Hanukkah! »

Roni Schotter and Marylin Hafner collaborated on three picture books about Jewish holdays: Hanukkah!, Passover Magic, and Purim Play.

Flip, flap here.
Flip, flop there.
Potato pancakes in the air.
Latkes flying everywhere!

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award, Hanukkah! follows one family's celebration of the holiday, from eating latkes and spinning the dreidel, to singing prayers and lighting the menorah. With sweet rhyming text and warm illustrations, this is the perfect was to celebrate the festival of lights.

Publishers Weekly

This glowing picture book focuses on one family's celebration of Hanukkah. It's the eighth and final night of the holiday and Mama, Papa and Grandma Rose are lighting the menorah, while the children--Nora, Dan, Ruthie, Sam and baby Moe--begin their own preparations for the family celebration. Nora and Dan make latkes, Ruthie makes decorations, Sam makes clay dreidels and tries to teach baby Moe how to say ``Hanukkah.'' The festive family meal is followed by songs, dances and gifts. Finally, as the evening ends and the candles burn low, Moe giggles ``Hanuk-kah!'' Schotter's somewhat bland text may confuse children with its odd blend of poetry and prose, but Hafner's watercolors of the cozy house filled with the warmth of love and family beautifully evoke this special celebration's pleasures. A one-page ``Story of Hanukkah'' and a glossary of Hanukkah words are included. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)