Little Dreidel Learns to Spin

by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, Taryn Johnson (illustrator)

Little ones will love this energetic and fun rhyming story about an adorable little dreidel who learns to spin!

Little Dreidel, made of clay, at last is dry and ready!

She wants to whirl and swirly-spin, but she’s a bit…unsteady!

Little Driedel is ready to spin and celebrate Hanukkah with all her older cousins. But as soon as she gets ready to whirl and swirly-spin, Little Dreidel realizes that spinning is much harder than it looks! Full of action, bouncing energy, and loads of festive fun, this is the perfect Hanukkah read-aloud that will get little ones and parents excited for the holiday!

Genres: Holiday, Picture Books, Jewish

24 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2024

Reviews

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adorable illustrations, lovely, lyrical language, and wonderful rhythm and rhyme make this book a winner! Little Dreidel is a bit unsteady, unlike her cousins. A story of persistence and believing in yourself, this book also features some Yiddish words and a dictionary at the back. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries.

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun little tale of a cute little dreidel. The rhyme, holiday fun, and growth mindset theme will leave readers spinning with joy!

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight Little Dreidel is! Author Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrator Taryn Johnson have created a winning, eventually spinning, character who readers are going to love. The rhythm, rhyme, and language perfectly capture Little Dreidel’s energy-packed and emotional journey as she struggles to “whirl and swirly-spin.” Kids will appreciate the difficulties of trying to do something new, and they’ll see in Little Dreidel someone who puts in the effort and carefully studies the experts – a great life lesson, woven seamlessly into the story. A wonderfully told story to share at Hanukkah -- and the rest of the year.

[Ann Koffsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So charming! Our main character, Little Dreidel, is struggling to learn to spin...until, of course, she finally does!
Along the way, she has to try and try again, while getting encouragement from her dreidel family,, including her Bubbie. The rhyme is perfect, and I love how Levington masterfully incorporates classic Yiddish words into it, too. Bubbie kvells at Little Dreidel's spinnign and delightedly calles her a shainah maidel.

A really sweet addition to any Hanukkah celebration that will make every reader smile.

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Dreidel Leans to Spin stars an adorable main character and is filled with a ton of perseverance and charm. I love how the book starts off with Little Dreidel being at last dry and ready (super cute illustration alert! - Little Dreidel is drying herself with a hair dryer). All Little Dreidel wants is to be able to spin, but she just can’t seem to get it right. If she can’t spin, she won’t be able to join in on the Hanukkah Party fun. Little Dreidel’s journey is filled with many positive messages for readers (don’t give up, patience, practice is the key to improvement, etc). Levington, as always, utilizes super fun word choices (mumble-grumbles, swivel-swerve, dizzy-dazed, etc.) and the illustrations by Johnson couldn’t be cuter. Bonus - a Yiddish glossary of words at the end. I highly recommend this adorable book! It is so much fun to read aloud and would make a great addition to home, school and library bookshelves!

[Jan Schwaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet and well-written book that packs a punch of comedy, heart, and Yiddish! So many clever little nods that parents and kids will adore - like a dreidel drying itself with a hairdryer - and a wonderful lesson about success taking time that will resonate with everyone. The rhyme is such fun to read out loud, and I love that it comes with a fabulous glossary of Yiddish terms for the unfamiliar - this will really help the book span generations and is something I would have loved to read with my Yiddish-speaking grandmother. It keeps the language alive in such a fun, exciting way. Wonderful, eye-catching illustrations add to the fun of an anthropomorphized family of adorable dreidels. Perfect for Hanukkah, but sure to be requested throughout the year by your littles.

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN is a delightful story about determination and the importance of practice in improving your skills. The rhyming text is lively and has perfect rhythm, making it a joy to read. The little dreidel character is endearing, and kids can relate to its desire to keep up with older cousins. There is a sweet relationship between the dreidel and its Bubbe, and the ending feels so triumphant! Readers will learn Yiddish words along the way, and about Hanukkah traditions. The illustrations are bright and engaging. This feels like a new classic –a timeless message and begs to be re-read!

[Naomi Gruer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Gardyn Levington's lyrical, rhyming prose combine with sweet, colorful illustrations by Taryn Johnson to explore Little Dreidel's emotions as she learns to spin in time for a Chanukah party. This adorable story includes a grandmother's support, Chanukah images, and many Yiddish words. A glossary at the end defines those words and includes pronunciations. Little Dreidel, like my preschool students, finds out spinning is harder than it looks. Every Chanukah, we break out dreidels and give them a whirl, and like Little Dreidel they try, get frustrated, and want to give up. Guess what I'm ordering to encourage them to keep on trying? Love this book!

