HANUKKAH BEAR, GRANDFATHER'S COAT & More

            By J.G. Annino

            I’m in research mode for an article a Holocaust

educator asked me to write in promotion of a great January

2016 event in our town, involving the story of Anne Frank.

            And so I’ve found a treasure of new books/books new to me

on several Jewish topics, which I feel privileged to know.

            I’m happy to share some of the picture books. They aren’t

about the Holocaust, but have titles such as HANUKKAH BEAR.

            Researching the piece this week creates a harmonic convergence.

            When I approach the commemoration of the U.S. entry into

the Allies’ fight against the Axis in WWII (Monday Dec. 7

is Pearl Harbor Day) I smile about my wonderful parents’ roles

in WWII.

            My father volunteered for WWII as a drill sergeant.  My mother,

still single & who hadn’t met Dad yet,  helped on the home front in

several ways, including as Victory Garden Editor for her newspaper.

            Then I find as I interview people about this Anne Frank event, I am

joyfully wishing them bright Hanukkah lights. This year, the holiday

begins this Sunday, Dec. 6.

           

            So I briefly present bright titles that may make good gifts, in this

month of giving.  And they would be good to borrow from your library.

MY GRANDFATHER’s COAT 

Jim Aylesworth/Barbara McClintock

http://www.barbaramcclintockbooks.com/books.html

http://www.aylesworth.net/Confidence_family_DWT_CSS/ff_jim.htm

 This is a family story that celebrates love, resourcefulness & men who sew. It will

also appeal to rhymers & readers of rhymes. It is a deft retelling of a treasured old

Yiddish tale. The ilustrations are joyful and layered with great details.

THE CASTLE ON HESTER STREET           

Linda Heller/ Boris Kulikov

The grandfather spins wild tales about immigration to America.

And the grandmother keeps things more realistic. It’s like a dueling story,

page to page. Meet up with Moishe, a singing goat & of course, that castle.

It's also a retelling.

http://www.lindaheller.net/index.htm

http://www.boriskulikov.com/

NAMING LIBERTY

Jane Yolen/Jim Burke

A Russian family emigrates through Ellis Island, sending son Shmuel on ahead to secure a job. They follow with the daughter, Gitl. In Jane Yolen’s lyrical language, this is a story rich in well-researched historical scene-setting, made doubly vivid with the Jim Burke art.

http://janeyolen.com/about-site/

http://jimburkeillustration.com/publishing.htm

HANUKKAH BEAR

Eric Kimmel/Mike Wahnovtka

Grandma bakes latkes for the rabbi, but guess who’s coming to dinner, instead?

A delightful remake of a 1990 story (THE CHANUKAH GUEST.)

http://ericakimmel.com/erics-books/

ONE LITTLE CHICKEN

Elka Weber/Elisa Kleven

Young Leora helps her father keep a wayward chicken in their yard comfy, so it can later 

be reunited with the unknown owner. This retelling of a lovely tale of honesty, is inspired by Deuteronomy, chapter 22, verses 1-3. It highlights the rabbinical teaching that  “finders isn’t keepers.”

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/105835/elka-weber

http://www.elisakleven.com/#!one-little-chicken/c131k

(On a personal note, I was thrilled to read at the illustrator’s blog that Elsa Kleven’s mother, Lorraine Art Schneider, created “Primer, the iconic “War is not healthy for children and other living things” miniature art known around the world. I have kept a copy of this close to me for decades.)

THE MATZAH BALL FAIRY

 Carla Heymsfeld/ Vlad Guzner

Float along with Freida’s relatives, as she has fun in the kitchen.

A silly out-of-print romp.

              I hope your December is filled with joy & more giving of thanks.