Review: Lost and Found Hanukkah

Lost and Found Hanukkah by Joy Preble, illustrated by Lisa Anchin Chronicle Books, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shanna Silva Buy at Bookshop.org Lost and Found Hanukkah explores themes of loss, change, and self-determination. Nate is missing his old neighborhood and friends, especially when he discovers that his special menorah has been lost in the move. His Daddy and Abba bring him to a Judaica store to choose a new menorah, and Nate makes friends with Amy, the shopkeeper, and her cat, Kugel. None of the store menorahs catch his eye, and when Kugel escapes, Nate’s focus becomes finding the lost kitty. When he does find and lure her with a fresh latke, Nate discovers a piece of wood to fashion his own menorah. Hanukkah is celebrated and a special guest makes their new apartment feel like home. Lost and Found Hanukkah has literary merit and positive, authentic Jewish content. Anchin’s rich illustrations contain wonderful detail, and a cornucopia of Judaic imagery is ...