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quippeThe Blurb On The Back:
Leora loves everything about Hanukkah, the candles, the food … and especially Bubba and Zaida’s stories.
And this year she has a very special wish … but will it come true and make this the happiest Hanukkah ever?
Leora and her younger brother Bernard both love Hanukkah, especially when their grandparents Bubba and Zaida arrive because then everything gets noisy and fun. This year Zaida wants to light the candles on the Hanukkah (the special Hanukkah candle holder) but as her Zaida says, it’s a big responsibility. As her grandmother explains why they celebrate Hanukkah, Zaida waits to see if this year she’ll get to fulfil her special wish …
Ivor Baddiel and Kathryn Selbert’s picture book (part of a series on faith/ethnic holidays) explains what Hanukkah involves and why it’s celebrated and Selbert’s colourful illustrations bring the family bond to life. My only criticism is that I didn’t quite understand why Leora was so intent on lighting the candle and why it was important to her but otherwise it’s a solid way of introducing the holiday to young readers who are unfamiliar with it.
I picked this up because I am shamefully ignorant of Hanukkah and while I knew that it took place over 8 days and involved lighting candles and presents, I didn’t know why it was celebrated or what else was done for the festival. This picture book is great at setting out all the different parts that go to the Hanukkah celebration, including the food and the name given to the candle holder and the blessing that’s spoken. Baddiel’s text really gets across all the different elements to the holiday, but I did wish it gave a bit more of a sense of why it was so important to Leora that she light the candle, for example what it represented to her or whether there is some special significance to it.
I enjoyed Selbert’s use of colour in the illustrations, which are bright and give a great sense of the love and connection between all 3 generations of Leora’s family. I also enjoyed the way the tones change between Leora and her family enjoying the holiday and Zaida telling the story of the first lamp.
All in all it’s a great way for young readers to get a sense of the holiday and why it is so important. There are 3 other books in the series about Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year and I’d be happy to check them out on the strength of this book.
The Verdict:
Ivor Baddiel and Kathryn Selbert’s picture book (part of a series on faith/ethnic holidays) explains what Hanukkah involves and why it’s celebrated and Selbert’s colourful illustrations bring the family bond to life. My only criticism is that I didn’t quite understand why Leora was so intent on lighting the candle and why it was important to her but otherwise it’s a solid way of introducing the holiday to young readers who are unfamiliar with it.
THE HAPPIEST HANUKKAH was released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
Leora loves everything about Hanukkah, the candles, the food … and especially Bubba and Zaida’s stories.
And this year she has a very special wish … but will it come true and make this the happiest Hanukkah ever?
Leora and her younger brother Bernard both love Hanukkah, especially when their grandparents Bubba and Zaida arrive because then everything gets noisy and fun. This year Zaida wants to light the candles on the Hanukkah (the special Hanukkah candle holder) but as her Zaida says, it’s a big responsibility. As her grandmother explains why they celebrate Hanukkah, Zaida waits to see if this year she’ll get to fulfil her special wish …
Ivor Baddiel and Kathryn Selbert’s picture book (part of a series on faith/ethnic holidays) explains what Hanukkah involves and why it’s celebrated and Selbert’s colourful illustrations bring the family bond to life. My only criticism is that I didn’t quite understand why Leora was so intent on lighting the candle and why it was important to her but otherwise it’s a solid way of introducing the holiday to young readers who are unfamiliar with it.
I picked this up because I am shamefully ignorant of Hanukkah and while I knew that it took place over 8 days and involved lighting candles and presents, I didn’t know why it was celebrated or what else was done for the festival. This picture book is great at setting out all the different parts that go to the Hanukkah celebration, including the food and the name given to the candle holder and the blessing that’s spoken. Baddiel’s text really gets across all the different elements to the holiday, but I did wish it gave a bit more of a sense of why it was so important to Leora that she light the candle, for example what it represented to her or whether there is some special significance to it.
I enjoyed Selbert’s use of colour in the illustrations, which are bright and give a great sense of the love and connection between all 3 generations of Leora’s family. I also enjoyed the way the tones change between Leora and her family enjoying the holiday and Zaida telling the story of the first lamp.
All in all it’s a great way for young readers to get a sense of the holiday and why it is so important. There are 3 other books in the series about Eid, Diwali and Chinese New Year and I’d be happy to check them out on the strength of this book.
The Verdict:
Ivor Baddiel and Kathryn Selbert’s picture book (part of a series on faith/ethnic holidays) explains what Hanukkah involves and why it’s celebrated and Selbert’s colourful illustrations bring the family bond to life. My only criticism is that I didn’t quite understand why Leora was so intent on lighting the candle and why it was important to her but otherwise it’s a solid way of introducing the holiday to young readers who are unfamiliar with it.
THE HAPPIEST HANUKKAH was released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
