Kugel for Hanukkah? - Hardcover

Everin, Gretchen M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1541534646 ISBN 13: 9781541534643

Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®, 2019

Synopsis

As each of Hanukkah's first seven nights brings an unusual new present to a little girl, the mystery deepens. While the gifts grandma receives add up to a delicious Hanukkah treat, her granddaughter's gifts don't seem to make much sense. Until the eighth night they finally do!

About this title

About the Author:

Gretchen M. Everin wrote her first story when her oldest child was a baby and hasn't stopped since. When not writing, she volunteers in an elementary school library. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and three children.

Rebecca Ashdown is an award-winning and internationally published author and illustrator. She grew up on the south coast of England, where she spent most of her childhood running wild, drawing and writing, or lost in the pages of a book. She lives with her family in Stroud, UK.

Review:

"Each night of Hanukkah, our young narrator receives a gift that makes little sense on its own: 'a hard metal lamp,' 'a squeezy-squirty spray bottle.' It all adds up to a (living) surprise, while the family members' gifts to Grandma add up to a different surprise that gives the former its name. (Hint: those weary of latkes may be relieved to find an appended recipe that matches the book's title.) The implied guessing game should keep readers turning pages, while increasingly creative latke varieties after each candle-lighting add some eight-nights-is-a-lot humor. Pastel-toned illustrations create a sense of happy family celebration."―The Horn Book Magazine

(Journal)

"It's Hanukkah time, and the family gathers every night to light candles, open presents, and enjoy a different
flavor of latkes. Grandma receives some interesting gifts (dried cranberries, chocolate chips, cinnamon
sticks, and vanilla), but the unnamed protagonist's gifts are very strange indeed (a metal lamp, a
thermometer, a spray bottle, and a ceramic bowl). By the last night, it's clear that Grandma has received
ingredients to make a cranberry–chocolate chip kugel (recipe appended); but the young girl is confused
and disappointed. However, while she helps Grandma cook, the rest of the family busily assembles her real
gift: an iguana and habitat. Kudos to Everin for finding a unique take on Hanukkah, no small feat given the
proliferation of titles about this celebration. Ashdown's cheerful, cartoon-style art features googly-eyed
characters usually depicted sitting on the couch. Careful observers will note that the girl's thought bubbles
reveal what she would really like (a kitten, puppy, turtle, etc.), while Grandpa's socks reflect these wishes.
Not essential, but certainly fun."―Booklist (Journal)

"This pleasant Hanukkah book won't explain the holiday to newbies, but those in the know will enjoy following a child through a familiar experience. As each night of Hanukkah arrives, the narrator and her family light the candles and eat a different kind of latke. Each night her grandmother receives some specialty foods, while the child receives a series of oddly mysterious items rather than the pet she desperately wants. Finally, on the last night, there is no present for her. She and her grandmother enter the kitchen and use the grandmother's presents to prepare a kugel. When her present finally arrives―a pet iguana (all of her other gifts were objects to help care for it)―she is delighted and names it Kugel. The text is concise, the child's voice is authentic, the story is plausible, and the foreshadowed ending is satisfying. The tale reads aloud well and effectively depicts Hanukkah as simply part of life. Ashdown's illustrations are brightly colored and appear to be mixed-media, with some watercolor washes and texturing that looks to be provided with crayon or pastel. The characters have simple, round faces with large eyes and noses created with single lines. Grandma is slim and hip, with short, brown hair, skinny glasses, and jeans. The family presents as white, with the male characters sporting yarmulkes. VERDICT This is a sweet addition for public and Jewish libraries looking for a fun read to bulk up Hanukkah collections."―School Library Journal

(Journal)

"The traditional Ashkenazic Hanukkah treat of latkes is about to be replaced. The youngest sibling in an observant Jewish family narrates the family ritual of lighting the shamash, or helper candle, and then adding one more candle for each night of Hanukkah until, finally, eight are burning brightly. Blessings are recited and gifts are exchanged. The young narrator would like a cuddly animal but receives an odd assortment of presents. Or are they really that odd? At the same time, Grandma is opening an apron, a cookbook, and oven mitts. Eating a wide assortment of vegetable-filled latkes does not quite make the long-haired youngest sib happy until the final reveal―make that two! Grandma and her cooking utensils and ingredients result in a delicious if not traditional treat: 'Cranberry Chocolate Chip Hanukkah Kugel.' The recipe is included at the end of the story. Oh, and that wish for a pet is also fulfilled. It is not especially cuddly, but it will be well loved. Everin's tale is entertaining and happy and will make a pleasant addition to holiday book shelves. Ashdown's colorful illustrations feature a googly-eyed family and a menorah depicting each night of the holiday. The historical setting of Hanukkah is assumed. Presents for Hanukkah can be both surprising and perfect."―Kirkus

(Journal)

"Each night of Hanukkah, Grandma makes a different latke (sweet potato, beet, carrot). And each night also dashes the hopes of the young narrator for a Hanukkah pet; instead, she gets . . . a strange thermometer? A ceramic bowl? Her grandmother similarly receives gifts that seem to be part of a bigger plan: cinnamon sticks, chocolate, candied cranberries. On the eighth night, all is explained. The girl's gifts are the accessories necessary for a new pet iguana, while grandmother has everything to make a new variation of kugel―the girl's favorite dish and, henceforth, the iguana's name. With cheery, identically composed cartoon spreads leading up to the reveal (the family gathers on the sofa on at left, while the narrator unwraps gifts by the menorah at right), Everin and Ashdown build the suspense for their holiday mystery. A recipe for cranberry chocolate chip kugel is included."―Publishers Weekly

(Journal)

A little girl celebrates the eight nights of Hanukkah with her family, and each night brings a surprise ― although not the one she’s hoping for. The tone is set early on: “I lit the shamash and the first candle. Grandma said the blessing. Then we feasted on crispy potato latkes with sweet applesauce.” Her grandmother gets a gift of candied cranberries; the little girl, wanting a pet, instead gets a lamp. Each night the family lights another candle, eats more latkes (made with various ingredients and toppings), and the grandmother and girl each open a gift. At the end, the grandmother combines all her gifts to make the girl’s favorite treat ― kugel (noodle casserole, traditionally eaten during Passover). Later, we see that each of the child’s gifts relates to the surprise she receives on the last night: a new pet. Bright, cheerful illustrations pair with the sweet story.

(Blog)

About this edition

• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing ®
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1541534646
• ISBN 13: 9781541534643
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ashdown Rebecca