Alas, there is no holiday illumination here.
Which candle will have the place of honor on the menorah?
Nine anthropomorphic candles are at first overjoyed to welcome Hanukkah but then face a crisis. Who is to be the shamash, or helper candle, who glows the highest? As Waxy the wise candle tells the story of the holiday, the others, all primped and groomed, noisily push themselves forward. All except Little Flicker, that is, who has a big heart and a solid work ethic. Even Sparky and Sparkle, the Shabbat candles, put forth their fitness for the position. (One sports a pink bow in its wick and the other a blue bow tie.) Then Ms. Wicks, the Havdalah candle lit at the conclusion of Shabbat, presents her qualifications. Little Flicker softly reminds them that the number of candles lit increases nightly so “the light in the world should only grow brighter.” All the others now know that pious, modest Flicker should be selected. The Hanukkah candles are depicted in the cartoon illustrations in different colors and with variably expressive faces. What is certain to confuse observant readers is that a box of Hanukkah candles actually contains 44, because after they are lit the candles burn down completely each night. Problematically for readers who are shomer Shabbat, the text states that Shabbat candles are lit “exactly at sunset” when in fact care should be taken that they be lit several minutes earlier. The tale ends with a family scene of gluttony-filled latke and jelly-doughnut consumption.
Alas, there is no holiday illumination here. (authors’ note) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-998-8527-5-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kalaniot Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Not enough tricks to make this a treat.
Another holiday title (How To Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Elkerton, 2017) sticks to the popular series’ formula.
Rhyming four-line verses describe seven intrepid trick-or-treaters’ efforts to capture the witch haunting their Halloween. Rhyming roadblocks with toolbox is an acceptable stretch, but too often too many words or syllables in the lines throw off the cadence. Children familiar with earlier titles will recognize the traps set by the costume-clad kids—a pulley and box snare, a “Tunnel of Tricks.” Eventually they accept her invitation to “floss, bump, and boogie,” concluding “the dance party had hit the finale at last, / each dancing monster started to cheer! / There’s no doubt about it, we have to admit: / This witch threw the party of the year!” The kids are diverse, and their costumes are fanciful rather than scary—a unicorn, a dragon, a scarecrow, a red-haired child in a lab coat and bow tie, a wizard, and two space creatures. The monsters, goblins, ghosts, and jack-o'-lanterns, backgrounded by a turquoise and purple night sky, are sufficiently eerie. Still, there isn’t enough originality here to entice any but the most ardent fans of Halloween or the series. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Not enough tricks to make this a treat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72821-035-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
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