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Winter Candle
When each family at the diverse Juniper Court apartment complex needs something to light up the dark of winter, the stumpy, lumpy candle provides a glow brighter than the fanciest taper, revealing the true spirit of each holiday it illuminates.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 22, 2017
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Multiple residents at the Juniper Court Apartment complex are celebrating their family traditions during the holidays. As each family begins their celebration, they realize they are missing an important component- a candle. As the candle is passed from family to family, children will learn about Havdalah, Saint Lucia Day, and Kwanzaa.
We enjoyed the vivid and detailed illustrations. The authors note at the end explains these traditions and what each holiday means as well as why they are celebrated. It’s an interesting and educational book for elementary readers. 4****
Age Range: 4 – 11 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 6
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Creston Books (November 11, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939547105
ISBN-13: 978-1939547101
Multiple residents at the Juniper Court Apartment complex are celebrating their family traditions during the holidays. As each family begins their celebration, they realize they are missing an important component- a candle. As the candle is passed from family to family, children will learn about Havdalah, Saint Lucia Day, and Kwanzaa.
We enjoyed the vivid and detailed illustrations. The authors note at the end explains these traditions and what each holiday means as well as why they are celebrated. It’s an interesting and educational book for elementary readers. 4****
Age Range: 4 – 11 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 6
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Creston Books (November 11, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939547105
ISBN-13: 978-1939547101
December 21, 2016
A cute story that took my students a little bit to understand what was going on.
December 2, 2014
The residents of the apartment building at Juniper Court celebrate a variety of holidays in the winter months. It begins with Nana Clover at Thanksgiving who somehow forgot to get candles for her Thanksgiving table. The building super finds her a lumpy candle and she uses it for her centerpiece. Two weeks later, the Danziger family needs a havdalah candle for Sabbath. Nana Clover gives them the lumpy candle she used. A few days later, Kirsten needs one more candle for her Saint Lucia crown. In winter, Donte’s little brother has chewed up one of the Kwanza candles. Later in the winter, a new family has moved into the apartment building. While they are waiting for their father to come back, the power goes out. Guess which little candle helps light their night along with that of all the residents!
Filled with a strong sense of community and diversity, this picture book is about more than a litany of different traditions. Using the small lumpy candle as a symbol, the book speaks to the power of shared moments as a family, the importance of a larger and supportive community, and the beauty of differences. In each case, the candle is not what the family is looking for. It’s the wrong color, the wrong shape, and the wrong size. But it also works in all of its lack of perfection. The writing in the book is weaves the various stories together, moving the candle from family to family and creating strong bonds.
The illustrations have a traditional feel. They capture the power and beauty of the candle light as it shines in each family’s apartment. In the final story, that light leads the father back home and thanks to the illustrations we believe that its power is more than one candle, more than the darkness, and as strong as the community around it.
Ideal for celebrating winter holidays in a way that is not Christmas centered, this picture book is a welcome addition to library shelves. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Filled with a strong sense of community and diversity, this picture book is about more than a litany of different traditions. Using the small lumpy candle as a symbol, the book speaks to the power of shared moments as a family, the importance of a larger and supportive community, and the beauty of differences. In each case, the candle is not what the family is looking for. It’s the wrong color, the wrong shape, and the wrong size. But it also works in all of its lack of perfection. The writing in the book is weaves the various stories together, moving the candle from family to family and creating strong bonds.
The illustrations have a traditional feel. They capture the power and beauty of the candle light as it shines in each family’s apartment. In the final story, that light leads the father back home and thanks to the illustrations we believe that its power is more than one candle, more than the darkness, and as strong as the community around it.
Ideal for celebrating winter holidays in a way that is not Christmas centered, this picture book is a welcome addition to library shelves. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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December 3, 2014WINTER CANDLE is a gorgeously illustrated book. Stacey Schuett has done her drawings in deep rich colors that evoke the warmth of the story.
