Hoppy Hanukkah!

by Linda Glaser, Daniel Howarth (Illustrator)

Overview

Violet and Simon, two small bunnies, are excited about Hanukkah. Simon is ready to light all the candles and then blow them right out! But Mama and Papa explain how to celebrate Hanukkah by lighting one candle each night at sunset and placing the menorah in the window for all to see. Grandma and Grandpa come over, too, and there are latkes and presents and a dreidel game. Linda Glaser's simple, cozy story is just right for children first learning about this holiday. Daniel Howarth's charming paintings show a happy family passing on their tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807533789
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

A loving family of rabbits prepares to celebrate Hanukkah in its comfy home. Siblings Simon and Violet can hardly stand the anticipation as they wait for sunset. As evening approaches, readers can learn about Hanukkah activities along with the young rabbits: “Each night we'll light one more candle—for eight nights,” Mama explains. The festivities continue as the family prepares latkes, plays a game of dreidel, and Simon and Violet receive a gift. The book exudes a gentle, familial warmth that should nurture readers' enthusiasm for their own traditions. Ages 2–5. (Sept.)\

Publishers Weekly

Here is a wonderful introduction to Hanukkah that does not actually mention what happened—no miracle, no oil, no worship—just right for the very youngest children! The Bunny children (Violet and Simon) find their mother cleaning the menorah, and when she tells them that they will take turns choosing the candles and lighting them, they get very excited—Simon thinks he will just take a deep breath and blow them out! He will not, of course—these candles are just to put in the window for everyone to admire. "I can't wait," says Simon. He does not have long to wait. Grandma is already making latkes (potato pancakes) "fried in oil", she says, but does not say why it is important or traditional, so the children enjoy them without having to remember anything. Grandpa teaches them how to play the dreidel game, and then they get lovely presents—ducky pajamas for both of them! Recommended. Reviewer: Judy Silverman

Children's Literature - Judy Silverman

PreS–A family of happy floppy rabbits enjoys Hanukkah by lighting candles, eating latkes, and playing dreidel. But first Violet and Simon have to learn the right way to celebrate: waiting until sundown to light the menorah and letting the candles burn all the way down. The real charm of this simple book is the joyful excitement of the children, whose preschool expressiveness rings true (“I want Hanukkah now!). Colorful watercolor and pencil illustrations depict the anthropomorphized animals as friendly and fuzzy as beloved stuffed animals.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

Sibling bunnies Violet and Simon do not remember celebrating Hanukkah last year and are excited to learn from Mama and Papa that the holiday will begin at sundown. Simon wants to light all the candles and blow them out, but Papa places the menorah in the window for all to see and explains one candle is lit each night of the week. Grandma makes delicious-smelling crispy latkes fried in oil and Grandpa teaches the dreidel game. For this rabbit family, it now truly feels like a "hoppy Hanukkah." Howarth's soft, bright illustrations of an extended floppy-eared family offer details of a Judaic home in this gentle introduction to the rituals of a traditional celebration that young families can follow as they create a Hanukkah atmosphere in their own homes. (Picture book. 2-4)

Kirkus Reviews