Rachel Kamin has been a synagogue librarian and Jewish educator for over twenty-five years and has worked at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, IL since 2008, currently serving as the Director of Lifelong Learning. A past chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee and past editor of Book Reviews for Children & Teens for the Association of Jewish Libraries News & Reviews, her articles and book reviews appear in numerous publications. She has been a member of the American Library Association’s Sophie Brody Book Award Committee since 2021.
Children’s
Celebrate Hanukkah with Light, Latkes, and Dreidels
- Review
By
– October 26, 2011
Full-color photographs and an attractive layout combine with an interesting, informative text to create a stunning introduction to Hanukkah focusing on light, Jewish identity, freedom, and the celebration of miracles. The photographs include contemporary Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Israel, India, Peru, Uganda, Poland, Los Angeles, Ghana, and Rome, and are all paired with descriptive captions. Phrases like “It was a miracle,” “We are proud to be Jewish” and “We share the light in our hearts” are integrated into each page spread. The impressive “More About Hanukkah” section includes basic facts, instructions for lighting the menorah and playing dreidel, a potato latke recipe, books and websites for further reading, a glossary, and a world map indicating the places where the photos were taken. Part of National Geographic’s “Holidays Around the World” series, this will be a welcome addition for all libraries. Jewish libraries in particular will eagerly await the upcoming titles on Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Ages 6 and up.
Discussion Questions
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