[Kathleen Wilford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanukkah is coming up, and little dreidel wants to spin! But it’s so hard. All her cousins can spin with ease, but she’s always plotzing on the ground (see, I learned some Yiddish!). With practice, determination, and encouragement from her kind Bubbie, little dreidel does learn, of course. Let the Hanukkah parties begin!
This charming book, written in lively rhyme, will be relatable to all kids (and I mean ALL kids) who have struggled to master a new skill and were tempted to give up. The Yiddish terms, with glossary at the end, are a real bonus.

[Josh Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful spin on Hanukkah! Little Dreidel wants to spin like her big cousins, but she teeter-totters and falls flat. Bubbie suggests she practice, but where’s the fun in that? Ultimately, Dreidel’s festival FOMO pushes her to practice again and again. I loved the play on words when Dreidel “breaks her Shin,” referring to one of the Hebrew letters on her side. A sprinkle of Yiddish rounds out the story, with a glossary in the backmatter. Little Dreidel Learns to Spin shares a great lesson for kids about determination (with a drop of science too), swirling with Hanukkah fun!

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an uplifting story about a little dreidel discovering that it takes practice and persistence to learn to spin! Told in bouncy rhyme with bright, action-packed illustrations, this book will quickly become a Hanukkah favorite. Little Dreidel is relatable and endearing, and I especially love the warm and encouraging Bubbie, who reminds Little Dreidel: “When skills are new they’re hard to do,” says Bubbie. “It’s upsetting./ But practice and I promise that you’ll soon be pirouetting!” It's a delightful book!

[Shannon Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Dreidel Learns to Spin is a great way to teach kids the power of yet. Little Dreidel isn't so sure practice will help when doubt and comparison creep in. But, when she adopts a growth mindset and takes action, she learns to whirl and twirl with joy.
The adorable illustrations add to the fun on each page. Readers will also learn a little about the Hanukkah holiday tradition of dreidels and some Yiddish too!

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amaaaaazing. It's so funny and adorable, right from the very first page! The little dreidel is "dry and ready" and the illustration shows her looking in the mirror with a little blow dryer. Hilarious! And the incorporation of fun yiddish vocab is brilliant. And I love the wordplay, such as when Little Dreidel nearly breaks her "shin". This is sure to be a favorite book for both parent/grandparent and child. I give it five latkes!

[Jodi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new spin on a Hanukkah story that not only invites readers to enjoy Bubbie’s holiday party, but also inspires them to try-try again whenever learning something new – thanks to one determined Little Dreidel. Author Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s playful rollicking rhyme (sprinkled with Yiddish – don’t worry, there’s a glossary in the back!) coupled with illustrator Taryn Johnson’s charming artwork offer a picture book that begs to be read again and again and is sure to become a holiday tradition.

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page where Little Dreidel is drying herself with a hairdryer, I was sold! Persistence, patience, and persevering were all part of Little Dreidels story, and her story is so cute! Johnson's art is adorable—that little face and those little arms! Levington layers the story with Yiddish words and elements of Hanukkah, enjoyable for those who are new to the holiday, and those who are not. Spin Little Dreidel, spin!

[Joyce Schriebman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! If a dreidel could say, "If at first you don't succeed, try try again" that would be the mantra of Little Dreidel. This book is sure to be a favorite of little ones who are learning that it takes practice and perseverance to learn a new skill. Rebecca Levington has done it again with her peppy, upbeat rhymes. And Taryn Johnson's dreidels-personified drawings add to the whimsy and fun. Don't miss this book this year. A perfect Hanukkah gift!

[Abby A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Dreidel Learns to Spin by Rebecca Gardyn Levington

I LOVE this Hanukkah picture book! Little Dreidel is learning a new skill. Like all kids, learning a new skill, takes time and a lot of practice. Humor and Yiddish sprinkled into the story made me laugh out loud. The rhyme and rhythm had me tapping my foot and bobbing my head. I read the book a second time so I could enjoy the wonderful illustrations. This book is sure to become a favorite with children and their parents.

