Review: Happy HanukKAT
Happy HanukKAT
by Jessica Hickman, illustrated by Elissambura
Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2025
Category: Board Books
Reviewer: Sarah Clarke
Happy HanukKat is a cute board book that showcases a cat family celebrating Hanukkah. The story begins with the cats getting dressed up in festive sweaters and hats. The young kittens play dreidel, while the adult cats make latkes. After lighting the menorah and reading the story of the Maccabees, delicious jelly donuts are served. The story ends with a warm wish of Happy HanukKAT at the closing of the holiday.
This story is a great read for very young children. It’s simple and to the point. The puns and jokes made, like "the Maccabees were pawsitively brave,” are simple enough that most children will understand them. For the children who don’t understand, it doesn’t take anything away from the story. The rhyming scheme of the books works well, making it a good option for a read-aloud. There was one spelling error in the advanced review copy: “festifal”, rather than festival. The punny nature of the book will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The story also makes a nod to diversity, noting that there are cats of different stripes. The art is whimsical and matches the playful tone of the book. The descriptions given in the text match what is shown on the page, making it a great conversation starter for caregivers and children.
This is a sweet story aimed at young children who are still learning about the Jewish holidays. It gives a quick explanation of the most popular Hanukkah customs: playing dreidel, eating latkes (with applesauce) and sufganiyot, telling the story of Hanukkah, and enjoying the company of family and friends. This board book makes for a great introductory read for Jewish and non-Jewish children alike. There are cats in kippahs, while others just wear dreidel-decorated party hats. The story itself is not forced and does a good job of making Hanukkah both exciting and ordinary, giving it a fun slice-of-Jewish-life appeal for toddlers. Overall, it makes for a solid addition to your Hanukkah collection.
This is a sweet story aimed at young children who are still learning about the Jewish holidays. It gives a quick explanation of the most popular Hanukkah customs: playing dreidel, eating latkes (with applesauce) and sufganiyot, telling the story of Hanukkah, and enjoying the company of family and friends. This board book makes for a great introductory read for Jewish and non-Jewish children alike. There are cats in kippahs, while others just wear dreidel-decorated party hats. The story itself is not forced and does a good job of making Hanukkah both exciting and ordinary, giving it a fun slice-of-Jewish-life appeal for toddlers. Overall, it makes for a solid addition to your Hanukkah collection.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REVIEWING BOOKS FOR THE SYDNEY TAYLOR SHMOOZE? CLICK HERE
Reviewer Sarah Clarke is the Head of Children’s Services for Great Neck Library, on Long Island, NY. When she’s not working, or reading, she can be found at home with her family (probably still reading).
Comments
Post a Comment