A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm [Hardcover]

Jon Koons (Author), S. D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2004 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Hanukkah is fast approaching in the village of Chelm, but the Rabbi is away. Unfortunately, not one of the villagers remembers how Hanukkah is supposed to be celebrated. So they send Yossel, a simple young man, to the neighboring village to learn what he can. Yossel makes a wrong turn, but he does find some people celebrating a holiday. The question is: Is it the right holiday?
This original story, based on the legendary town of fools, is perfect for interfaith families and anyone looking for a good chuckle at holiday time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–The simple people of Chelm are in a dither. Their rabbi is mysteriously absent, Hanukkah is drawing near, and they've forgotten how they are supposed to celebrate. A mirthful adventure ensues when the town's wise men (an oxymoron, if ever there was one) send the naive, yet likable Yossel to a nearby village in hopes of reclaiming the traditional customs. However, Yossel unwittingly visits the Big City, where preparations are being made for a different holiday than the one he has in mind, and when the rabbi returns, he finds the villagers decorating trees and cavorting with a fat, bearded man in a blue velvet suit named Hanukkah Hershel. After the rabbi reminds the villagers about the miracle of the Festival of Lights, things are quickly set right again, with the requisite latkes, songs, dreidels, and gelt. Schindler's charming, comically detailed watercolor-and-ink illustrations portray the characters endearingly and provide cultural insight that will appeal to children of all faiths. Suitable as a read-aloud or a lap-sit.–L. I.
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; Library Binding edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469699
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469698
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We're all from Chelm, December 14, 2005

By 

Mark Sher (Van Nuys, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm (Hardcover)

Too bad some of these other reviewers feel the way they do. I read this book completely different. To me it puts a mirror up to all of us and how we approach the holiday and reminds us that sometimes we lose sight of what it's all about. It's not unlike when Christians complain that with all the decorations, parties, gifts, Santa Claus and everything else that comes with the holidays, they lose sight of "the reason for the season". That's what makes this book "work" - the fools are busy on focusing on "how" to celebrate Hanukkah, not "why". I'd recommend it to families who want to give their kids a fun and entertaining reminder.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book for this Holiday Season, November 17, 2004

By 

Robert Brandon (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm (Hardcover)

What a great book. My kids love it and read it every night. It is often confusing to kids nowadays to have two gift giving holidays in the same month. This combines both holidays in a funny and warm way. I wish this book was written when I was a kid. I plan on buying copies for all my nephews. This is destined to become a parenial classic. I also think that with so many interfaith marriages this a good book to unite both religions. Many book stores in my area are out of stock so if Amazon has it in stock buy it. When "Fiddler on the Roof" came out people thought of it as a Jewish play until they saw it and realized it was about all imigrant groups. Everyone should try this book. You won't be sorry.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful story for all ages, February 16, 2007

By 

R. J. Lewis "vaudeguy" (Phillipsburg, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm (Hardcover)

This book is really very clever. It not only brings up the tradition of the people of Chelm, who are all foolish, but it brings forth the idea of Jewish people surrounded and overwhelmed by the Christmas celebrations. I think the author handles this in a fun and delightful way, and allows the people of Chelm to relearn the meaning of Hanukkah. This is also a supreme tradition of our faith, as the Rabbis of Blessed memory always taught to relearn and rediscover each Jewish holiday, and therefore gain new meaning from it. I think the book does this in a humorous way, and would make a delightful Animated Holiday show.