Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!

September 19, 2011
The popular song forms the text that the Ivanovs (The Tall Book of Nursery Tales) illustrate with full-bleed spreads, with lots of traditional blue, the shining candlelight of the hanukkiah, and a white Samoyed (the Ivanovs have one) wearing a blue bow tie and doing something scene-stealing in almost every picture (dancing the hora, stealing latkes). Sheet music and a note about the song are included. Ages 3–8.

October 1, 2011

PreS-K-A traditional Hanukkah song receives a new look in this illustrated version. Each spread covers only one or two phrases (e.g., "Let's have a party"), making it easier to recite than to sing along. Colorful acrylic illustrations are kid-friendly, with smiling family members gathered round to light the menorah, dance the hora, and play dreidel, overseen by an adorable yarmulke-wearing dog. While not as creatively illustrated as Susan L. Roth's version (Dial, 2004), this pleasant book is perfect for the preschool set.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

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