Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles

David A. Adler is the author of more than 250 books foryoung readers, including the popular Cam Jansen and Young Cam Jansen series,and many books on Jewish topics. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

Alittle girl watches a poor man take a bruised apple from the market's discardpile and finds a way to help him. Sara's keen observation from her apartmentwindow makes her wonder if the man is hungry all the time and if he might needa friend. In school, she keeps thinking about him, and at snack time, she savesher cookie to leave by the discard fruit bin the next day. At the oneg Shabbatafter services on Friday, Sara recognizes the man eating challah and drinkinggrape juice. She then creates and leaves a Hanukkah goody bag complete with ahomemade menorah, latkes, and cookies. When the rabbi tells her that his nameis Morris and that he lives alone and helps each Friday with setting up for thereception, Sara then decides to invite him for a Shabbat and Hanukkah dinner.The importance of tzedakah, or giving to those less fortunate, is the overlyingtheme in this gentle story about generosity and caring for others, something tobe mindful of each Shabbat and on Hanukkah. Full-bleed paintings show exaggeratedand elongated cartoon-style figures living in an ethnically diverse urbanneighborhood. Many scenes are viewed from below, offering a child'sperspective, and light and shadows from a sunny window are also some of themany artistic details that give this narrative depth. A sweet and compassionateintroduction to an important Jewish custom. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)--Kirkus ReviewsOftentimes, stories about giving tzedakah (charity) are heavy-handed andpedantic, then along comes a jewel of a story that shows how this mitzvahenriches the giver as well as the receiver.The lively acrylic illustrations are filled with whimsy and humor. With varyingperspectives and an appealing layout, Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles is a bookthat will give pleasure many times over. A Note for Families about the story ofHanukkah and its customs is included at the back. --AJL Reviews, Anne Dublin,author of 44 Hours or Strike