Review: Latke's First Hanukkah

Latke's First Hanukkah

written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg

Viking Books for Young Readers (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2023

Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Elizabeth Suneby

Buy at Bookshop.org

While Latke’s First Hanukkah is Alan Silberberg’s first board book, it is not his first book for young children that combines food with fun.

Through animated latkes and other holiday food characters and objects—including jelly donuts, chocolate gelt, spinning dreidels, and wrapped gifts, he includes highlights of the holiday: lighting the menorah for eight nights, welcoming friends, celebrating light, and even the applesauce versus sour cream latke topping debate.

Simple counting, bright colors, and cheerful illustrations make for an inviting introduction to the Festival of Lights for little ones.

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Reviewer Elizabeth Suneby is an award-winning children's book author whose Jewish-themed titles include the picture book NO ROOM FOR A PUP! -- a modern twist on a Yiddish folktale-- and THAT'S A MITZVAH -- a board book in a three book mitzvah series. She was thrilled to be part of the PJ Library Author Israel Adventure 2023 and has several books in the pipeline inspired by the trip.


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