THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512180184
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Book Review
SOURCE: BY PEGGY DEANS EARLE
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
So you think it's hard to come up with just one Christmas gift per person each year? Consider the challenge posed by Hanukkah: Traditionally, a child receives a gift on each of the eight days of the holiday. It's a daunting task - second only to having to decide whether the festival of lights is spelled ``Hanukkah'' or ``Chanukah.''
Whichever way it's spelled, if you've decided a book would do for one of the eight presents, why not give one about the holiday itself? There is a wide variety of children's books to choose from - and even a few for grownups. Here are some standout candidates:
In the Month of Kislev: A story of Hanukkah, by Nina Jaffe, illustrated by Louise August (Puffin Books, $4.99, paper), is a colorful fable about Mendel, the poor Polish peddler, and Feivel, the rich lumber merchant, and their families. Each Hanukkah, they come together to celebrate in a very special way.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, by Eric Kimmel with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman (Holiday House, $6.95, paper), is a Caldecott Honor Book, beautifully painted in watercolors. The funny/scary fantasy takes place in a Russian shtetl where Hanukkah has been ruined by spooky goblins who haunt the synagogue . . . until Hershel comes to the rescue.
Richly colored paintings by Irene Lieblich complement Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer's gentle tales in The Power of Light: Eight stories for Hanukkah (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, $7.95, paper).
Beautiful watercolors grace The Tie Man's Miracle: A Chanukah Tale, by Steven Schnur, illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson (Morrow Junior Books, $16.), the touching story of a lonely peddler whose sudden, unwelcome appearance at a family's holiday celebration brings unexpected blessings.
Just Enough is Plenty: A Hanukkah Tale, by Barbara Diamond Goldin, with bold paintings by renown illustrator Seymour Chwast (Puffin Books, $4.99, paper), tells of a poor Polish family that is nevertheless rich in both the tradition and spirit of the season.
Inside-Out Grandma: A Hanukkah Story, by Joan Rothenberg (Hyperion, $14.95), portrays an eccentric grandmother, her holiday preparations and her quirky way of remembering them.
For the grownups, Eight Tales for Eight Nights: Stories for Chanukah, by Pennah Schram and Steven M. Rosman (Jason Aronson Inc., $24.95, paper), explains the history of the holiday and, as promised, a fable of varied origin for each of the eight nights. There are songs complete with music and advice on how to collect stories from your own family.
The Guide to Traditional Jewish Holiday Cooking and Customs, by Elayne Greenberg (Write Image Press, $12.95, paper with spiral binding), includes Jewish traditions and recipes from all over the world, for Hanukkah and other holidays.
And finally, The Jewish Holiday: a Guide and Commentary, by Michael Strassfeld (Harper & Row, $21, paper), is a comprehensive collection of readings and comments on holiday traditions geared to both observant Jews or novices.
Happy Hanukkah! And good luck with the other seven gifts. MEMO: Peggy Deans Earle is a staff librarian. by CNB