Kindergarten-Grade 2–This is the first Chanukah since Selma's mother died, and she and her younger sister carefully follow all of Mama's traditions as they polish the menorah and tell Papa exactly how the latkes should be made. When they turn out fat, brown, and lumpy instead of light and crisp, Selma can't be brave anymore and begins to cry. After a comforting "Skolnick family hug," Papa and the girls continue their evening with candle-lighting and prayers. The poignant text with touches of humor is nicely matched with warm and richly colored oil paintings. Papa is an especially appealing character; his efforts to be jolly don't keep him from offering heartfelt comfort and love to his daughters when they need it. A touching and uplifting story.–E. M.
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K-Gr. 2. This is the first Chanukah since Mama's death, and as Selma and her younger sister ready themselves for the holiday, they can't help but remember the fun the family had preparing in years gone by. Then Papa arrives home with latke ingredients: potatoes, oil, and onions enough "to keep you crying till Passover." But can they make latkes without Mama? Schuett's thickly painted, double-page illustrations hark back decades to a simpler time. Each blends beautifully with quiet, unsentimental words that express grief, unspoken sadness, and fear of the future as well as the love the characters share. This is a stirring, tender portrait of beloved children and a single father doing his best to help his daughters celebrate their mother's memory by building new traditions atop fondly remembered old ones: "Happy Chanukah, Mama." Stephanie Zvirin
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