Review: The Light From My Menorah: Celebrating Holidays Around The World
The Light From My Menorah: Celebrating Holidays Around The World
by Robin Heald, illustrated by Andrea Blinick
Pajama Press, 2024
Category: Picture Books
Reviewer: Claire Freeland
Buy at Bookshop.org
As a young boy gazes at the light from his Hanukkah menorah, he embarks on a fantastical journey following its light around the world. Robin Heald’s beautiful, lyrical language describes fall/winter celebrations among different peoples, each centered on light. It’s a story of what connects us despite our differences. It encourages curiosity about different beliefs, different languages, and different customs. Along with the child in the story, the reader is shown the miracle and the universality of light.
As a young boy gazes at the light from his Hanukkah menorah, he embarks on a fantastical journey following its light around the world. Robin Heald’s beautiful, lyrical language describes fall/winter celebrations among different peoples, each centered on light. It’s a story of what connects us despite our differences. It encourages curiosity about different beliefs, different languages, and different customs. Along with the child in the story, the reader is shown the miracle and the universality of light.
The book opens and closes with the child joyfully celebrating Hanukkah
with his family. There are no signs that the family is Orthodox, but the
Hanukkah scenes are authentic with dreidels and sufganiyot. This book
would certainly be shelved with Hanukkah books, but there are images
from other religions and cultures, as of course the point of the story
is to show Hanukkah in a wider context. As such, this book is for
everyone.
An author’s note explains the ancient Hanukkah miracle of the oil. It also gives details about several non-Jewish fall/winter celebration customs and how light is incorporated.
Andrea Blinick’s warm colors light up the dark with shimmery, at times whimsical, images. Bright-eyed people convey a love of family and the delight of celebration.
This story and the art are uplifting. If only more people world-wide could be as accepting of one another as they are in this unique tale.
An author’s note explains the ancient Hanukkah miracle of the oil. It also gives details about several non-Jewish fall/winter celebration customs and how light is incorporated.
Andrea Blinick’s warm colors light up the dark with shimmery, at times whimsical, images. Bright-eyed people convey a love of family and the delight of celebration.
This story and the art are uplifting. If only more people world-wide could be as accepting of one another as they are in this unique tale.
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