Ashford's story is appealing and the type of tale I liked to read to my children when they were younger. (They can read it themselves now :)
It's the story of a one-building neighborhood, where neighbors share and where all sorts of fall and winter celebrations take place. What ties all the neighbors together is their need for a light. Specifically, they need a candle, and it's a single candle that gets shared for a Thanksgiving meal, the Sabbath, St. Lucia's day and other celebrations.
I like books like this because they open up an opportunity to discuss how families are different and yet the same.
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sample pages http://booksforkids-reviews.blogspot....
Ashford's story is appealing and the type of tale I liked to read to my children when they were younger. (They can read it themselves now :)
It's the story of a one-building neighborhood, where neighbors share and where all sorts of fall and winter celebrations take place. What ties all the neighbors together is their need for a light. Specifically, they need a candle, and it's a single candle that gets shared for a Thanksgiving meal, the Sabbath, St. Lucia's day and other celebrations.
I like books like this because they open up an opportunity to discuss how families are different and yet the same.
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sample pages http://booksforkids-reviews.blogspot....
April 15, 2018
Text-to-Teaching Connection
When the electricity goes out in an apartment building, the residents take turns sharing an old candle to help them during their cultural celebrations. After reading the story to my students we would review the events of the story while creating a chart of nouns, verbs,adjectives, and adverbs that were used in the book. As a writing assignment the students will be set up into groups and will create a story from the candle's perspective. The candle will be the main character. Each group will be assigned a part of speech (ex: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) to incorporate throughout their story. The goal is to use as many of their assigned parts of as possible to enhance their story. When all groups have completed their stories we will share the finished product and discuss the nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs that are used correctly.
When the electricity goes out in an apartment building, the residents take turns sharing an old candle to help them during their cultural celebrations. After reading the story to my students we would review the events of the story while creating a chart of nouns, verbs,adjectives, and adverbs that were used in the book. As a writing assignment the students will be set up into groups and will create a story from the candle's perspective. The candle will be the main character. Each group will be assigned a part of speech (ex: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) to incorporate throughout their story. The goal is to use as many of their assigned parts of as possible to enhance their story. When all groups have completed their stories we will share the finished product and discuss the nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs that are used correctly.
December 3, 2019
Winter Candle is a children's picture book written by Jeron Ashford-Frame and illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Light symbolizes hope, and festivals incorporating light and candles are found in many cultures, especially during winter.
Ashford-Frame's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative uses a single candle to weave a story of intergenerational and multicultural friendship. An author notes which briefly describes each holiday could be found in the backmatter. Schuett's richly textured paintings highlight the glow of the small candle along with the family portraits.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. A candle is passed within an apartment complex from Thanksgiving, Jewish Sabbath’s end, Saint Lucy’s Day, Kwanzaa, and finally, the candle is used to light the way home.
All in all, Winter Candle is a wonderful story that celebrates that there are more similarities between cultures than differences – especially in our winter holidays.
Ashford-Frame's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative uses a single candle to weave a story of intergenerational and multicultural friendship. An author notes which briefly describes each holiday could be found in the backmatter. Schuett's richly textured paintings highlight the glow of the small candle along with the family portraits.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. A candle is passed within an apartment complex from Thanksgiving, Jewish Sabbath’s end, Saint Lucy’s Day, Kwanzaa, and finally, the candle is used to light the way home.
All in all, Winter Candle is a wonderful story that celebrates that there are more similarities between cultures than differences – especially in our winter holidays.
August 25, 2020
A single candle is passed around to the many families living in an apartment building. Each family that borrows it uses it for a special winter celebration that focuses on family and being together. In the end, the brightly shining candle is used to help a father navigate to his family who has recently moved in to the building.
A great focus on community and sharing. Could be used for a winter-themed read aloud to older children (grades 2-4).
A great focus on community and sharing. Could be used for a winter-themed read aloud to older children (grades 2-4).
