Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor: A Story for Hanukkah

Hanukkah heroism helps a little boy face his fears about getting an inoculation. Judah faces many challenges in his desire “to be the BEST big brother ever.” He tries to play with his baby sister, Hannah, and to help her eat her breakfast, but she isn’t satisfied. (She is a baby, after all.) Then as Hanukkah approaches, his bubbe tells him the story of Judah Maccabee, who had four brothers and who “protected them and kept the Jewish people safe, too.” The numerous, white members of Judah’s family gather to celebrate the holiday as the first of eight candles burns brightly in the window, and Judah receives a present: a shield decorated with the Maccabee name. On the last day of the holiday, it’s time for the titular visit to the doctor, a black woman. Hannah and Judah get a thorough checkup, and both are pronounced healthy. Then Judah learns that he will need a shot to help protect both him and his little sister from illness. With his shield in hand and a few tears, Judah gets his inoculation. Koffsky tackles two seemingly disparate subjects for a very young audience and their caregivers, combining Hanukkah themes of bravery with the importance of inoculations that can also protect those too young to receive shots. Colorful art with expressive faces fills the pages.A special shield provides courage on the battlefield and in the doctor’s office. (author’s note) (Picture book/religion. 3-6) --Kirkus ReviewsAnna Kofksy, author of a children’s book on vaccination, sent me a copy of her book, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor, and I was pleasantly surprised by how perfectly it addressed the topic of childhood vaccination. I had initially expected a simplistic, “Bernstein Bear” kind of storybook.It was nothing I had anticipated. It was wise, creative, empathetic. Instead of simply focusing on the importance of vaccines in preventing illness, it points to the important but often-forgotten point in protecting OTHERS who cannot get their immunizations. Judah is afraid of a shot but when his dad points out that his baby sister Hannah is too young for her vaccines and needs Judah to be immunized to prevent passing on diseases to her , Judah agrees. And he cries, but briefly. Tying this sweet children’s story to the Chanukah story where Judah is proud to learn that his namesake, Judah Maccabee, was also a brave and strong warrior on behalf of his family and other Jews, is just another layer to this fabulous children’s book. My children love how the sibling relationship is depicted. They delight when Hannah tips the tower Judah built for her. They love the honesty where Judah is scared of the doctor, and how he does cry briefly after his shot. I love the siblings' portrayal as well, and I love the emphasis on vaccination to protect those vulnerable around us. The easy explanation goes a long way in explaining immunology. – Interview with Blima Marcus for AJL News