OCR Text |
Show iwmamainr f KEEPING THE FAITH Celebrating the season: new books honor Hanukkah that Inform Entertain RON KAPLAN December upon us once again, its time to take a step back and think what the holiday season means to us: family, friends and heritage. This is the perfect time to teach children about special traditions. Two new books do just that, delving into the meaning of I lanukkah and the Jewish holidays in ways that young readers will love. BY With One 1 4-- Learning about heritage Jewiih Holidays All Year Round (Abrams, $18.95, 80 pages, ISBN 0810905507), written by Ilene Cooper, childrens books editor of Booklist, in association with the Jewish Museum in New York, is an excellent introduction to the special days on the Jewish calendar. Beginning with the Sabbath, the book discusses the major religious holidays such as the New Year Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Purim and Passover, as well as more recent additions like Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom and Israel Independence Day (Yom laatmaut). The stories are told in a straightforward yet entertaining manner thats neither too childish nor too theological. Each chapter includes a description of the significance of the special days and the preparations families make to observe them. There are also suggested activities and arts and crafts to make the holiday more for kids. There are noisemakers for Purim, plants for Tu BShevat (Arbor Day) and drei-de(tops) for Hanukah. And since food is such a big part of the celebration, Cooper includes several recipes to commemorate the holiday, such as potato pancakes for Hanukkah; fruit compote for Shavuot, which marks the giving of the Ten Commandments; and Haroset, an integral condiment used in the Passover feast.. In addition to the si mple-yet-- e vocative drawings by Elivia Savadier, Jewish Holidays contains dozens of photographs and illustrations of pieces from the Jewish Museum s collection. A bibliography encourages further research for youngsters and adults. Both books would make wonderful gifts for the young readers on your shopping list. But dont let the fact that adults will get a lot theyre aimed at children fool you; out of them as well. ls Ron Kaplan writes Hans Christian Andersen By Retold by Christine San Jose' Illustrated by Kestutis Kasparavicius Gnne (Joanna Cotier, $15.95, 32 pages, ISBN 00602281154) by Eve Bunting touching story of a young girl whose extended family gathers together each year to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. And every year her grandmother and Great Aunt Rose perform a ritual to recall their childhood, part of which was spent in a German concentration camp during the Holocaust. In those bleak days, despite unrelenting hardship and fear, they sought to maintain their religious faith by smuggling a potato and some margarine into camp elements which they used to construct a makeshift candle so they could surreptitiously celebrate Hanukkah. Fifty years after the fact, the two sisters recreate their story with a wonderful clarity of detail. As they gather, surrounded by the warmth and safety of their family on the first night of the holiday, they painstakingly hollow out a potato, pour in a small amount of oil, and once again light one candle. Toward the end of the story, the young narrator says: My sister Ruth whispers close to my ear, Why do you think Grandma wants to do this every year? I shrug my shoulders because I dont know for sure. But think it has to do with being strong in the bad time and remembering it in the good time. Its a hard but valuable lesson i teach the target audience of this book. K. Wendy Popps haunting pastel illustrations mirror One Candle's dramatic theme. While the pictures of Grandma and Great Aunt Rose as young girls surrounded by their fellow captives are beautifully rendered, the story they reflect might but be better suited for older readers. The suggested age range for One Candle is the benefits of the are more to preteens story. likely reap J The Little Match Girl A story that spans generations is the y The classic story of a poor girl trying to survive on the city streets is lovingly illustrated and retold with originality and grace. $1 5 95 ISBN 8 K x II 32 pages Ages 5 and up Hardcover witk jacket over preprinted coer Full color illustrations Picture Hook Trade reinforced TPpomi5KD , it The Promised Land The Birth of the Jewish People Written and Illustrated By Neil Waldman : ciuSr JwSiltpsJCf r The story of the Jewish people from their arrival in Canaan to the Exodus from Egypt, exquisitely illustrated and beautifully told. i: . X $21.95 ISBN I 56197-352-- 40 pages Ages 1 2 and up Hardcover with jacket r illustrations Nonfiction Trade reinforced 7X x 1 3 The Big Book of Winter Fun Puzzles, Mazes, Jok is, and Games to Last tfre Entire Season Edited by Jeffrey A. OHare with puzzles, riddles, jokes, games, quizzes, mazes, and more, this lively book will provide hours of fun related to the world of winter. Jam-pack- $7 95 8 )l Full-col- X ISBN 64 pages Ages 7 and up illustrations Activity Book 10 X Dylan the Eagle-Hearte- d By David L. 1 Chicken larrison Illustrated by Karen Stonner Brooks When a chicken hatches in an eagles nest, it leads to a hilarious identity crisis and a surprising ending. 982 9 $15 95 ISBN 8 x II 32 pages Ages 4 -- 8 Hardcover w ii )i jacket over preprinted cover r illustrations Picture Book Trade reinforced from Montclair, New Jersey. DECEMBER 2002 BOOKPAGE 27 |