December 9, 2017
This is a very heart-warming story about how a single candle ends up making its way around the apartments in a building, being used as part of many different winter time celebrations. It was well-written and respectful of the different cultures that were represented. Really loved this one - might make this an annual Christmas read!
December 31, 2020
Wonderful story of a community of families in an apartment sharing a "candle" for their various needs. The story nicely ties together how candles are used for a variety of cultural and faith traditions and is a great way to lead students into a wider conversation about what makes us the same while we are also different.
March 16, 2018
This is such a creative way to show all of the diverse lives living in one apartment complex by following the story of a candle. I will use this book when discussing our many different cultures we have and relate some of the traditions my students may see in themselves or people they know.
January 2, 2026
This is such a heartwarming story, helping us to realize how lucky we are to be surrounded by diversity and sharing our various cultures with our neighbors, and forming a community in times of need!
I actually cried at the end. It was really tender.
“A multicultural assortment of neighbors passes a squat, lumpy candle from apartment to apartment allowing for a host of winter holidays, celebrations, and family reunions to go on. A story about a caring apartment complex that glows brightly with the warmth of community and sharing."
Some of the celebrations highlighted to learn more about:
✨Havdalah is a Jewish ceremony to say goodbye to the Sabbath.Families light a special braided candle that has more than one wick so it burns extra-brightly. Havdalah begins when there are three stars in the sky. It ends when the lit candle is dipped in wine and goes out with a sizzle. During Hanukkah, Havdalah is observed before lighting the menorah.
✨Saint Lucia Day, December 13, is celebrated by Scandinavians in Europe and America. It honors Saint Lucia, who delivered food to the poor wearing a crown of candles on her head to light the way. Today families choose a daughter to be Saint Lucia and carry a delicious breakfast to share with friends.
✨Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration at the end of December that honors African culture. African-American families gather to light candles in a kinara, a special candle holder. The candles represent unity, determination, responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Visit your library for more information on these and other special holidays.
I actually cried at the end. It was really tender.
“A multicultural assortment of neighbors passes a squat, lumpy candle from apartment to apartment allowing for a host of winter holidays, celebrations, and family reunions to go on. A story about a caring apartment complex that glows brightly with the warmth of community and sharing."
Some of the celebrations highlighted to learn more about:
✨Havdalah is a Jewish ceremony to say goodbye to the Sabbath.Families light a special braided candle that has more than one wick so it burns extra-brightly. Havdalah begins when there are three stars in the sky. It ends when the lit candle is dipped in wine and goes out with a sizzle. During Hanukkah, Havdalah is observed before lighting the menorah.
✨Saint Lucia Day, December 13, is celebrated by Scandinavians in Europe and America. It honors Saint Lucia, who delivered food to the poor wearing a crown of candles on her head to light the way. Today families choose a daughter to be Saint Lucia and carry a delicious breakfast to share with friends.
✨Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration at the end of December that honors African culture. African-American families gather to light candles in a kinara, a special candle holder. The candles represent unity, determination, responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Visit your library for more information on these and other special holidays.
November 10, 2024
What a charming little illustrated book! It tells the story of a candle being passed on from family-to-family throughout an apartment building. Although the candle seems well past its prime, it continues to shine with purpose and brightness. Despite its poor condition, we follow this candle’s journey and witness how different cultures use light in ceremonies and celebrations, as well as how candles represent and foster unity.
This would be a meaningful holiday gift for children since the story begins at thanksgiving and moves through winter celebrations. At the end, there are descriptions of each of the story’s celebrations.
This would be a meaningful holiday gift for children since the story begins at thanksgiving and moves through winter celebrations. At the end, there are descriptions of each of the story’s celebrations.
January 14, 2024
A great winter story. This focuses on this sad little ugly looking little candle. Over the course of a month of two, families in this apartment building need to borrow a candle. They ask a neighbor to borrow on. When they see it, they are disappointed by it, but it works out well. Then it's passed on.
