by Alison

I am reposting this review which was written last year. Hanukkah Haiku is a great book that  has helped my daughter Penny and I get into the “Festival of Lights” spirit for the second year in a row.  Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Life gets a little complex in our household around the winter holidays. My husband is Jewish while I was raised with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. And since Christmas can be pervasive around this time of year, we make a special effort to highlight Hanukkah in our household.

So I was thrilled to receive this great gift in the mail for Penny from her Grandma. Hanukkah Haiku, written by Marriet Ziefert and illustrated by Karla Gudeon, is a wonderful addition to our Hanukkah activities.

Hanukkah Haiku is a beautifully illustrated book that is perfectly suited for young children. It counts out the eight days and nights of Hanukkah through the imagery of the candles on the menorah and an accompanying haiku.

And I may be biased here, but Hanukkah Haiku is now my favorite Hanukkah book for young children. Through the simplicity of seventeen syllables the beauty of Hanukkah is clearly illustrated and functions as a wonderful introduction to the customs of this holiday. For example, with this haiku I was able to teach my two year old about the Shammash candle:

Two candles tonight.

Daddy holds the Shammash high.

It lights the others.

Penny has also learned about the excitement of the gift of gelt - gold coins (which in today’s world means shiny foiled chocolate coins). And so she especially enjoyed this haiku!

Five candles tonight.

Uncle gives a gift of gelt.

The coins are shiny.

The vibrant folksy illustrations are also a wonderful touch. With pictures of happy parents, uncle, grandparents and children enjoying latkas, dreidels, music and the beauty of the menorah, Hanukkah Haiku is charmingly festive.

And so yes, I’m feeling festive! We’ve been so busy enjoying the holidays that it has taken me to the 5th day of Hanukkah to publish this little review but all is good.

Happy Holidays everyone!