A gift-giving, angst-ridden purple gorilla is among the characters that help enliven the Hanukkah celebrations in new holiday books for children, families and young adults.
One, “With a Mighty Hand,” is not about Hanukkah but even so will be a treasured gift to add to a family’s bookshelves.
Tilda Balsley, the author of many children’s books (including four Jewish-themed “Sesame Street” titles about Grover, Big Bird and friends) brings two new offerings, “Eight is Great” and “ABC Hanukkah Hunt.”
In “Eight is Great,” simple rhymes and illustrations enliven the colorful toddler board book that plays on the theme of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
“ABC Hanukkah Hunt” is a lively rhyming alphabet romp through the Festival of Lights that provides plenty of entertainment for young kids. Each large-format page is filled with cartoon-like illustrations and a simple riddle that can be solved by looking at the pictures of flames on a menorah, a maze to Jerusalem’s Holy Temple and plates full of sugar-coated doughnuts, or sufganiyot.
For preschoolers, what child won’t relate to young Sadie when her carefully crafted and painted clay menorah shatters into a million pieces? In Jamie Korngold’s “Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah,” the girl’s spirits are lifted when she discovers that the shamash-helper candleholder did not break. All’s well when Sadie uses the pink-and-blue shamash to light all the household menorahs, starting a new family tradition.
Julie Fortenberry’s colorful illustrations allow children to tell the story through the expressive and energetic art.
In Lauren L. Wohl’s delightful “The Eighth Menorah,” young Sam makes a menorah in Hebrew school using a shiny rock he picks at a park outing. But he frets: What will his family do with one more menorah? In phone conversations with his grandmother, Sam confides that he’s keeping a special Hanukkah secret for the family. Their relationship feels authentic and warm.
Readers will wonder along with Sam as he tries to figure out the perfect new home for the menorah.
Laura Hughes’ illustrations convey a contemporary, real-world feel. Grandma lives in a condo in an urban highrise, and there’s a refreshingly diverse group of kids at Hebrew school. Rules for how to play dreidel are included.
In “Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster,” author Jane Sutton takes Hanukkah to an unconventional setting — the jungle.
Poor Esther: The endearing purple gorilla is looking forward to celebrating Hanukkah with her jungle friends, but all the gifts she selects turn out wrong. Worse, the friends give her the “perfect” Hanukkah gifts. But Esther makes it all right at a Hanukkah party where good friends celebrate together and swap the gifts.
Sutton’s book is a new favorite for Barbara Krasner, the author of many children’s stories who is active in the Association of Jewish Libraries. The illustrations add to the appeal, according to Krasner, who calls them “hysterically funny.” The book is geared for ages 4 to 9.
For young adults, award-winning writer Ruth Tenzer Feldman of Portland, Ore., writes a coming-of-age novel that spins an intricate tale of historical fiction and fantasy, set in Berkeley at the dawn of the city’s free speech movement.
“The Ninth Day’s” teen protagonist, Hope Friis, lives in Berkeley in the ‘60s. Hope has an enviable relationship with her grandfather, who as his health declines gives her the gift of a tallit that belonged to her grandmother, Miryam, for whom she is named. The blue threads woven into the tallit call forth a mysterious visitor, Serakh, who beckons Hope on a journey back in time to 11th-century Paris, where she is challenged to save the life of a Jewish baby.
The mature material, which includes references to LSD and tragic Jewish history during the Crusades, is not overly dark or depressing. Through curiosity and courage Hope, who has a stutter, finds her own voice as she faces tough, consequential decisions.
The book takes place during the eight days of Hanukkah, which that year fell very close to Thanksgiving.
Finally, readers of any age will savor the beautifully designed “With a Mighty Hand,” Amy Ehrlich’s adaptation of the five books of the Torah. Based on the original biblical text, Ehrlich approaches the Torah’s stories as a lyrical narrative. She includes the nuanced details and weaves a story line that brings the characters to life as humans, with strengths and flaws.
Daniel Nevins’ stunning illustrations draw from a rich palette of purple, red, brown, blue and ocher. In a full-page illustration of one of Joseph’s dreams, a copper-skinned Joseph stands tall and regal in his multicolored coat looming above the stars and moon. A two-page Torah genealogy, Ehrlich’s introduction and end notes offer readers helpful explanations to supplement the narrative.
“Eight is Great” by Tilda Balsley (12 pages, Kar-Ben, $5.95)
“ABC Hanukkah Hunt” by Tilda Balsley (32 pages, Kar-Ben $17.95 hardcover; $7.95 paper)
“Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah” by Jamie Korngold (24 pages, Kar-Ben, $17.95 hardcover, $7.95 paper)
“The Eighth Menorah” by Lauren L. Wohl (32 pages, Albert Whitman & Co., $16.99 hardcover)
“Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster” by Jane Sutton (32 pages, Kar-Ben, $17.95 hardcover, $7.95 paperback)
“The Ninth Day” by Ruth Tenzer Feldman (288 pages, Ooligan Press, $13.95 paperback)
“With a Mighty Hand: The Story in the Torah” adapted by Amy Ehrlich (224 pages, Candlewick Press $29.99)