Book Review | Hanukkah Moon
by Deborah daCosta
Score: 4
Illustrated by Mosz, Gosia
© 2007 Kar-Ben Publishing
What a delightful, beautiful, charming and multicultural Hanukkah story. Aunt Luisa is from Mexico and is celebrating Hanukkah and has invited her niece, Isobel, to celebrate with her at her home. Apparently, in Mexico they celebrate the Hanukkah Moon, which is the Rosh Hodesh moon during Hanukkah. While Isobel is not so sure she is going to get the Hanukkah, she wants during her visit, in the end she gets a Hanukkah she never dreamed of.
This charming picture book is filled with magic – “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” in Spanish, a Hanukkah piñata, respect for animals, the story of Rosh Hodesh. Gorgeous, warm, earth-tone illustrations wrap you in the story. The text is engaging and enchanting while educating the reader to new customs.
Hanukkah Moon would make a wonderful classroom reading time event followed by learning about the Hanukkah customs of other countries (combine it with Hanukkah Around the World.) A Family Education day where students share the customs in their own families would be another idea this book could generate.
While I often feel the world could do with less Hanukkah titles, this is a unique and special addition to any Jewish bookshelf.
Grade Level: K-3
Tags: Hanukkah, Sephardic customs
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