From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5. A newly illustrated, attractive edition of a 1966 title. Simon presents the history and traditions of Hanukkah in an easy-to-read manner. There is a detailed recounting of the Jews' oppression by and rebellion against the Syrians, beginning with the story of Mattathias and continuing with Judah and the Maccabees, through the rededication of the temple. The story, or legend as Simon calls it, of the oil that lasted eight days when there was only enough for a single day is presented separately. The author also describes the menorah, the dreidel, the celebrations, gifts, and food associated with Hanukkah. The book concludes with an explanation of the dreidel game and the Jewish calendar and a recipe for potato latkes. The full-page, colorful, ink-and-acrylic illustrations that face each page of text have a soft, impressionist look. In recent years, few books that take this factual approach to the holiday have been published. Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith's Celebrating Hanukkah (Holiday, 1996) uses text and photographs of a specific Jewish-American family to introduce the celebration. Most of the other noteworthy Hanukkah books are fiction, making this one a worthy addition.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Norma Simon has written more than forty books for children, including The Story of Passover illustrated by Erika Weihs. Ms. Simon lives in South Wellfleet, MA.
Leonid Gore illustrated The Pomegranate Seeds by Laura Geringer and Jacob and the Stranger by Sally Derby. He is a recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union who now lives in Brooklyn, NY.