It's used for Thanksgiving, Havdalah, St Lucia's, Kwanzaa and a new home owner. Everyone sees the candle may be unsightly, but it burns brighter and more true than the other candles.
It's just a warm and cozy little story. Some neighbors come together. It's nice.
It's used for Thanksgiving, Havdalah, St Lucia's, Kwanzaa and a new home owner. Everyone sees the candle may be unsightly, but it burns brighter and more true than the other candles.
It's just a warm and cozy little story. Some neighbors come together. It's nice.
December 31, 2024
As I looked through our collection, I discovered many read-aloud books that targeted specific winter holidays, but none that encompassed several. This book helped fill that gap, though it strangely skips Hanukkah and Christmas in favor of a weekly Shabbat dinner and a St. Lucia celebration 🤷♀️. It's also just a bit too long for a group of kindergarteners, so we ended the read-aloud before the last family, whose story isn't specifically holiday-esque. I did appreciate the further diversity that the family brought, and the full-circle closure, but attention spans are king.
November 29, 2018
Genre: Multicultural/Fiction/Picture Book
Copyright Date: 2014
A sweet story about neighbors living together in community. This would be a good book to use to talk about the power of friendship and sharing. Also, about the different ways that people may celebrate the holidays. Grades K-5.
Copyright Date: 2014
A sweet story about neighbors living together in community. This would be a good book to use to talk about the power of friendship and sharing. Also, about the different ways that people may celebrate the holidays. Grades K-5.
December 28, 2022
Lovely book showing many families sharing a candle to celebrate various holidays of different cultures. The candle is also used for other purposes besides annual holidays by the tenants of the apt. building in this city story.
August 28, 2019
Lovely celebration of winter holidays in many cultures, showing how each uses candles. Sadly, Christmas in not mentioned.
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December 10, 2019Beautifully illustrated, a bit of an intro to different winter celebrations, but still kind of felt flat.
December 18, 2019
We are celebrating holidays around the world at the 📚 library 📚 and this is a perfect wrap up book. great story.
November 19, 2020
"a candle is blessed by what it does, not by how it looks. It'll shine."
Great message about people, too!
Great message about people, too!
December 17, 2022
A story of togetherness and connectivity, the winter candles that represent different faiths and how it's cobbled together for each family in the apartment complex. Sweet with a muted color palette.
February 25, 2023
Another book that should be available to students in schools.
April 12, 2023
I love stories of communities of cultural difference coming together over something simple. This one is lovely.
March 8, 2025
This book is so beautiful 😍😭 the art is beautiful and the story is heartwarming. Looooove it!!
December 30, 2018
Wonderful book that explores a range of cultural and religious celebrations in the month of December. A community coming together over a shared, lumpy, candle.
April 16, 2024
This wonderfully illustrated picture book shows how important candles are to some traditions. In one apartment building, several families needed a candle for their separate festivities. When each family realized they didn't have a candle a gnarled little candle was share and passed from family to family.
November 9, 2014
The holidays are coming to the Juniper Court apartments! As each family celebrates their own traditions of faith, they find they need a candle. All the superintendent has is one lumpy old used candle, so it will just have to do. The little candle is passed around from one family to the next, until at last everyone comes together to welcome the newest family to the building during a power outage. That little candle may not look like much, but it brings light and joy to everyone before the story is through.
This is a delightful book to share with children during the holiday season, no matter what your cultural background or holiday traditions. In fact, it can serve as an excellent way to help your kids (and maybe even you) learn more about other people's heritage and how they celebrate during the holidays. I shared this with my first grader, who is a good reader. She was able to make out some of the words but this was advanced enough that I had to read it to her, rather than let her tackle it herself. Even so, by enjoying a more challenging book together, it helps her pick up on new vocabulary words and more advanced sentence structures.
