Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish [Hardcover]

Emily Sper (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

The symbols of Hanukkah are visually presented to stunning effects as young children learn to count from one to eight in three different languages (English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.) Clever die-cuts of colorful candles add up, one-by-one, with each turn of the pages. A simple retelling of the Hanukkah story reveals the meaning behind certain holiday symbols. HANUKKAH: A COUNTING BOOK is an informative and elegant gift to celebrate the most joyous of Jewish holidays.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. With every page, another die-cut menorah candle appears, as well as the spelling and pronunciation of the ascending numbers in each language. On the opposite page of each two-page spread, symbols of Hanukkah are featured against bold, colorful backdrops: "one Hanukkah menorah," "four dreidels," "seven potato pancakes," etc., along with the Hebrew and Yiddish terms. Author Emily Sper shares her childhood memories of lighting the Hanukkah menorah, and a brief, age-appropriate story explains the symbols and meanings behind the holiday. This is a book best read together with a loving grownup who can elaborate on the rituals and stories of the Festival of Lights. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Noteworthy graphics and clever use of design elements jazz up a small (9" 7") paper-over-board book that counts up from one through the eight nights of the holiday. Newcomer Sper introduces familiar and less obvious aspects of Hanukkah (e.g., three stands for the elephants, which, as an endnote explains, were used by the attacking Syrian-Greeks). Die-cuts show the correct number of "candles" on each spread, made all the more pleasing by strong, clear color combinations and color-coded fonts. Each page includes Hebrew and Yiddish words, transliterations and pronunciations. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic; First Printing edition (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439282918
• ISBN-13: 978-0439282918
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,557,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Emily Sper writes, illustrates, and designs children's books and games. "Hanukkah: A Counting Book" (2001), "The Passover Seder" (2003),and "The Kids' Fun Book of Jewish Time" (2006) quickly became "classics" and favorites of children and parents.

In 2004 she created "Hanukkah Card Games" so families would have another fun game to play together when they were done spinning dreidels. To her surprise, families play all year long! "Passover Go Fish" and "Jewish Holidays Go Fish" followed. Check them out on Amazon!

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (B.F.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Hebrew College (Me'ah), Emily divides her time among creating fun books and games (www.emilysper.com), graphic design (www.blueirisdesign), fine art photography (www.emilysperphoto.com), and visiting schools to talk about books and bookmaking. She lives in the Boston area.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bright, Colorful, Grows With Your Child!, November 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (Hardcover)

The bright colors and clear illustrations immediately attracted my two year old son. He flipped through the pages, identifying the numbers and pictures that he knew. As we read it together, I started to introduce the pictures that he was unfamiliar with, and some of the Hebrew and Yiddish words. As he grows, I can teach him more of the different languages, and read the Hannukah story with him. I think this is a beautiful book, one that my son will use and learn from for years to come.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book, November 14, 2001

By 

amy (Richmond, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (Hardcover)

What a beautiful book! The bright colors and great illustrations can keep anyone, even over the age of eight, interested. Kids and parents both can learn more about Judaism, Chanukah, Hebrew and Yiddish in a fun way. A great debut for Emily Sper.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids!, November 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (Hardcover)

It's rare enough to find a book that is also a work of art in and of itself, but a children's book with such high artistic standards is a unique accomplishment. Hanukkah: A Counting Book is a delight to explore, and is guaranteed to entertain adults as well as children. Children will love the fun graphics as they learn to count while absorbing the meaning of the holiday, and parents will be intrigued with the unique logic of the text and graphics, which are woven together in a creative structure which unfolds progressively, much as the holiday itself unfolds from night to night.