Book Review | Menorah Under the Sea
by Esther Susan Heller
Score: 3
© 2009 Kar-Ben Publishing
Jewish educators, teachers, librarians…this book proves that arts and crafts lessons are well worth your time and energy! Here is a wondrous book about a marine ecologist, doing research in Antarctica. Because it is summer time there, the sun never sets. Nevertheless, it is the first night of Hanukkah, he is missing his family and wondering how they are celebrating the holiday. While diving in deep, dark and very cold (28-33 degree Fahrenheit) water, he suddenly has an idea. He will create a Menorah out of sea urchins and take a picture of it. It appears that having a Ph.D. in Biology elicits and enhances the creative juices of one’s Judaism.
Seriously, though, this is an exceptional and interesting story about taking your Judaism with you wherever you go – even to the literal ends of the earth. It is about letting nature inspire you with its lessons and looking to the lessons of the Jewish people for insight as well. The text is age appropriate and sensitive. The photographs are fantastic and bring the Antarctic environment up close and personal. I especially like the picture of the divers sitting on the edge of the ice as the penguin walks by. I felt completely frozen looking at the pictures of the divers underwater.
This is a fun, unique and interesting Hanukkah/Science book for every library.
Grade Range: K – 4th Grades
Tags: Hanukkah
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