HANUKKAH MENORAH
From the How It's Made series
by Allison Ofanansky ; photographed by Eliyahu Alpern
An engaging glimpse into the art and craft behind Hanukkah candle lighting.
Starting with an overview of the holiday and a detailed description of the candelabra, Ofanansky proceeds to showcase three contemporary artisans who craft menorahs from brass, glass, and wood. Following this, she offers suggestions to children on making their own. Readers also learn how to fashion candles and how olive oil, also used during Hanukkah, is pressed. There are instructions for candle placement and lighting along with the prayers that are recited. The Hebrew cited is both transliterated and translated. Two important ingredients for a holiday celebration are also included: a recipe for potato latkes and one for doughnuts. Instructions for playing the dreidel game and making a dreidel follow. A generous assortment of color photographs, mostly close-up shots, adds to the package along with interactive activities. The adults and children in the photographs are white.
With the who, what, where, when, and how of Hanukkah, an informative addition to holiday shelves.
(Informational picture book. 8-12)