[Doreen Klein Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dreidel (spinning top) comes to life in this Hanukkah story about Little Dreidel who wants to learn to spin like her cousins. Readers will be rooting for her as she tries and fails, until she finally masters the task. The real life lesson here is: Don't give up! Written in rhyme by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, this story is both heartfelt and funny, infused with Yiddish words, and features adorable illustrations by Taryn Johnson.

[Harshita Jerath · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Little Dreidel Learns to Spin" is a rhythmic read-aloud that young readers will want to read again and again.
The story featuring a little dreidel struggling to spin is perfect for anyone still mastering their skills. The lively art and the smooth read-aloud make it a great choice for storytimes. I also enjoyed the Yiddish words in the story and found the glossary towards the end super helpful.

[Lill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Little Dreidel is an adorable character. The story opens with her using a blow dryer to get ready for the Hanukkah party. This clever rhyming story is full of fun phrases (twirly-spin, dizzy-dazed) and Yiddish words (gelt, kvelling). And yes, a Yiddish glossary is included!

Little Dreidel encourages kids to try and try again because she never gives up on learning to spin as well as her older cousins.

Just like its main character, this book is a winner!

[Elenore Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a such a fun and playful Hanukkah story that is bound to have kids wanting to spin their own dreidel’s. I particularly loved the ‘Don’t give up’ messages woven throughout as Dreidel finds spinning difficult at first but in time learns that practice and perseverance pays off. Scattered with Yiddish words (with glossary with definitions and pronunciations at the back) kids will be learning new words too!

[Buffy Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Chanukah tale with a healthy dose of rhyme, humor, perseverance and Yiddish! Learning to spin is frustrating and boring--but with her Bubbe's encouragement, Little Dreidel does not give up until she's whipping and whirling like her older cousins. The adorable illustrations show Little Dreidel sporting a frown and a shin (which she almost breaks in her failed attempts.) Little ones will cheer when Little Dreidel's tsuris turns to joy at the Chanukah party.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Little Dreidel Learns to Spin. It is a sweet story about a little dreidel who wants to learn how to learn how to spin like her cousins and is getting frustrated. But with her Bubbe's encouragement, Little Dreidel finds herself spinning just like her big cousins. The rhyming text and lively illustrations make it a joy to read, with Yiddish expressions. A fun read-aloud to add to Hanukah lists.

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join a family of dreidels as they celebrate Hanukkah in this joyful and fun rhythming board book. Little Dreidel, the youngest, is learning to spin. It’s not easy, but with Bubbie’s encouragement, Little Dreidel perseveres! Adorable drawings help illustrate Yiddish words like “klutz,” “kvetches” and “plotzes,” which are sprinkled throughout. There’s a glossary at the end. Perfect for brightening winter days for preschoolers and up.

[Pooja Nukala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story! LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN has a classic, golden theme of perseverance but it's told in a beautiful, festive setting with yiddish sprinkled throughout. The rhyming text is fun to read and the illustrations bring the dreidels to life. Kids and their grownups will enjoy reading this fun book!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun Hanukkah story about little dreidel who wants to spin like her cousins in time for the holiday, but hasn't learned how. She's disappointed she's unable to quickly learn, and relatable themes of practice and the importance of perseverance are shown through bouncy rhyme and adorable illustrations.

[Donna Cangelosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Dreidel wants to whirly, swirly spin! Her cousins make it seem so easy, but each time she tries, she fumbles. With encouragement from her Bubbe, Dreidel perseveres and learns that skills take a great deal of patience. Written in rolicking rhyme, this charming, story is ideal for all children who struggle to master a new skill. It even includes a fantastic glossary of Yiddish terms.

[Hannah Lorenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fun, rhyming rhythm of this story along with the bright, engaging illustrations will have kids asking to read this story again and again. I especially enjoyed the clever puns, the Yiddish words/sayings (along with a glossary in the back!), and the overall theme of not giving up! Great for kids and the young at heart around Hanukkah time, or any time of year!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN is a fun, rollicking story about a new dreidel who struggles to learn how to spin like her older cousins. The adorable illustrations compliment the rhyming text that children will want to read over and over again. Fun Yiddish words are sprinkled throughout, and a glossary is provided at the end. Highly recommend!

[mdc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charmingly illustrated book in rhyme is about a young dreidel who can't quite get the hang of spinning yet, and she feels left out of her family's Hanukkah festivities. Her repeated attempts to spin should resonate with young readers who are also having trouble learning a new skill, and they'll cheer her on as she keeps trying. A good choice for holiday gift-giving.