Oy, Santa!
Or, There's a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah
Oliver Overstreet tries to get Santa to understand how special Hanukkah is.
Even though Santa knows some things—like Oliver’s friend Ibrahim also doesn’t celebrate Christmas—Oliver loses patience when Santa doesn’t fully appreciate Hanukkah customs. Especially latkes! Helping people understand Jewish traditions is a never-ending job!
This book is for readers of all faiths and responds to the mistaken idea that Jewish children are somehow disadvantaged by not celebrating Christmas. Told through email correspondence, Oy, Santa! is a story about identity, perseverance, and the importance of sharing one’s traditions in a kind way.
“A highly entertaining holiday book that will be popular with readers of all ages. . . . Highly recommended for all collections.”—starred,School Library Journal
“Clever, knowing, and unique in its enthusiasm for the integrity of the holiday…”—Publishers Weekly
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-951365-22-6
|
$14.99 | |
|
978-1-951365-24-0
|
$23.99 |
| Interest Level | Preschool - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Category | Diverse Books: Celebrating Differences , Diversity, Holidays, SEL: C Social Awareness, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2024 |
| Publisher | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Imprint | Intergalactic Afikoman |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Publication Date | 2024-10-01 |
Author: Joyce Schriebman
A writer, educator, and interfaith activist, Joyce Schriebman is passionate about helping folks understand different faith traditions. A native of San Francisco, she moved to the glorious northeast 15 years ago and now lives in western Connecticut with her husband.
Illustrator: Gila von Meissner
Gila von Meissner is an illustrator from North Germany. She lives with her Israeli cat in a tiny house at a lake. She loves critters, jasmine tea, and chocolate.
Meet the Publisher: Intergalactic Afikoman
Today we introduce you to one of Lerner Publisher Service’s stellar publishing partners, Intergalactic Afikoman! We’re coming up on two years of distributing their joy-filled Jewish picture books and nonfiction, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share this interview with Brianna Caplan View →
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“Cheerful cartoony illustrations . . . include seasonal motifs and clever details. The Jewish family’s varied skin tones, along with other non-Christmas observers and diversity among the elves, are added pluses for representation.”—The Horn Book Magazine
School Library Journal
“A highly entertaining holiday book that will be popular with readers of all ages. . . . Highly recommended for all collections.”—starred, School Library Journal
Publishers Weekly
“Clever, knowing, and unique in its enthusiasm for the integrity of the holiday, this story is for readers who find themselves cast in the role of Hanukkah explainer.”—Publishers Weekly
Midwest Book Review
“‘Oy, Santa’ is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Jewish Holiday/Fiction collections for children ages 4-9.”—Midwest Book Review, Judaic
San Diego Jewish World
This book will help children, especially those growing up in interfaith families, to differentiate the two holidays which typically abut each other in December . . . [and] may teach Jewish children that it’s okay to know about other religions, respecting their practitioners, while all the while hewing to Judaism."—San Diego Jewish World