Editorial Review

“Jules offers readers a compendium of information detailing the celebration of Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday
with historic rather than biblical origins. She provides traditional candle blessings (in English and
Hebrew); original poems and short reflections about each of the holiday’s eight nights; an overview of the
history surrounding this celebration’s origins; questions and answers about contemporary customs; an
explanation of the dreidel game; and several related songs, recipes, and crafts. Swarner’s colorful artwork
exhibits a dreamy feel that works well in linking contemporary and historic scenes. Many of the
illustrations feature blues and yellows (traditional Hanukkah colors) accented with purples and greens. She
also makes effective use of borders featuring classic Hanukkah images and symbols. This makes a good
resource for young families observing this holiday, particularly those who would like to move beyond the
emphasis on presents that results from Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas. Ideal for religious collections,
this will also be welcomed in public libraries with Judaica sections.”—Booklist