While the Candles Burn [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Diamond Goldin (Author), Ekaube Greenstein (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 1999 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Timeless and contemporary stories for Hanukkah

Freedom, faith, courage--these are just some of the concepts at the heart of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. Noted storyteller Barbara Diamond Goldin offers eight stories, some original and some traditional, that range from many countries and centuries to reflect the significance of the holiday. With one story for each night of Hanukkah, this collection can be shared while the Hanukkah candles burn...and all year long.

"Goldin goes beyond the usual stories of latkes and dreidels to compose tales that beautifully reflect the meaning of the holiday." --The Jewish Week

"[The stories] illuminate and celebrate the spiritual teachings of Judaism....[They] are well chosen and simply told." --Kirkus Reviews

* A Picture Puffin
* Full-color illustrations
* 64 pages
* Ages 6 up

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Commenting on the "sunny" monocut illustrations, PW praised the unusual breadth of these eight "imaginative selections," one for each night of the holiday. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. After an insightful look at the history of Hanukkah, Goldin offers eight brief stories, each expanding on one of the holiday's themes. She draws from Jewish folklore as well as the Bible and Talmud to weave tales that reflect the strength of faith, the anchoring role of tradition, the voice of women in Judaism, and the power of people's actions to bring about miracles. Two of the most compelling stories are rooted in history but set in contemporary times, giving an especially relevant spin to the holiday's lessons: In one, a lost soccer game and a forgotten lunch play a role in an Israeli youth's learning to trust his Arabic classmate; in the other, Leah's need to perform a good deed to fulfill a bat mitzvah requirement and a Holocaust survivor's testimony come together. The dramatically angular lines of Elaine Greenstein's prints painted over in gouache convey a childlike innocence in their composition and perspective. A stellar selection for Hanukkah festivities and collections. Ellen Mandel --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140373411
• ISBN-13: 978-0140373417
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,856,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Diamond Goldin has written picture books, story collections, non-fiction, retellings, and historical fiction. In 1997, she received the prestigious Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries. This award is presented to the author whose collected works are a distinguished contribution to Jewish literature for children. "Goldin's consistently commendable and recommendable books combine talented writing, solid research, personal commitment and deep caring".

Barbara is currently a children's librarian. She also leads writing workshops and speaks about being a writer to school and library groups all over the country.

For ten years she taught language arts and creative writing to 5th through 8th graders and for eleven years before that she was a preschool teacher. Her B.A. is in psychology from the University of Chicago and she did post-graduate work in teaching and school library media at Western Washington University and Boston University.

Barbara Diamond Goldin says, "As a child, I was an avid reader, letter-writer, and frequenter of the public library. When I reached babysitting age, I discovered I loved making up and telling stories to my charges who would ask to have me back so they could hear the sequels to my stories. Later as an adult I turned the stories I told into written stories.

"When writing, I dig into my past, my childhood, my family, and my personal experiences for material. I also research my subjects thoroughly and feel this adds depth to what I write. I love folklore and religion and the psychology of why people act the way they do. I find that often during the process of writing, I touch on questions and feelings that are closest to me.

"My ideas often come from my own past and my family's past, from experiences I have had and from conversations I overhear or participate in. The ideas can also come from dreams and visual images that pop into my mind, sometimes while I'm driving. Then I have to pull over, get out my pencil and paper and write feverishly, hoping I'll be able to read my handwriting later.

"My favorite place to work is in the college library near my house. I always heave a sigh of relief when I step into the peace and quiet of the library, knowing I have a few uninterrupted hours of writing ahead of me.

"I still love to write and research and discover new worlds on paper. I even discover things about myself and my family. Writing is an exciting process for me. I'm never certain when I sit down to write what the next few hours will bring."