Here is a book that contains all the fun of Hanukkah latkes in a humor-filled, vividly illustrated, rhyming confection. Big Larry is an alligator with a toothy but friendly grin who has been in the latke business for years, selling his delectable pancakes from a food truck. He has a large, enthusiastic following, and his many customers eagerly line up for his Hanukkah treats.One day Larry decides to be creative and vary the traditional recipe, substituting a variety of fruits and vegetables for the traditional potatoes in hopes of landing on the perfect innovation. Peppers, pears, perhaps artichokes…there are so many choices for Larry to try. Starfruit, kiwi, apricots, berries…the world is full of possibilities.But as appealing as each of the new choices may be, none seems to quite fill the bill — the pancakes don’t have their usual texture or crunch. With spirit and verve, Larry keeps trying; he simply refuses to give up. And then, finally, he creates a perfect blend of the traditional and the new. Success at last!Larry’s traditional latke recipe is included along with a recipe for his ultimate creation — Big Larry’s Rainbow Latkes with Fresh Rainbow Salsa.The rollicking tale has a number of gentle messages: finding new challenges, sticking to them until you achieve success, combining family traditions with creative approaches, and more. Other Hanukkah-themed stories will teach children more about the history and customs of the holiday. This one is purely delicious fun.--Michal Malen, JEWISH BOOK COUNCILCan a Hanukkah latke be potato-less?Larry is an alligator with a food truck. His customers range from mice to moose, and all are eager eaters. Larry uses his granny’s recipe but wonders if there is more to a latke than potatoes, onions, and matzo meal. Holding his basket, he visits a busy farmers market, selecting peppers, tomatillos, and pears, among other ingredients—but no potatoes. The culinary results are unsuccessful. He continues to pursue a new recipe in trial-and-error fashion using the newfound ingredients. It’s a catalog of foodie delicacies: leek, Camembert, kale, quince, chard, and more. He produces “a soggy mess” and “mushy-gushy glop.” With failure over the stove about to befall him, Larry turns back to the tried-and-true potato, returning to the farmers market on a “gator-tater quest.” At last the something-old, something-new formula achieves success. It’s a Hanukkah party for all as his very happy and hungry friends celebrate the first night of the holiday with a new twist on a traditional treat. The cartoon illustrations are bold and brash, brimming over the pages with activity. With more to say about farmers markets and cooking than Hanukkah (though a short note discusses the miracle of the oil), this title gives readers who celebrate the holiday the sort of playful, largely secular experience found in countless Christmas books.Try this different but tasty recipe for latkes. (recipe) (Picture book. 4-7)--KIRKUS REVIEWSFood-truck owner Big Larry (an alligator) has always sold latkes from Grandma Gold Gator's recipe, but this year he decides to try new flavors.The farmers' market provides options, but his peach-, turnip-, and camembert-based latkes are each missing a key ingredient. Never fear: he comes to his senses, and the results are a delicious innovation in fusion dining. A well-metered text and friendly, cartoonish illustrations make for an inviting story of mixing old and new. Back matter gives brief, miracle-focused information about the holiday as well as a recipe for latkes--with fresh rainbow salsa.--Shoshana Flax, HORN BOOKThis funny story will inspire some tinkering with the family latke recipe. Alligator chef Big Larry serves up fried perfection at his latke truck every year. But for his 10th annual Hanukkah party, he decides to shake up Grandma Golda Gator’s tried-and-true recipe. Scouring the farmer’s market, he finds exciting new ingredients and whips up distinct culinary mixtures—all of which turn into a soggy mess. Luckily, he discovers the secret to gourmet latke success and, with the help of his animal friends, pulls off a delicious Hanukkah miracle. Waldman’s clever rhymes will have kids giggling as they convey a gentle message about reimagining cherished traditions while preserving their strengths. Whitehouse’s adorable neighborhood of animals—from moose to mice—complement the playful text. At the end, Big Larry’s unique recipe is revealed for young cooks to try at home.--Sarah Yahr Tucker, HADASSAH MAGAZINEJust when you thought there couldn't be another take on Hanukkah latkes, along comes Jenna Waldman’s delightful picture book, Larry’s Latkes. The main character, Larry, is an alligator with a friendly toothy smile who owns a once-a-year food truck that sells only latkes. All the animals in town look forward to patronizing Larry’s mobile establishment every Hanukkah because Larry makes the best latkes using his Grandma Golda Gator’s secret recipe. This year though, Larry starts thinking about changing things up, “But years of just potatoes make him wonder,/‘Is there more?’/The world is full of flavors I have never tried before.”Larry rushes to the fruit and vegetable market to purchase artichokes, plums, melons, okra, peaches, tomatillos, etc. He soon learns that this rainbow of colors and flavors, although beautiful, don’t make tasty latkes. Larry has a big problem and wonders how to fix it. In a eureka moment, with potatoes dancing above his head, Larry realizes, “My latkes need POTATOES like a bagel needs its lox!” Just in time for the Hanukkah party, all the animals in the neighborhood help Larry peel, chop and mix the potatoes into a new hybrid latke that combines “the taste of something new with flavors from the past!”Soon everyone is celebrating the first night of Hanukkah around Larry’s fun food truck, lighting the candles and eating the tasty new latkes. Waldman brings together the best of all story elements in this fine addition to everyone’s Hanukkah collection: food, friendship and innovation. She even includes a must-try recipe for “Big Larry’s Rainbow Latkes with Fresh Rainbow Salsa” at the end. Ben Whitehouse’s digitally rendered illustrations pack a lot of color, information and emotion into each page. By the end, the reader wishes Larry would drive his latke food truck to their neighborhood.--Rena Citrin, Association of jewish Libraries
