From School Library Journal
K-Gr 3--Garish cartoon-strip characters mix together with an amalgam of facts and history to present a startlingly poor exploration of the holiday. After reducing the long struggle of the Jewish people against the Syrians to the "good guys" versus the "bad guys" (one of the "playful" Doodle characters calls them "jerks"), a confusing cartoon "adventure" is interspersed with double-page layouts that explain Hanukkah traditions, give ideas for games to play, provide instructions on how to light the "Hanukkiyah," along with prayers in both Hebrew and English. These sections are fine, except for the cutesy subtitles such as "Lights! Menorah! Action!" or "Doodlepalooza." The cartoon epic, however, is really jarring. Two of the Doodle characters are thrust back in time to witness and become involved in the battle of the Maccabees against the Syrians. Children reading this will certainly be confused and might even think the Doodles were there. The idea that cartoons and gimmicky titles are the best way to reach youngsters is condescending at best. The wisecracking characters are not playful, but instead offer a sad commentary on what the creators of this book thought would work to give the holiday meaning.
Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
