All of a Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins and Paul O. Zelinsky

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah is a fun way to introduce this Jewish holiday to young children.

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Schwartz and Wade, 2018, 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 5-10

It’s the first day of Hanukkah and Gertie, the youngest of five girls, desperately wants to help with preparations. Can she cut up carrots, shred the potatoes for latkes, heat schmaltz on the stove to fry them? No to all those. Every one of her sisters can help Mama in the kitchen, but there’s nothing for Gertie to do. Frustrated beyond measure, she throws a tantrum and gets sent to her room. What a miserable Hanukkah this will be! But when Papa comes home he has an idea that will redeem the holiday for little Gertie, and draw the whole family together again.

It’s a simple story of family dynamics, based on the beloved All-of-a-Family stories by Sidney Taylor (for whom the annual book award is named). Emily Jenkins faithfully adapts the style and tone and illustrator Zelinsky creates a teeming Lower East Side, 1912, with lively lines and colors. In the Illustrator Note, he explains creating the pictures in a “rough style” to reflect Gertie’s mood. A brief glossary and reflections by the author round out this charming picture book, an engaging introduction to one of the most joyous Jewish holidays.

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4
• Artistic/literary value: 4

Read more about our ratings here.

More at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: A picture book can’t substitute for the original series! Read Megan’s thoughts here.
• Reviews: Paul Zelinsky also illustrated the Angelica Longrider series, which are lots of fun.
• Reflection: Megan uses Zelinsky’s Rapunzel as a primer for how to read a picture book.

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