The Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish temple after a group of ancient heroes defended their right to worship as they wished. This handsome little counting book honors the most joyful of Jewish holidays, and teaches readers how to count from one to eight in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. With every page, another die-cut menorah candle appears, as well as the spelling and pronunciation of the ascending numbers in each language. On the opposite page of each two-page spread, symbols of Hanukkah are featured against bold, colorful backdrops: "one Hanukkah menorah," "four dreidels," "seven potato pancakes," etc., along with the Hebrew and Yiddish terms. Author Emily Sper shares her childhood memories of lighting the Hanukkah menorah, and a brief, age-appropriate story explains the symbols and meanings behind the holiday. This is a book best read together with a loving grownup who can elaborate on the rituals and stories of the Festival of Lights. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Noteworthy graphics and clever use of design elements jazz up a small (9" 7") paper-over-board book that counts up from one through the eight nights of the holiday. Newcomer Sper introduces familiar and less obvious aspects of Hanukkah (e.g., three stands for the elephants, which, as an endnote explains, were used by the attacking Syrian-Greeks). Die-cuts show the correct number of "candles" on each spread, made all the more pleasing by strong, clear color combinations and color-coded fonts. Each page includes Hebrew and Yiddish words, transliterations and pronunciations. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

K-Gr 3-In this visually appealing book, children are invited to count menorah candles and other holiday objects in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. The three languages are printed in different colors, and the Hebrew and Yiddish are shown both phonetically and in the Hebrew alphabet. A pronunciation guide and a brief explanation of the Hanukkah story are included. The strength of the book is its use of simple, bold illustrations and colored fonts against solid backgrounds. The pages are die cut to illustrate the candles, which clutters up the otherwise simple design. A good choice for large collections.-E. M.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.