On Hanukkah (Hardcover)

by Cathy Goldberg Fishman (Author), Melanie W. Hall (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
With the voice of a young girl participating in the nightly rituals of Hanukkah, Cathy Goldberg Fishman introduces children to the history and beliefs behind this eight-day Jewish celebration. Starting with the first night of Hanukkah she lights a menorah candle with the "helper candle called the shammash." When her mother speaks of the Assyrian soldiers who captured the Jews' Holy Temple and put out the eternal light of the menorah, the young girl thinks of the Jewish people "who fought for many years to rededicate the temple and bring the light back." Later, while playing dreidel on the seventh night, the girl's grandfather tells the story of Jews not being allowed to "celebrate our religion or read our holy books. Jews who did not want the light of our knowledge lost would still get together and study. They played the game of dreidel to disguise what they were doing." And so the family puts the menorahs in a window to be "a light of knowledge in the darkness."

Melanie W. Hall's soft and slightly abstract illustrations spotlight specific symbols of Hanukkah, such as potato latkes or chocolate gelt, while offering festive spreads of family cheer and togetherness. This is teaching at its best: giving children a familiar and beautifully illustrated context for absorbing complicated ideas such as symbolism, persecution, and the joy that comes from religious freedom. (Ages 5 to 8) --Gail Hudson

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?A cheerful original tale. The story opens with a family (previously introduced in Fishman's earlier titles) preparing to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Each night, a young girl kindles the candles and says Hanukkah blessings. Her family members gather and each one contributes to the celebration by sharing history, food, gifts, games, and/or music. The author cleverly weaves in bits of information about the traditional observance without ever disrupting the narrative flow. Hall's light yet dynamic illustrations, done in collagraph and mixed media, portray almost constant motion, a frenzy of happiness, with swirling edges and, on several pages, blazes of gold color. A fine companion to Fishman's other holiday titles.?MMH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689806434
• ISBN-13: 978-0689806438
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,406,880 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #86 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Children's Books > Holidays & Festivals
  #86 in	Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Festivals > Jewish > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent books for Jews and non-Jews alike., November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This book is a delight--it is beautifully illustrated and gently describes the traditions and history of Hanukkah through the eyes of a child. Cathy Goldberg Fishman is a natural teacher.