Book Review: 'Red and Green and Blue and White' by Lee Wind

✰✰✰✰✰ This holiday season read the story about how love can overcome hate when friends stand up for one another. As the holidays approach, families of different faiths decorate their houses with pride…red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah. When Isaac’s house is vandalized, his best friend Teresa decides to draw a Menorah and put it in the window. Soon the idea grew, and more and more people put up drawings of a Menorah in their Christmas window displays. As more people participated, the spirit of the holidays shined through and a true sense of community grew.

The Bottom Line: Inspired by real events and real people in Billings, Montana in 1993, this story shines a light on those who chose to be UPstanders instead of BYstanders. This book illustrates that a movement can grow from just a few into a community of friends who can respect one another and demonstrates that love can overcome hate. Bold illustrations in contrasting holiday colors reinforce the message of community and holiday spirit. Highly recommended holiday reading for children and adults of all faiths.

Details: Red and Green and Blue and White: Inspired by a True Story written by Lee Wind & illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Hardcover picture book published by Levine Querido in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-64614-087-9 

Book Review: 'There Was a Young Rabbi: A Hanukkah Tale' by Suzanne Wolfe

✰✰✰✰½ Read along as a young Rabbi celebrates the eight-day Festival of Lights with her family. She reads from the Torah, lights the menorah, makes brisket and latkes, and eats chocolate gelt.

The Bottom Line: Filled humor in both the large type text and illustrations, this holiday picture book is a treat to share. The rhyming and repetition make it easy for beginning readers to learn. And I appreciated the cheerful illustrations as well as the explanations about the holiday throughout the book. Highly recommended for everyone celebrating or learning about the holiday.

Details: There Was a Young Rabbi: A Hanukkah Tale written by Suzanne Wolfe & illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2020. 24 p. ISBN: 978-1-5415-7607-0 

Book Review: 'Hanukkah Moon' by Deborah da Costa

✰✰✰✰½ Isobel is excited to be invited to Aunt Luisa's for Hanukkah, but she's not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa just moved to America from Mexico; will she know how to celebrate Hanukkah the right way? Isobel's father adds to the mystery by telling her that Aunt Luisa celebrates the Hanukkah Moon. Isobel wonders what that is, and when exactly to they celebrate it?

At Aunt Luisa's, Isobel learns about the birds and animal friends that visit. She also receives a camera to document the holiday. As the celebration continues, they light the hanukkiah and when the time is just right, Isobel learns how to celebrate the new moon that happens during Hanukkah. 

The Bottom Line: With themes of family and tradition, this picture book blends the traditions of Judaism and Mexico. Richly illustrated in watercolor and colored pencil, this is Mosz's first picture book for American readers. Highly recommended for seasonal story time for children ages 7 - 10. Includes a glossary and information about Hanukkah and Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new moon), which is popular among Sephardic Jews who settled in Latin America.

Details: Hanukkah Moon written by Deborah da Costa & illustrated by Gosia Mosz. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1580132442 

Book Review: 'Runaway Dreidel!' by Lesléa Newman

✰✰✰✰½ When a little boy plays with his shiny new dreidel on Chanukah, something magical happens. It keeps spinning and there’s no stopping it. It spins across the floor, along the hall, and out the door. The little boy and his family and friends join in the chase, but the dreidel is simply too fast. Where is it going? Will it ever stop? Check out this holiday tale and join in the fun.

The Bottom Line: Children of all ages will love this rhyming, holiday tale. Told in the style of The Night Before Christmas, this easy to read picture book is sure to be a seasonal classic. Illustrated in mixed media of oil paint and cut paper, the illustrations are comical and engaging. Highly recommended holiday reading with your little one.

Details: Runaway Dreidel! Written by Lesléa Newman & illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. Hardcover picture book published by Henry Holt and Company in 2002. Unpaged. ISBN: 0-8050-6237-8 

Book Review: 'The Best Hanukkah Ever' by Barbara Diamond Goldin

✰✰✰✰✰ The Knoodle family wants to follow their rabbi's wise advice and give perfect gifts to celebrate Hanukkah, gifts that will be treasured forever. As each person draws a name, they choose a gift that they themselves would like to have. However, when everyone opens their gifts, no one is happy. How can this be? They did just what the rabbi said, didn't they? Fortunately, the rabbi arrives just in time, and with a extra help from Little Yekl, the Knoodle family has a celebration they will remember for many years to come.

The Bottom Line: This holiday treasure is one that you will read with your little one again and again. The lively and colorful illustrations are sure to make you smile as kids learn about what it takes to choose the perfect gift. Highly recommended for holiday reading and storytimes.

Details: The Best Hanukkah Ever written by Barbara Diamond Goldin & illustrated by Avi Katz. Hardcover picture book published by Marshall Cavendish Children in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7614-5355-0