The Miracle of Hanukkah [Hardcover]

Seymour Chwast (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In the year 165 B.C.E., Mattathias and the Maccabees defeated the Syrians and reclaimed their Great Temple in Jerusalem. Though they planned an eight-day celebration to rededicate the Temple, they had lamp oil for only one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. Every year Jews around the world celebrate this miracle at Hanukkah.

Now internationally acclaimed artist and graphic designer Seymour Chwast retells the story of Hanukkah in an innovative format in which pages gradually increase in size. This Hanukkah book is sure to become a family favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–This straightforward retelling of the Hanukkah story is textually unremarkable yet interesting for its stepped-page format, in which a tableau of the temple in ancient Jerusalem is overlaid with a succession of pages that begin small and increase in size with each page turn. The simple graphic images are flat and almost comiclike, utilizing a lively pastel palette. While the format is unusual, the ending feels rather abrupt. Still, young readers will enjoy turning the pages and watching as more and more of the story is revealed.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Seymour Chwast is the director of the Push Pin Group, a design firm that he cofounded in 1954. His graphic design and illustrations are well-known internationally, and he has written and/or illustrated more than thirty books for children. He lives in New York City with his wife, Paula Scher.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Blue Apple Books (August 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593541570
• ISBN-13: 978-1593541576
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 0.4 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,843,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Miracle of Hanukkah, October 12, 2006

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miracle of Hanukkah (Hardcover)

Each page cleverly increases in size in this handsomely designed picture book, as the author-illustrator tells the story of Hanukkah, stating the facts about the holiday in a clear way that young children can understand. His text and illustrations show them the miracle of how the oil lasted eight days instead of one when the Jews rededicated the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem, after the small band of brave Maccabees were miraculously victorious over Antiochus's large army.

Chwast's graphic design background is evident in his stylized illustrations, the cleverly done step-page format, and his lively end papers of multiple dreidels in colorful pastels. These all combine to make this an excellent choice for teachers and parents to read to young children to teach them about Hanukkah. For ages 4 - 7. Reviewed by Andrea Davidson