Review: The Mouse Who Loved Latkes

The Mouse Who Loved Latkes

written and illustrated by Joy Nelkin Wieder

Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Claire Freeland

 

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The Mouse Who Loved Latkes tells the story of a mouse who fears his home’s new feline residents, the Katz family. The littlest cat, Kitty, spots the mouse exploring, drawn out of his hole by delicious smells. A “cat and mouse game” ensues. But Kitty is only interested in making a friend. The mouse is torn between worry that Kitty will eat him and curiosity about the delicious doughnut crumbs, chocolate bits, and a strange item that we know is a dreidel. Finally, Kitty convinces the mouse to help make latkes. Now comfortable with Kitty and Mrs. Katz, he runs away once again when he sees Mr. Katz with a scary object but is reassured upon learning that it’s a menorah. The mouse joins the Katz family in lighting the menorah and eating latkes. The twist at the end about why the Katz family has no interest in eating the mouse brings laughter to all. Spoiler alert: The Katz family is Jewish and mice aren’t kosher! The delightful drawings are engaging and lively. The text and art fit together beautifully, as you would expect from an author-illustrator.

The Jewish content, items associated with Hanukkah, and reference to the Hanukkah miracle, are embedded in a friendship story. The backmatter contains a latke recipe, instructions for playing dreidel, and a glossary with an explanation of Hanukkah. The story seems primarily intended for a Jewish audience. A non-Jewish reader might not fully understand all the Hanukkah references, but the friendship story is certainly universal. 

 

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Reviewer Claire Freeland is a Baltimore, Maryland based children's book writer. She has co-authored eight books, published by Magination Press, that guide children and teens in new ways of thinking about feelings and behaviors, and introduce the science of psychology. Her current work focuses on Jewish-themed board and picture books.