Reviewing: “Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm,” by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Aleksandar Zolotic. Kar-Ben Publishing. 32 pages. 2017. ISBN-10: 151242093X.
Reviewing: “The Missing Letters: A Dreidel Story,” by Renee Londner, illustrated by Iryna Bodnaruk. Kar-Ben Publishing. 32 pages. 2017. ISBN-10: 1467794139.
Reviewing: “Sammy Spider’s Hanukkah Colors,” by Sylvia A. Rouss, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn. Kar-Ben Publishing. 12 pages. 2017. ISBN-10: 146775238X.
Kar-Ben Publishing, an award-winning publisher of children’s books, has released a number of new stories centered around Hanukkah. “Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm,” “The Missing Letters: A Dreidel Story” and “Sammy Spider’s Hanukkah Colors” are three such examples that highlight the creative stories the company has released. Easy and enjoyable reads for children, each book teaches readers a lesson about the holiday, while also providing charming illustrations that compliment the story. Readers will quickly become enamored by the witty aspects of the plot as the story comes alive through the pictures.
Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm, written by Linda Glaser and illustrated by Aleksandar Zolotic, tells the story of Faigel and her husband Shmuel. Faigel can make incredible latkes, but every Hanukkah season she doesn’t make enough for the town. Glaser, who has written over 30 children’s books, provides a story that any young reader can enjoy. With expressive and incredible illustrations from Zolotic, “Way Too Many Latkes” is likely to become an instant holiday classic.
The Missing Letters: A Dreidel Story, by Renee Londner and illustrated by Iryna Bodnaruk, is a short story about the letters on a dreidel. Having become jealous of gimel for being the only letter kids hope for when playing, the other letters decide to take matters into their own hands to make sure they become the favorites. Londner’s story is both creative and funny, which is further elevated by Bodnaruk’s illustrations. The expressions of the letters are particularity impressive, and they add an enjoyable aspect to the story.
Sammy Spider’s Hanukkah Colors, by Sylvia A. Rouss and illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn, is the newest edition in the Sammy Spider saga. For this iteration, Sammy learns about Hanukkah through the colors associated with holiday icons like the menorah and dreidels. Rouss, who is the creator of the Sammy Spider series, continues to deliver fantastic educational material through her character. Kahn’s illustrations have become a staple of the series, and she continues to deliver a true page turner for tots in this new story. This is a board book and suitable for very young children.
All three of the stories share the intention of educating young readers about Hanukkah. Rouss, Londer and Glaser are all accomplished writers with Kar-Ben Publishing, and their ability to explain things to children in a way that they can understand is on full display with these new stories. Enjoyable and creative reads, the most important aspect of the books is how engaging they are.
Kar-Ben Publishing has released over 150 children’s books since its inception in 1975. With new stories continuing to be released, the company strives to educate children on certain aspects of Judaism. According to their website, they publish between 12 and 15 books a year and focus on crafting “fiction and nonfiction for preschool through middle school, including holiday books, life-cycle stories, Bible tales, folk tales, board books and activity books, as well as stories that reflect the rich cultural diversity of today’s Jewish family.”
By Adam Samuel
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. When he isn’t busy reading the daily news, he divides his time between managing his blog, adamssoapbox.blog, and gradually learning how to play piano.
