The Parakeet Named Dreidel

September 14, 2015
In this newly illustrated tale from Singer’s 1980 collection The Power of Light, a stray parakeet appears at the window of a Brooklyn family on the cold and snowy eighth night of Hanukkah. That’s odd enough, but this is no ordinary bird: it loves to play with dreidels (hence the name the family gives it) and speaks Yiddish—especially the phrase “Zeldele, geh schlofen” (“Zeldele, go to sleep”). Nine years with Dreidel as a beloved pet pass, and the family’s son goes to college, where he falls in love with a “beautiful and gifted” girl who turns out to be none other than the parrot’s original owner herself. Newcomer Berkson contributes largely straightforward ink-and-watercolor interpretations of the action, but the wit and wonder that has always animated Singer’s matter-of-factly magical world shines through. Ages 5–8.

September 1, 2015
Singer's short story, first published in The Power of Light (1980) and now fully illustrated in a new picture-book version, depicts family, love, and marriage. A lost, Yiddish-speaking parakeet arrives on the windowsill of David's Brooklyn apartment, most likely attracted by the light of the family's menorah. Unable to find its rightful owner, the family keeps the pet, and it quickly becomes an integral part of their lives for the next nine years. Berkson uses black-outlined soft watercolors to extend each development in the story beyond the original apartment-window scene. The flurry of activity created by the bird's sudden appearance in the family's quiet holiday evening is depicted with a series of vignettes around the text. A double-page spread emulating a photo album delineates David's growth. These "photos" highlight music and art lessons, baseball, a growth chart, bar mitzvah, and graduation, all in black and white with only the green-and-yellow tint of Dreidel's feathers and the bird's red beak in each image. The presence of the parakeet in the boy's life continues with Dreidel's reunion with his original owner, now David's new bride. A Chagall-like painting of the happy couple in joyful bliss floating through the sky with baby and Dreidel in tow adds a final touch of romance. Berkson's illustrations give this sweet tale a new life and a new audience. (Picture book. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2015

K-Gr 3-In this picture book version of a story first published by Singer as part of a collection, a father relates the story of the time, 10 years ago, that his young son David rescued a parakeet that appeared on their snowy windowsill on the last evening of Hanukkah. Dreidel, as the family named him, is a friendly, tame bird that even speaks a bit of Yiddish ("Zeldele, go to sleep"); the family is overjoyed when no one answers any of their notices advertising a lost bird. Ten years go by, with Dreidel a beloved family member, and then David goes off to college-where he tells the story of Dreidel at a party and a young woman exclaims, "I am this Zeldele!" David and Zelda get married and Dreidel the matchmaker goes off to live with them. VERDICT Friendly cartoon watercolor illustrations and the father's warm, understated narration make this a wonderful choice for a family lapsit and a read-aloud over the holiday season or anytime.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2015
Grades K-3 David and his family are celebrating the final night of Hanukkah when a parakeet appears outside their Brooklyn window. Dad lets the bird inside, where it makes itself at home eating millet from a saucer, playing dreidel, and speaking Yiddish. When a found poster yields no replies, the family decides to adopt the bird, naming it Dreidel. Nine years later, David recounts the parakeet's story at a college Hanukkah party and is shocked to discover that fellow student Zelda lost her parakeet on the same night. A tearful reunion follows, and the dilemma of who should claim the bird is resolved when David and Zelda marry. Originally published in Singer's Hanukkah collection The Power of Light (1980), this story makes a successful transition to the picture-book format. Berkson's black line and watercolor illustrations enhance the text, adding plausible scenes that don't appear in the original. A final Chagall-like illustration depicts David, Zelda, Dreidel, and a baby flying through the air with a menorah. Perfect for family holiday sharing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)