banana menorah; on another, the youngest child and family cat watch in wide-eyed wonder as the candles "fight their endings," as "one by one,/ they flit and flame,/ dance and jump,/ then fszzzzz, all in a row." Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
One family's observation of Hanukkah, told through eight poems, one for each night. This unusually realistic and detailed window into a contemporary family's celebration provides a mirror for Jewish children and a window for readers of other backgrounds. In addition to engaging in commonly depicted traditions like lighting menorahs and sitting down to a meal with extended family, these characters order pizza, untangle decorations, and use a hair dryer to melt last year's caked-on wax off the menorah. And when an unexpected flat tire delays them, they make do by sticking candles into a banana balanced on the car hood. (The author's note dubs this a "bananukkiah.") Notably, overt gift-giving isn't depicted, which will be especially appreciated by the many Jewish families whose traditions de-emphasize presents or don't include them at all. Most of Snyder's poems are told in second person; both the art and the sweetly simple language suggest that the narrator is the youngest child. Accordingly, the verse focuses on the child's observations and sensory experiences. Each poem is followed by an informational sidebar covering a loosely related topic. These eschew basic facts and vocabulary for richer explorations such as rabbinic discourse and what time to light Hanukkah candles on Shabbat. Hatch's cozy illustrations lovingly render scenes of home and family with the feel of hand-drawn oil pastel. The main characters are light-skinned and dark-haired. Like a menorah shining in the window, a true Hanukkah treat. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
