Review: Oy, Santa! or There's a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah
Oy, Santa! or There's a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah by Joyce Schriebman, illustrated by Gila von Meissner Intergalactic Afikoman, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Lila Spitz Buy at Bookshop.org A young Jewish boy named Oliver corresponds with Santa Claus via email regarding Christmas, correcting unintentional misunderstandings about Hanukkah. Mistakes include Hanukkah nomenclature, holiday foods and their appropriate toppings, and notable differences between the Gregorian calendar and the Hebrew Calendar. As Santa’s confusion with Hanukkah traditions escalates, Oliver’s emails become snarky, demonstrated by the increased size and bolded font of the text. Illustrator Gila von Meissner enhances the juxtaposition of Christian and Jewish holidays by contrasting Santa’s cute felines with Oliver’s playful canine. The artwork portrays Oliver as the African American son of a heteronormative mixed-race couple, with a helpful younger sister. Jewishness is an integral part of ...