The Mexican Dreidel

by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Maria Mola (Illustrator), Ilan Stavans

Danielito loves Janucá, especially playing dreidel. This year, he is old enough to visit Bobe by himself. Piñatas hang from the trees, and the kids in Bobe’s neighborhood play with Mexican tops called trompos. Danielito does not have a trompo, but he has a dreidel. “What is that?” “¿Qué es eso?” the other kids ask, as they invite him to join their game. The trompos follow the dreidel as it spins through the neighborhood. And Danielito invited his new friends, nuevos amigos, to Bobe’s house to celebrate Janucá.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Fiction, Childrens, Jewish, Latinx, Friendship

24 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

I have always loved words. My parents said I spoke in full sentences before I was a year old. They also said I didn't walk until I was two.

I was still a baby when I saw a TV commercial about a vacuum cleaner and its expandable bag. That night, my parents begged me to eat "just one more bite." I refused. Using a phrase I'd learned from the vacuum cleaner commercial, I explained, "My stomach is fully expanded." My parents laughed...and I was saved from having to eat that dreadful "one more bite."

My love of words extended to foreign languages. I was one of those kids who loved school. I loved Hebrew school, too. Learning Hebrew taught me that words can be composed of roots and that those roots can change, often in predictable ways. I noticed some of the rules I'd learned in Hebrew applied to English, too. I also love word games, puzzles, and etymology, learning about the origins of words.

Some of my other favorite things include being outside, exploring, and being around animals. When I was a child, I wanted a horse. I didn't get one. But when I grew up, my husband and I moved to a farm. That's where we raised our four children...and sheep, chickens, and rabbits. It's also where some of my stories are based.

I also love teaching and have taught all ages, from babies through college. I've taught parents, too.

When I write stories, I combine so many of the things I love. I'm always learning and exploring...and having a fabulous time!

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mexican Dreidel is a very cute little story about a Mexican boy celebrating Januca in a community he hasn't had the chance to make friends in. We see Sephardic and Mexican specific traditions, and community building for the holidays. It's a cute and fun little story. Recommended!

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical look at a Mexican Jewish boy's celebrations of Januca. Readers will enjoy Danielito's adventures in his neighborhood and the ways his Mexican and Jewish traditions combine to celebrate the holiday. The Author's Note adds a lot of context for readers who might not be familiar with Hanukkah as well as what Mexican Jewish traditions might look like. Spanish words are translated intext, while "hispanophone translations of Yiddish words" (thank you Kirkus for giving me a phrase for this) in the text are explained in the author's note.

[Vered · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

As an American it was really interesting seeing Channuka celebrated in a different place. Aside from the really nice art the story was super cute and showed how differently Channuka can be celebrated. The section in the very back of the book was also really really awesome, being able to have further context about the history of Jews in Mexico was fantastic and I'm really glad to see this book at my library. Genuinely considering sending this to my Bubbe as a Channuka gift.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway dreidel and the tops a la gingerbread man as the magical dreidel leads the trompos and the new friends throughout the village to Danielito’s grandmother’s house. The kids are invited in to celebrate the lighting of the candles and eat traditional Hanukkah treats. Missed opportunity: the Read along version needs Spanish accent reader
Author note (not read aloud) explains the origin of Jewish holiday and then history of Jews in Mexico
Fun pics

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

I did not really know what to expect going into this book but I ended up really liking it. The chasing of the dreidel/tops lasted a bit long but it was so interesting to read about Januca (Hanukkah) in Mexico. I think all readers will be able to relate to Danielito as he tries to make friends in a new place.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet Januca (Hanukkah) story celebrates dreidels and friendship in any language. There is great Author's Note at the end.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fanciful story of a runaway dreidel, battling tops, and friends that try Janucá foods.
The art is somewhat sparse.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically a retelling of the runaway (insert object)

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7 year old couldn’t believe the dreidel just kept on going 🤣.
Cute story and great authors notes at the back, which helped us understand the book better.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, lovely illustrations!

[rachel]

this is adorable

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic Hanukkah story about a young boy who visits his grandmother during Janucá. There are very few picture books that show the diversity among Jews, so I appreciate seeing how Hanukkah is celebrated in Mexico. The story is about Hanukkah and Mexican customs, but it is also about a youngster making friends. The colorful illustrations by Maria Mola are delightful. The book has an afterward that includes the history of Hanukkah and also information about the Jewish comunnities in Mexico. Because of this afterward, the book is excellent for Jews and gentiles alike. I would recommend it for a family or school library.

This fantastic picture book is also available as an audiobook that would make a nice read along addition to the picture book.