Lots of Latkes

September 22, 2003
Lanton's (Daddy's Chair) bland paper-over-board tale asks children to identify with its elderly characters, one of whom (Rivka Leah) invites four others to a Hanukkah party and asks each to bring something to go along with the latkes she'll be serving. Moshe, who has a cow, plans to make sour cream; Chana, who tends an orchard, signs up for the apple sauce; and so on. Moshe's cow kicks over the cream; Chana's apples all prove rotten; and so on once again, until all four friends, not wanting to show up empty-handed, present Rivka Leah with their own batches of latkes. Redenbaugh's (Button, Bucket, Sky) illustrations are inconsistent in their characterizations, and nearly as flat as the plotting. Ages 3-8.

October 1, 2003
K-Gr 3-Long ago in a faraway village, an old woman invites her friends to a Hanukkah dinner. Each guest plans to bring something to share-sour cream, applesauce, fish, and jelly doughnuts-but a series of mishaps results in each of them contributing latkes instead. The friends have a good time anyway, celebrating the holiday with a dreidel, songs, dancing -and lots of latkes. Cartoon illustrations in soft colors are appropriate for the lighthearted story. Use this as a read-aloud in library, family, and Jewish school settings.-V. W.

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.