Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match

by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, CB Decker (Illustrator)

Overview

National Jewish Book Award Finalist!

Church and Synagogue Library Association Award For Children's Literature

“an assured comic rhythm” –Publisher’s Weekly

Farmer Kobi's well-mannered animals try hard to charm a haughty Hanukkah guest.

Farmer Kobi’s goats, donkey, and sheep know just how to play host, and they give Polly, Kobi’s Hanukkah guest, a gracious welcome. But when Polly isn’t sure animals belong in a house, what will happen next? Find out with laugh-out-loud pictures and puns that are sure to entertain all readers. As donkey says: Hee-Haw-Yahoo!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681155012
Publisher:	Behrman House, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/01/2015
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

09/14/2015
Once upon a time in modern Israel, there lived a handsome farmer named Kobi. He has an impressive spread of land in the moshav (a cooperative farming community) and doting animal friends, yet he yearns to find his “perfect match.” Farmer Kobi and the animals have high hopes for their Hanukkah dinner guest, but fashionista Polly is not cut out for a life in which animals eagerly involve themselves in everything from serving food to handing out Hanukkah song sheets (“Shouldn’t you animals be outside chasing things?” she sneers). This being a rom-com, however, true love is waiting in the wings. There’s a surfeit of groan-worthy animal punning (“ ‘Her name was Polly Ester—she was a faaake,’ baaed the sheep”), but the scenes between Polly and the animals have an assured comic rhythm, and Decker’s stylish, editorial watercolors handle the anthropomorphic interspecies humor with aplomb. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Once upon a time in modern Israel, there lived a handsome farmer named Kobi. He has an impressive spread of land in the moshav (a cooperative farming community) and doting animal friends, yet he yearns to find his perfect match. Farmer Kobi and the animals have high hopes for their Hanukkah dinner guest, but fashionista Polly is not cut out for a life in which animals eagerly involve themselves in everything from serving food to handing out Hanukkah song sheets (Shouldn't you animals be outside chasing things? she sneers). This being a rom-com, however, true love is waiting in the wings. There s a surfeit of groan-worthy animal punning (Her name was Polly Ester she was a faaake, baaed the sheep), but the scenes between Polly and the animals have an assured comic rhythm, and Decker's stylish, editorial watercolors handle the anthropomorphic interspecies humor with aplomb. Ages 4-8. —Publisher's Weekly

From the Publisher

10/01/2015
K-Gr 2—In this humorous yet confusing modern tale, Israeli Farmer Kobi has invited a guest to dinner for the second night of Hanukkah. Her name is Polly, and the animals on the farm are hoping that she and Farmer Kobi will be a perfect match. They all join in to help him get ready, including polishing the menorah and choosing his outfit, but things do not go well. Polly cannot understand what the geese, goats, sheep, and donkey are doing in the house, even after Farmer Kobi explains, "I wanted them to meet you." The visit ends before dinner begins, with Polly storming out the door, much to the animals' chagrin. "'Her name was Polly Ester—she was a faaake,' baaed the sheep." The good news is that this story has a happy ending. The bad news is that this tale has almost nothing to do with Hanukkah, other than to provide a contrivance for Farmer Kobi to ask Polly over for dinner. Even the endnotes fail to mention Hanukkah, providing instead a discussion of the Jewish values of "Compassion for Animals" and "Welcoming Guests." VERDICT If only the title were Farmer's Kobi's Perfect Match, it might have been a better match for young readers.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

2015-08-12
An Israeli farmer's menagerie proves to be both a hindrance and an asset when making the perfect romantic match. When Farmer Kobi invites Polly for a date on the second night of Hanukkah, Donkey and the geese, goats, and sheep help him prepare. They put out the candles, dreidel, and gelt, suggest his outfit, and are right behind him when he answers the door. Kobi leaves Polly in the living room with his "family" while he finishes up in the kitchen with his Israeli-style Hanukkah menu of baba ghanouj, falafel, latkes with applesauce and sour cream, and limonana. But snooty Polly can't bear the animals' indoor presence and finally leaves in a huff. "If I wanted to be with animals, I'd go to the zoo!" Ink-and-watercolor illustrations capture the friendly sincerity of Kobi and his animals, while dialogue infused with animal sounds adds to the drollery. " ‘She was definitely NOT Farmer Kobi's perfect maaatch,' maaed the goats….‘she was a faaake,' baaed the sheep." And when Ruthie knocks on the door a few minutes later, needing help with a flat tire, Kobi's hospitality as supported by his exuberant animal family is definitely appreciated—and perfectly matched by Ruthie's own farm animals, who wait in her truck. A short illustrated glossary and a suggested discussion guide on Jewish values of "Compassion for Animals" and "Welcoming Guests" round out this romp. Though Hanukkah takes something of a back seat, this funny, friendly tale is a worthy addition to the holiday shelves. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews