The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes [Hardcover]

Linda Glaser (Author), Nancy Cote (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

It's the last night of Hanukkah and there are only three little potatoes left--not enough to make latkes for the relatives. Rachel has the solution--she will borrow some potatoes from Mrs. Greenberg. And then she will invite Mrs. Greenberg, who is all alone, to share Hanukkah with them. But though Mrs. Greenberg has a heart of gold, she is a stubborn as an ox--she doesn't want to be a bother. Luckily, Rachel is one smart and equally stubborn little girl. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Of the many joys of Hanukkah, the joining of family and friends is perhaps the greatest. This is why young Rachel and her family are especially eager to have their dear elderly neighbor Mrs. Greenberg over for Hanukkah dinner. But every year their neighbor refuses, not wanting to be a bother. One year, on the last night of Hanukkah, Rachel's mother discovers that she has run out of potatoes for the latkes. Maybe Mrs. Greenberg will come for dinner if we borrow some of her potatoes, suggests Rachel. And off she runs into the snowy purple night to see if her plan will work. Author Linda Glaser (Rosie's Birthday Rat) has a keen understanding of a child's perspective: "Mrs. Greenberg's house was always clean and tidy, like its face was just scrubbed and its blouse was tucked in, while Rachel's house always looked like it was still in its pajamas and needed to brush its hair yet." Rachel succeeds in procuring the potatoes, but it takes a "stubborn-as-an-ox" girl to get a "stubborn-as-an-ox" woman to share their Hanukkah dinner. Rachel's ingenious eventual entrapment of Mrs. Greenberg--along with her rosy red cheeks and unruly orange braids--make her an excellent ambassador for a story about the heart of Hanukkah. Lively, cartoonish illustrations by Nancy Cote enliven this already vivacious holiday tale. (Ages 4 and older) --Gail Hudson

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Rachel and her mother are busy preparing for their Hanukkah celebration. When eight more people are suddenly added to the guest list and there are no more potatoes in the cellar, Rachel goes next door to borrow some from Mrs. Greenberg. Every year the elderly woman is invited to join the girl's family, but she always refuses. This year, she is delighted to lend the potatoes, and then some eggs, and finally chairs?until Rachel has an idea. If Mrs. Greenberg won't come to them for Hanukkah, they'll just have to borrow her house and take the celebration to her. The lively watercolor illustrations add to the joy as smiling family members, with slightly elongated, constantly waving arms and long legs, fill the pages with motion and energy. Rachel's wide-eyed, pig-tailed innocence belies her understanding that Mrs. Greenberg is a lonely neighbor who still needs someone with whom to share the holiday. A lovely message, wrapped in a lighthearted story.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807508411
• ISBN-13: 978-0807508411
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,184,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Our kids love this book, November 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (Hardcover)

Our children love this book, especially our 5 year old: its one of his favorite holiday books. It's a sweet story that will keep younger children interested; as much as its about Hanukkah, its mainly about giving. Highly recommended for non-Jewish families who want to expose their children to Hanukkah as well; its about coming together at a holiday and doesn't focus on the weightier aspects of religion.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, Moving Hannukkah Book!, January 16, 2005

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (Hardcover)

This book will become one of my Hanukkah favorites. I thought it was really a moving story and believe that my students will love it. I am not Jewish and don't have any Jewish students but teaching and learning about Hanukkah as well as other winter holidays is a great way to build understanding and tolerance. The Hannukkah unit is definitely a favorite.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars holiday sharing, June 16, 2009

By 

Lainie (Swansea, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Who can say 'no' to a child, especially during the holidays? Rachel's persistence brings joy to young and old alike, as she borrows all the ingredients necessary for a happy holiday from and elderly neighbor ... including the use of her house!