Jeremy's Dreidel

October 1, 2012

Gr 2-5-This slim volume is packed full of recipes, factoids, and festive ideas for celebrating the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. Beginning with an introduction that emphasizes the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians and the rededication of the Holy Temple, the book is organized into eight festive meals including a brunch, afternoon tea, Shabbat dinner, winter picnic, and Rosh Chodesh Twilight Supper. Each one features a type of latke, stretching the definition to include several nontraditional items that contain no potatoes but are fried in oil, such as Apple Latkes. Waffle Latkes with Yogurt contains no yogurt, but otherwise menus are creative and varied. Interesting facts are sprinkled throughout, and each recipe is coded for level of difficulty and kashruth (meat, dairy, or parve). Safety tips, craft ideas, candle blessings, and instructions for the dreidel game are also included. Colorful graphic art on each page adds to the appeal. A solid addition for most collections, despite the flimsy paperback format.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 17, 2012
Endearing illustrations highlight this sweet Hanukkah story about a boy who creates a special dreidel for his father. As the children gather at the Jewish Community Center for dreidel making, Jeremy meets some friends who have come with innovative plans to craft the traditional Hanukkah toy out of recycled materials, to design one that sings, and even to fashion a dreidel that bounces. But it is Jeremy’s idea of constructing a dreidel with braille letters as a gift for his blind father that most intrigues his classmates. Vivid colors and kid-friendly narration will help young readers learn about this important topic with sensitivity. Ages 5–9.

September 1, 2012
A special Hanukkah workshop at the Jewish Community Center gives Jeremy a chance to make a unique dreidel as a surprise gift for his father, who is blind. When the workshop leader welcomes everyone, materials are out and waiting. Abby is eager to make her dreidel from recycled materials, Jacob wants to reuse an old music box, and Matthew hopes to make his out of a rubber ball. As they begin working, Jeremy uses a simple lump of gray clay to create his dreidel, molding dots on each side. Confused and a bit intrigued, the other children watch Jeremy, wondering if the dots are a secret code, and learn they are, in fact, Braille. Jeremy explains that although blind, his dad leads a typical life of work and play, even helping with homework with the use of computer technology. Pastel drawings enhanced with some collage accents depict a modern-day Judaic learning environment. In addition to providing a positive perception of life with a disability, this tale also explains the story and concepts behind the holiday. A postscript includes several dreidel-making projects, instructions for the game and information about the English Braille alphabet. A nicely subtle approach to diversity. (Picture book. 5-7)

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January 1, 2013
At a dreidel-making workshop, Jeremy decides to make a Braille dreidel for his blind father, which occasions the provision of much information about how blind people communicate and get around. There is also much info about Hanukkah and its miracles; directions for making dreidels, rules for playing with them, and the Braille alphabet are appended. The illustrations are agreeably homey.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)