The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Purr-im Time! by Jenna Waldman, illustrated by Erica J. Chen Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Arlene Schenker Buy at Bookshop.org This imaginative rhyming story of a Purim day in the life of three kittens has all the joyful elements of the holiday. From the moment the kitties wake up until they fall into bed, weary from a full day of baking hamantaschen, marching in the Purim parade, and going to the Purim carnival, they are celebrating the holiday. The megillah reading tells the story of Purim in a child-friendly way, so all can revel in the defeat of Haman and take pride in Esther’s heroism. And the dynamic movement of Erica Chen’s beautifully illustrated kitties shows them practically jumping off the page with their delight at the holiday. As a bonus, the back matter includes a mishloach manot craft idea with instructions. There is also a note to families stressing the kindness and charity that are important elements of the ...

 Larry's Latkes by Jenna Waldman, illustrated by Ben Whitehouse Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishing) Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shirley Reva Vernick Buy at Bookshop.org Every Hanukkah, Big Larry the alligator brings out his latke truck and sells the best potato latkes in town using an old family recipe. This year, Big Larry is throwing a latke party for his animal friends, and he wants to try something new. He goes to the farmers market and buys all sorts of fruits and vegetables—but no potatoes. The results are a soggy, goopy mess. Big Larry doesn’t know what to do…until he gets a something-old, something-new brainstorm. He and his friends buy up all the spuds at the farmers market and make potato latkes mixed with fruits and veggies. The new creations are a hit, and the party is a big success.   The book includes a short note about the history of Hanukkah and the symbolism of fried latkes. It concludes with a recipe for Big Larry’s ...