By
– January 16, 2012
This entertaining book is appropriately titled, for it is filled with a delightful collection of handmade chanukiot. Author Penny Harow is the creative spirit behind every original design presented in her book. The decorations she uses often double as the candleholders themselves, and range from miniature cowbells and baby bottles to birthday cake candle holders and tiny fireman helmets. Many use an assortment of holders that have been glued either in front of or actually on top of a variety of miniature objects: basketballs, skateboards, clowns, and toys, to name a few. Harow has helicopters on chanukiot as well as puppy dogs, Spiderman, lipstick and little ponies. There is even one made of bouncy balls, connected to the base by magnets so they can be rearranged each night. She shows us customized chanukiot with teeth and toothbrushes for her dentist, and sewing tools for her seamstress. Each chanukiah has an accompanying photo and a brief description. These whimsical explanations are fun to read, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. Her puppy chanukiah, for example, is illustrated with an adorable girl holding a pooch on a leash and includes the following words: “PAWS for a moment and check out this chanukiah. Dog lovers from all WALKS of life won’t be able to LEASH their excitement over this menagerie of canines.” This is a fun book for a parent or grandparent to share with a young child. Recommended for adults to share with children ages 4 – 8, reading level ages 9 – 12.
Miriam Bauer is an attorney and former legal writing director at DePaul University College of Law. She lives in Chicago.