The Chanukkah Guest [Hardcover]

Eric A. Kimmel (Author), Giora Carmi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Although Bubba Brayna is almost blind and deaf, she makes the best potato latkes in the village. On the first night of Chanukkah, she cooks a special batch for the rabbi, who is coming to visit her. When she hears a thumping at the door, she lets in her guest. Only later does she realize she has served a bear her delicious latkes. Full-color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Old Bubba Brayna, 97, still makes the best potato latkes in the village. So each year at Chanukkah, her friends and the rabbi come through the snow to share her cooking and hospitality. The first to arrive this year, however, is a grumpy old bear aroused from his cave by the delicious smells of cooking. The nearly blind Bubba mistakes him for the rabbi, welcomes him in and lets him keep his fur coat on against the chill. She carries on with enough chatter for two as the bear growls through the blessing, eats a huge platter of latkes, and bestows a lick on Old Bubba in thanks. When the rabbi and the villagers arrive, they and Bubba figure out who she has been entertaining, have a good laugh, and retire to the kitchen where Bubba begins to cook all over again. Brown and rose tones predominate in Carmi's woodland and interiors. While the blocky and long-nosed people are unattractively rendered, their love of Bubba is clear. Children will enjoy this silly story of mistaken identity, and the dialogue Bubba keeps up with the bear will have them giggling happily.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Giora Carmi worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and teacher in Israel, winning several awards for his work before moving to the United States in 1985. Since moving to the US, he has won several national awards for his work.

Eric A. Kimmel has written, retold, and adapted a number of stories from around the world, including two other Anansi titles, "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock" and "Anansi Goes Fishing". The Anansi Tales are originally from West Africa but are also familiar in Caribbean culture, where Anansi is a beloved folklore character. Professor of Education at Portland State University, Dr. Kimmel and his wife, Doris, live in Portland, Oregon. Janet Stevens has written and/or illustrated many popular books, including Coyote Steals the Blanket: A Ute Tale. She lives with her husband, Ted, and their two children, Lindsey and Blake, in Boulder, Colorado.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823407888
• ISBN-13: 978-0823407880
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars classic tale retold!! A winner!!, April 12, 2001

By 

Chess Heart "paxbear" (Canton, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Chanukkah Guest (Hardcover)

In this classic tale of mistaken identies, old Bubba Brayna is busy in her kitchen making latkes for Chanukkah. Her little house is on the edge of the village and it is deep winter. Though she is very, very old and almost blind and deaf, Bubba Brayna still can make the very best latkes in the entire village!! Tonight is a doubly-special night as it is both the first nite of Chanukkah and the village Rabbi is coming over!!

Well, there is a thump at the door of course, and in comes the Rabbi in his thick, winter coat. He sits down, eats plate after plate after plate of the latkes (still wearing his coat, for some reason) and when he's devoured them all, he gives Bubba Brayna a huge, messy kiss!!

As she's washing up, the village comes to her house to wish her a happy Chanukkah!! Even the Rabbi comes!! They soon discover that old Bubba Brayna has served all her latkes to a BEAR!!

Kimmel's book is beautifully written and delightfully illustrated by Carmi. The story is easy to read and very amusing when we, the readers, realize what Bubba Brayna doesn't: she's feeding a bear Chanukkah latkes!! The arrival of the Rabbi, who's coat, beard and hat are the exact same shade as Old Bear's fur is sure to delight children of all ages.

In a world where the commercial aspects of Christmas often overshadow the other holidays, "The Chanukkah Guest" is a welcome addition to anyone's library. It comes highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Guest, April 30, 2000

By 

D.R. Russell "Russ" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chanukkah Guest (Hardcover)

Looking for a Channukah tale? This one surely will not fail. My kids love the Hannukah Guest. In my book it is the BEST!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a Surprise, March 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Chanukkah Guest (Hardcover)

The Chanukkah Guest was a great story that is both fictional but informational. This story teaches you about some of the Chanukkah traditions and other things that happen around that time of the year. From the preperations of the Chanukkah meal, to the games that are played. This is a good story to help kids understand a little bit about what is going on in real life.
In this story, old Bubba Brayna is gettin ready for a big Chanukkah celebration with all of her family and friends, but also her most important guest, the Rabbi. As Bubba Brayna is preparing her famous potato latkes, she hears a knock at the door. It is a Old Bear. Bubba Brayna has bad eye sight and bad ears, so she mistakes Old Bear for the Rabbi. You have to read this story and find out all of the humerous events that happen do poor, old, Bubba Bryana...