Review: Hanukkah Pajamakkahs
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs
by Dara Henry, illustrated by Olga & Aleksey Ivanov
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall
Buy at Bookshop.org
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, with its adorably cute illustrations, is the story of Ruthie, who is delighted to receive Hanukkah-themed pajamas - “Pajamakkahs” – on the first night of Hanukkah. Ruthie wants to wear them for all eight nights of the holiday, but her parents want her to keep them “spotless” for the forthcoming Hanukkah party. Antics ensue as Ruthie (who has promised to keep them spotless) makes latkes – and gets streaks (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs, candle drippings (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs, strips of tape, sticky sufganiyot, sparkles, and squishes (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs. After all, if the oil in the Hanukkah story could last eight nights, certainly Ruthie’s pajamakkahs can, too. This rousing tale is hilariously illustrated with bright, bold colors depicting the adventures of Ruthie and her brand-new Hanukkah pajamakkahs.
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is a WOW! in the way it makes the Jewish experience fun, accessible, and authentic for both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. Ruthie is excited about her Hanukkah pajamakkahs (if that’s a “thing,” it’s new to this reader…but as a thing, it will definitely catch on). The various holiday traditions are depicted in entertaining, delightful, and wonderfully-messy ways! What (spotless) joy! Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is fun, authentic, and spot-on! A delight for every preschool library.
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, with its adorably cute illustrations, is the story of Ruthie, who is delighted to receive Hanukkah-themed pajamas - “Pajamakkahs” – on the first night of Hanukkah. Ruthie wants to wear them for all eight nights of the holiday, but her parents want her to keep them “spotless” for the forthcoming Hanukkah party. Antics ensue as Ruthie (who has promised to keep them spotless) makes latkes – and gets streaks (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs, candle drippings (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs, strips of tape, sticky sufganiyot, sparkles, and squishes (but not spots) on her pajamakkahs. After all, if the oil in the Hanukkah story could last eight nights, certainly Ruthie’s pajamakkahs can, too. This rousing tale is hilariously illustrated with bright, bold colors depicting the adventures of Ruthie and her brand-new Hanukkah pajamakkahs.
Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is a WOW! in the way it makes the Jewish experience fun, accessible, and authentic for both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. Ruthie is excited about her Hanukkah pajamakkahs (if that’s a “thing,” it’s new to this reader…but as a thing, it will definitely catch on). The various holiday traditions are depicted in entertaining, delightful, and wonderfully-messy ways! What (spotless) joy! Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is fun, authentic, and spot-on! A delight for every preschool library.
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