Hanukkah Is Coming! (Tracy Newman's Jewish Celebrations)

In this board book, a companion to 2014's Shabbat Is Coming!, rhythmic verse follows a family as its members light the menorah, fry latkes, enjoy dreidels and gelt, and spend time together during Hanukkah. The title repeats as a refrain after each of Newman's gentle rhymes, giving the book a soothing structure: "Winter is near./ Long nights are here./ Hanukkah is coming./ All in a row/ Our candles will glow./ Hanukkah is coming." Skillful use of drop shadows brings a subtle three-dimensional quality to Garofoli's crisp digital illustrations, while the images' canvaslike textures are suggestive of the homey closeness of the family's Hanukkah's celebrations. Ages 1-4. (Sept.)

Toddler-PreS—In this board book, a rhyming couplet on each page ("We've practiced each song./We'll all sing along.") is followed by the words "Hanukkah is coming" as a round-faced family of mother, father, brother, sister, and dog light candles, fry latkes, exchange presents, eat gelt, and "march like Maccabees." VERDICT An adequate but not particularly compelling offering for young children already familiar with the holiday.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

This is a cheerfully illustrated board book written in rhyme with meter that properly scans. Each three line stanza shares an aspect of Hanukkah and ends with the line 'Hanukkah is coming', building excitement and glee. The final page satisfyingly ends with the line 'Hurray! Hanukkah is here!' A fun addition to the shelf for the very young who want to turn the pages themselves. — Jewish Book Council