The Eighth Menorah

by Lauren L. Wohl, Laura Hughes (Illustrator)

Overview

At Sunday school Sam and his classmates are making menorahs for Hanukkah gifts, but Sam worries that his family already has enough menorahs.

Hanukkah is a few weeks away, and Sam can't wait to celebrate with his family, especially his grandma. At Sunday school, everyone in his class is busy making clay menorahs to give as Hanukkah gifts! Sam likes how his menorah is turning out, but he's worried—his family already has seven menorahs! Will they want another one? His teacher reassures him that his parents will love it, but Sam is determined to solve this problem on his own and find the perfect home for his menorah.

Sam's dilemma in this sweet and simple Hanukkah story is one that rings true for kids and their families.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807518946
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	34 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lauren L. Wohl has loved children's books all her life: first as a child reader; then as a school librarian, a publisher, a mom, a reviewer, and now as a grandmother. She is the author of Matzoh Mouse. A native New Yorker, she lives with her husband in South Beach, Florida, and in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Laura Hughes is the illustrator of Rabbit on the Run and studied illustration at Kingston University in London. She lives in East London, England.

Editorial Reviews

09/16/2013
Sam knows that his family already has plenty of menorahs, so when his Hebrew school teacher announces a menorah project for Hanukkah, Sam fears his will be useless. He works diligently on it and keeps it hidden, but still worries it won’t serve a purpose. It is only when his grandmother and her friends share their own predicament that Sam comes to realize his menorah will find a beautiful home. Brightly colored and empathic pictures by Hughes bring this charming Hanukkah story to life. Ages 4–7. Author’s agent: Steven Chudney, the Chudney Agency. Illustrator’s agent: the Bright Agency. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"This evenly paced story explores a common dilemma in Jewish families—that of multiple menorahs—and gives a little boy the opportunity to do some independent problem-solving…Sam and his Grammy are a simpatico pair, one readers of all ages will be able to relate to."—Kirkus Reviews

"Brightly colored and emphatic pictures by Hughes bring this charming Hanukkah story to life."—Publishers Weekly

"This heartwarming story features an anxious little boy that kids will easily relate to, along with a loving family."—Booklist

"The cheerful cartoon illustrations complement the easygoing story."—School Library Journal

"This book ties in well with sharing, problem-solving, and caring for others. The underlying theme and message make this book appropriate for any group of students."—Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

10/01/2013
PreS-Gr 1—When Sam's Hebrew school teacher announces that the students will make menorahs to give to their parents for Hanukkah, Sam is worried. Though his creation, shaped like a hill and decorated with twigs, pebbles, and a special silvery rock, looks fine, he knows that his family already has seven special menorahs and doesn't need another. Luckily, his Grammy provides the solution-and her building receives a new menorah for its community room. A brief mention of the holiday's origins is woven into the text, and directions on how to play dreidel are appended. The cheerful cartoon illustrations complement the easygoing story; the only quibble is that most drawings of Sam's menorah don't show the silvery rock, twigs, or pebbles mentioned in the text.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal

2013-09-01
This evenly paced story explores a common dilemma in Jewish families—that of multiple menorahs—and gives a little boy the opportunity to do some independent problem-solving. One more menorah may be just one too many for Sam's household, and at Hebrew school, Sam complains about the menorah-making activity. "My family has seven menorahs! Maybe I can make something else." Undaunted, the teacher encourages Sam to make one anyway, so Sam resolves to give it to Grammy. Grammy's weekly phone call reveals that Hanukkah will be quite different in her new building, as open flames are not permitted in the apartments—just in the community room. Even so, everybody just uses the electric menorah. After some reflection, Sam decides his newly created menorah will be the perfect Hanukkah surprise for his grandmother and her condo neighbors, and on the first night, he gives it to her so she can share it and light it in the community room with her friends. Childlike illustrations in muted soft colors depict a particularly appealing Hebrew school classroom and a modern elderly city dweller in striped socks and pink slippers. The dialogue-heavy text is delightfully natural: "Nuh uh," Sam replies during a guessing game with Grammy. Sam and his Grammy are a simpatico pair, one readers of all ages will be able to relate to. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews