FICTION

Yitzi and the Giant Menorah

by Richard UNGAR
illus. by Richard Ungar. 32p. Tundra. Sept. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781770498129.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2—This Hanukkah story takes place in the fabled Polish town of Chelm, a shtetl inhabited by Jewish residents whose logic and behavior are known to be a bit foolish. The mayor of nearby Lublin has given the town a menorah as large as a tree to light in the village square, and the Chelmites spend the first seven nights of Hanukkah attempting, and failing, to find a suitable way to express their gratitude. When Rifka the cook asks Shmulik the herring vendor to deliver a special batch of latkes to the mayor, Shmulik can't help but eat them on his way. Hayim the water carrier declares that he will bring the mayor two barrels of sparkly white snow, but when it melts, he wonders who stole it. It is young Avram who comes up with the perfect solution, urging the villagers to cart the menorah to the top of a hill on the last night of Hanukkah, where its light shines all the way to Lublin. Ungar's watercolor monoprints have a Chagall-like feel and are filled with vibrant color and humor, adding to the overall appeal. A description of the story of Hanukkah is appended.
VERDICT Successfully blending Jewish folklore and distinctive visuals, this holiday title shines bright. A must-purchase for holiday collections.
Reviewed by Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
After the people of Chelm receive a giant menorah from the mayor of nearby Lublin, they spend Hanukkah seeking a way to thank him instead of celebrating. Since Chelm is famous in Jewish folklore for being a city of fools, the townspeople's plans never quite work out. (A gift of snow? What could go wrong?) It makes for a frustrating Hanukkah for the Chelmites-if an amusing one for readers-until young Yitzi finds a simple, festive solution. The text's conversational storytelling style invites readers (or listeners) to settle in, while wildly bright watercolor monoprints, often balanced by black-and-white spot art on facing pages, reflect both the Chelmites' confusion and their sense of wonder. An author's note gives background on the holiday (though, somewhat foolishly, not on Chelm). shoshana flax
The people of Chelm (a city of fools) receive a giant menorah from a nearby mayor. The townspeople's plans to thank him never quite work out, which makes for a frustrating Hanukkah--until young Yitzi finds a simple, festive solution. The amusing, conversational storytelling style invites readers to settle in; wildly bright watercolor monoprints reflect the Chelmites' confusion and sense of wonder.
 , Oct 01, 2016

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

I Like Hoops
by Ford, Juwanda G
FICTION

Octopus Moves
by Barner, Bob
FICTION

As the World Goes By
by Lambert, Jonny
FICTION

Axolotl and Axolittle
by Hitchman, Jess
FICTION

Across the Ice: How We Saved the Ojibwe Horse
by Whitecrow, Darcy & Heather M. O’Connor
FICTION

Popcorn Bob Can’t Stop ­Popping
by Rinck, Maranke
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?