Praise for A Dragon for Hanukkah:
* "[A] story that will bring smiles to readers' faces as they feel the immense joy on every page with Hannah taking them through her magical world... A heartwarming story celebrating Hanukkah that is both cheerful and informational." —School Library Journal, starred review
"An appealing and magical celebration of the Festival of Lights." — Kirkus Reviews"[An] imaginative holiday adventure... Landy's fanciful illustrations depict Hannah's adventures... with lively cartooning and plenty of swirls and sparkles." —Publishers Weekly
"A smile on every page. This is the most joyful Hanukkah picture book I have ever read." — Emily Jenkins, author of the Sydney Taylor Award-winning All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah
"I love, loved this book! A Dragon for Hanukkah is a magical celebration of family, friends, and the gifts of imagination, with a lovely surprise twist." — Alan Silberberg, author of Meet the Latkes
"The joyful Jewish book we all need. A wonderful blend of Jewish celebration, values, fantasy, with a sprinkle of history on top!" — Liz Kleinrock, co-author of Eyes That Weave The World's Wonders
"This delightful, brightly colored celebration of Hanukkah will bring joy to kids during the holiday. There are so many fun elements like unicorns, a rainbow, and even a merry-go-round. And there's a lovable dragon named Nerry! Not your everyday fare found in any other picture books about Hanukkah. A great book for any child celebrating the eight days of this important Jewish holiday." — Laura Numeroff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Praise for Whatever After:
"An uproariously funny read. The swift pace of the tale and non-stop action... will enchant readers from the first page." — Kirkus Reviews
"Hilarious... with unexpected plot twists and plenty of girl power." — Booklist
"Giddy, fizzy, hilarious fun!" — Lauren Myracle, author of Luv Ya Bunches
"Tons of fractured fairy tale fun!" — Meg Cabot, author of Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls and The Princess Diaries
"The feminist in me adored it, and the mother in me loved how my daughter would long to cuddle in close as we read together." — Danielle Herzog, blogging for The Washington Post
★ 09/01/2024
PreS-Gr 2—It's Hanukkah, and that means a special gift every night for eight nights. Hannah, a young girl with tan skin and brown hair, gets gifts from her parents, Bubbie, brother, other family members, and friends. As Hannah opens her gifts each night, readers are taken on an extraordinary adventure down a rainbow path, onto a merry-go-round, and even through a time machine to meet the Maccabees from 10,000 years ago. When it is finally time for dinner on the eighth night, readers unwrap Hannah's mystical journey as she cleans up her bedroom where she has been playing. The last two pages provide information on Hanukkah through Hannah in conversation with the dragon. Mlynowski presents a story that will bring smiles to readers' faces as they feel the immense joy on every page with Hannah taking them through her magical world. VERDICT A heartwarming story celebrating Hanukkah that is both cheerful and informational.—Kelly Richards
2024-07-19
A child describes a series of gifts given by family and friends for Hanukkah.
The first is from young Hannah’s parents: a dragon named Nerry. Hannah details the presents received on the next nights of Hanukkah: a rainbow that “[spills] down the stairs,” a treasure chest filled with gold coins, a merry-go-round, a time machine that takes Hannah back to the ancient days of the Maccabees, a pair of “rocket boots,” and three boisterous unicorns. On the eighth and final night, it’s Hannah’s turn to give gifts; the child is preparing a “tasty treat.” Readers also discover that Hannah has been describing the presents very inventively. Nerry the dragon’s actually a stuffed animal; the rainbow’s a multicolored drawing; the treasure chest is an assortment of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. Hannah’s gift to others? A large batch of latkes. Hannah shares them with family and friends at a festive holiday dinner, “which makes this last night, / the eighth night, / the most magical night… // of Hanukkah.” Kids will enjoy this simple, inviting reminder that the holiday is about warmth and togetherness. The dynamic, colorful illustrations are full of imaginative imagery and present familiar holiday symbols, including menorahs (Nerry lights the candles by breathing fire in one scene), stars of David, dreidels, and jelly doughnuts. Hannah’s family is pale-skinned; the dinner guests are racially and ethnically diverse.
An appealing and magical celebration of the Festival of Lights. (more information about Hanukkah)(Picture book. 4-7)
