Hanukkah Is Coming!

by Tracy Newman

Overview

Readers join a cute family and their dog as they light the menorah, eat latkes, unwrap gifts, sing songs, play dreidel, eat chocolate Hanukkah gelt and march like Maccabees during the eight nights of Hanukkah in this cute 12-page board book. Includes '3D-feeling' art by Viviana Garofoli, who illustrates all the books in this series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467752411
Publisher:	Kar-Ben Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	382,394
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 6.40(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD130L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

Editorial Reviews

09/14/2015
In this board book, a companion to 2014’s Shabbat Is Coming!, rhythmic verse follows a family as its members light the menorah, fry latkes, enjoy dreidels and gelt, and spend time together during Hanukkah. The title repeats as a refrain after each of Newman’s gentle rhymes, giving the book a soothing structure: “Winter is near./ Long nights are here./ Hanukkah is coming./ All in a row/ Our candles will glow./ Hanukkah is coming.” Skillful use of drop shadows brings a subtle three-dimensional quality to Garofoli’s crisp digital illustrations, while the images’ canvaslike textures are suggestive of the homey closeness of the family’s Hanukkah’s celebrations. Ages 1–4. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

This colorful and comically illustrated board book is a sweet introduction to Hanukkah traditions for the youngest children. Round-faced youngsters with an equally round-faced mom and a square-jawed dad take part in the winter holiday with tasty latkes and an abundance of presents. All the usual Hanukkah symbols—gilded gelt, spinning dreydels and a reference to the Macabbees—are included in the colorfully illustrated little book. The rhymes, three lines per page, end with a refrain that can be taught to children for a more interactive experience. “Hanukkah is coming,” repeats throughout the book, but an exuberant “Hanukkah is here” should bring a shout from a story time circle. Make sure that children note the egg-shaped puppy that appears on every page and exuberantly joins the holiday celebration. Although there are no explanations of any of the traditions represented, this is a story for very young children who might not be ready for more than a playful book to build anticipation for eight nights of fun and observance. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross; Ages 2 to 4.

Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross

10/01/2015
Toddler-PreS—In this board book, a rhyming couplet on each page ("We've practiced each song./We'll all sing along.") is followed by the words "Hanukkah is coming" as a round-faced family of mother, father, brother, sister, and dog light candles, fry latkes, exchange presents, eat gelt, and "march like Maccabees." VERDICT An adequate but not particularly compelling offering for young children already familiar with the holiday.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

2015-07-22
A simple introduction for very young children to some of the ways Hanukkah is celebrated. A girl, a boy, their mother and father, and their playful dog prepare for Hanukkah in this sweetly illustrated board book. In rhyming text readers follow the family as they make preparations for the eight-day celebration. The candles are set in the menorah; the latkes go "Hiss, sizzle, pop" in the kitchen, while the children look in excitement at the wrapped gifts that will later be traded. The songs have been practiced and learned, and so has the dreidel game. Chocolate-covered faces mean the eagerly anticipated Hanukkah gelt has already been sampled. With paper hats, swords, and shields, the children (and their dog) march like Maccabees. At the end of each page the text is brought to a close with the titular phrase, "Hanukkah is coming," the repetition contributing to the mounting excitement. Finally, the sun sets, the menorah has been lit, and as the family contemplates the stars through the window of their home, the book ends with a satisfying "Hurray! Hanukkah is here!" Garofoli's richly colored cartoon illustrations contribute to the playfulness of the story. A joyful and sweet introduction to the holiday. (Board book. 1-4)

Kirkus Reviews