Yitzi and the Giant Menorah

The mayor of Lublin presents another village with a giant menorah for its town square: "Eight dazzling branches flowed from a magnificent stem." Such magnanimity demands an appropriate thank you, but what? Since the village in question is Chelm and, according to Jewish legend, populated by fools, finding the answer turns into a giddy, harebrained obsession. After several townspeople fail, young Yitzi devises a plan that not only works but also gets the Chelmites back in touch with the beauty and joy of Hanukkah. When Ungar's (Even Higher) compositions are tightly focused, his signature folkloric style and swirling pastels make for some stunning, if earnest (given the subject matter) images. But too many of the pictures lack interesting framings or narrative momentum and can feel more like a busy array of pretty colors. Ages 5-9. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Sept.)

This Hanukkah story takes place in the fabled Polish town of Chelm, a shtetl inhabited by Jewish residents whose logic and behavior are known to be a bit foolish. The mayor of nearby Lublin has given the town a menorah as large as a tree to light in the village square, and the Chelmites spend the first seven nights of Hanukkah attempting, and failing, to find a suitable way to express their gratitude. When Rifka the cook asks Shmulik the herring vendor to deliver a special batch of latkes to the mayor, Shmulik can't help but eat them on his way. Hayim the water carrier declares that he will bring the mayor two barrels of sparkly white snow, but when it melts, he wonders who stole it. It is young Avram who comes up with the perfect solution, urging the villagers to cart the menorah to the top of a hill on the last night of Hanukkah, where its light shines all the way to Lublin. Ungar's watercolor monoprints have a Chagall-like feel and are filled with vibrant color and humor, adding to the overall appeal. A description of the story of Hanukkah is appended. VERDICT Successfully blending Jewish folklore and distinctive visuals, this holiday title shines bright. A must-purchase for holiday collections.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library