The illustrations were beautifully done by Stacey Schuett, showcasing the contrast between light and dark that was such a large part of the story. This book releases in just two days (November 11, 2014)! It is published by Creston Books, LLC. ISBN 978-1-939547-10-1. Suggested retail price is $16.95 for this lovely hardcover edition. My six year old could barely stand to let me keep the book handy so I could write this review. She wants it back so she can enjoy it on her own! This book truly captures the joy, hope and love that are part of the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate these in your own family.
This is a delightful book to share with children during the holiday season, no matter what your cultural background or holiday traditions. In fact, it can serve as an excellent way to help your kids (and maybe even you) learn more about other people's heritage and how they celebrate during the holidays. I shared this with my first grader, who is a good reader. She was able to make out some of the words but this was advanced enough that I had to read it to her, rather than let her tackle it herself. Even so, by enjoying a more challenging book together, it helps her pick up on new vocabulary words and more advanced sentence structures.
The illustrations were beautifully done by Stacey Schuett, showcasing the contrast between light and dark that was such a large part of the story. This book releases in just two days (November 11, 2014)! It is published by Creston Books, LLC. ISBN 978-1-939547-10-1. Suggested retail price is $16.95 for this lovely hardcover edition. My six year old could barely stand to let me keep the book handy so I could write this review. She wants it back so she can enjoy it on her own! This book truly captures the joy, hope and love that are part of the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate these in your own family.
September 15, 2014
I received this book as a goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This is a sweet little book about the residents of an apartment building who share an important part of a variety of special celebrations: the light of a candle. When each family finds that they do not have the candle they need, they look to their neighbors for help. One candle, already burned and not as "pretty" as a new one would be, is passed from apartment to apartment, lending its light to each special event, and demonstrating the light of love that extends across cultures.
The illustrations are well done and richly detailed, and truly enhance the story.
My only criticism is that the story, which tells of winter celebrations, does not include Hanukkah or Christmas. It seems to me that these major holidays ought to be included, especially given that candles are an integral part of each tradition.
But this is a very nice children's book that introduces the concept of multicultural understanding and friendship, and would be a nice addition to any family's library of children's books for winter nights.
This is a sweet little book about the residents of an apartment building who share an important part of a variety of special celebrations: the light of a candle. When each family finds that they do not have the candle they need, they look to their neighbors for help. One candle, already burned and not as "pretty" as a new one would be, is passed from apartment to apartment, lending its light to each special event, and demonstrating the light of love that extends across cultures.
The illustrations are well done and richly detailed, and truly enhance the story.
My only criticism is that the story, which tells of winter celebrations, does not include Hanukkah or Christmas. It seems to me that these major holidays ought to be included, especially given that candles are an integral part of each tradition.
But this is a very nice children's book that introduces the concept of multicultural understanding and friendship, and would be a nice addition to any family's library of children's books for winter nights.
August 8, 2014
Although many apartment complexes consist of units that separate their inhabitants entirely from one another, that isn't the case at Juniper Court apartments. As the storyline progresses, it appears that these residents are caring neighbors who help each other when needed. In each vignette, someone in a different apartment needs candles, and "a lumpy stick of wax" (unpaged) is passed on from one place to the other. While the candle may not look like much, it glows brightly each time its wick is lit. In fact, its glow helps the father of recent resident Nasreen find his way home. I liked the notes in the back matter that describe the holidays being celebrated in the book and the way community was formed to welcome home the new residents. Also, the illustrations with their lovely colors seem to almost glow on the book's pages. This place sounds like a great place to live.
February 25, 2015
I have this marked as "Christmas" because it does include a Christmas scene, but it's nice because it's more of a winter book than just a Christmas book. In it, different residents of an apartment building pass along an old, stubby candle as they need it for different winter celebrations, and eventually, it helps welcome some new neighbors. I wouldn't describe it as a particularly flashy or exciting book, but just a nice solid story of lots of different people sharing a neighborhood and helping each other out.
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