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Hanukkah Moon
When Isobel is invited to Aunt Luisa's for Hanukkah, she's not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa has recently arrived from Mexico. "At Aunt Luisa's you'll get to celebrate the Hanukkah Moon," Isobel's father promises. Isobel's days at Aunt Luisa's are filled with fun and surprises -- a new camera, a dreidel pinata filled with sweets, and a mysterious late night visit to welcome the luna nueva, the new moon that appears on Hanukkah. An unusual Hanukkah story with a multi-cultural focus, this title celebrates a little-known custom of the Latin-Jewish community.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
About the author
Deborah da Costa
2 booksDeborah da Costa was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and raised in Verona, New Jersey. Da Costa is a pen name she uses for children's books, though she claims it does have family significance. She attended Ohio State and then Columbia University's Teacher's College in New York. She is married with two grown children and two grandchildren and lives in Maryland with her husband, Warren, and three formerly stray cats. She worked as a teacher, but now works as an educational consultant, college professor, and full-time writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 13, 2018
Isobel's Hanukkah visit to her Aunt Luisa, newly arrived from Mexico, provides both a heart-warming family reunion, and an educational foray into holiday traditions previously unknown to the young American girl, in this lovely picture-book from Deborah Da Costa and Gosia Mosz. With a homemade hanukkiah (the Hanukkah menorah) inspired by Noah's Ark, greetings and songs in Spanish - Feliz Januca, rather than "Happy Hanukkah," Trompo, trompo, trompo, lo hice de barro, rather than "Dreidel, dreidel, driedel. I made it out of clay" - a driedel-shaped pinata to break, and (most of all) a party to celebrate Hanukkah Rosh Chodesh - the Hanukkah new moon - Isobel finds that Aunt Luisa doesn't celebrate the Festival of Lights like anyone else she knows, and that this is a wonderful thing!
I enjoyed Hanukkah Moon a great deal, finding it both an engaging family story, in which a girl and her aunt become better friends, and an educational exploration of holiday traditions with which I was unfamiliar. Like Isobel, I had never heard of Rosh Chodesh before, or the tradition that each new moon is a woman's holiday, to honor the women who refused to contribute their gold, when the (male) Israelites were building a golden calf to worship. The illustrations, done by Polish artist Gosia Mosz - who, sadly, does not appear to have any other titles available in English - are simply beautiful, with an appealing color palette (lots of purples and yellows) and a distinctive, stylized sensibility that is very expressive. I liked the faces here (and Aunt Luisa's cat, Paco!), and I liked the composition of each two-page spread. All in all, this is a wonderful book, one with great narrative and illustrative appeal, and one which I recommend to any young reader looking for quality Hanukkah titles.
I enjoyed Hanukkah Moon a great deal, finding it both an engaging family story, in which a girl and her aunt become better friends, and an educational exploration of holiday traditions with which I was unfamiliar. Like Isobel, I had never heard of Rosh Chodesh before, or the tradition that each new moon is a woman's holiday, to honor the women who refused to contribute their gold, when the (male) Israelites were building a golden calf to worship. The illustrations, done by Polish artist Gosia Mosz - who, sadly, does not appear to have any other titles available in English - are simply beautiful, with an appealing color palette (lots of purples and yellows) and a distinctive, stylized sensibility that is very expressive. I liked the faces here (and Aunt Luisa's cat, Paco!), and I liked the composition of each two-page spread. All in all, this is a wonderful book, one with great narrative and illustrative appeal, and one which I recommend to any young reader looking for quality Hanukkah titles.
December 2, 2010
Deborah da Costa explains in her author's note, "This story reflects the celebration of the new moon that occurs during Hanukkah. This custom is popular among Sephardic Jews (those whose ancestors came from Spain), who settled in Latin America." da Costa's story tells of young Isobel who is invited to her Aunt Luisa's house for Hanukkah. Aunt Luisa recently moved to the US from Mexico and Isobel isn't sure whether Aunt Luisa will celebrate Hanukkah like Isobel's family always has. But, her father assures her that they will still celebrate Hanukkah with the menorah/hanukkiah and other traditions, and are also in for the treat of the celebration of the Hanukkah moon.
I really enjoyed this story. I had never heard of the moon celebration, or Rosh Hodesh, which is a special celebration once a month honoring the women who did not contribute their gold to help build the idol of the golden calf at Mt. Sinai. In this book, the luna nuevo (new moon) is welcomed during an especially festive time of Hanukkah making it even more special. While the storytelling and illustrations here were nothing really "wow" for me, I did appreciate the overall result and think it conveys beautifully a young girl's delight not only in a very special holiday tradition but in spending time with her aunt and learning new ones, as well. I also really appreciated the emphasis on animals and being kind to all living creatures.
I really enjoyed this story. I had never heard of the moon celebration, or Rosh Hodesh, which is a special celebration once a month honoring the women who did not contribute their gold to help build the idol of the golden calf at Mt. Sinai. In this book, the luna nuevo (new moon) is welcomed during an especially festive time of Hanukkah making it even more special. While the storytelling and illustrations here were nothing really "wow" for me, I did appreciate the overall result and think it conveys beautifully a young girl's delight not only in a very special holiday tradition but in spending time with her aunt and learning new ones, as well. I also really appreciated the emphasis on animals and being kind to all living creatures.
December 8, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. Young Isobel visits her Aunt Luisa’s for a few days during Hanukkah. Luisa has just arrived from Mexico and Isobel learns new Hanukkah traditions, as did I. I loved the Mexican infused holiday celebration. There is a dreidel shaped piñata, baking cookies, feeding visitors of various species, and welcoming the new moon.
I loved Luisa’s cat, all the food, the relationship between aunt and niece, and the including of wildlife in the celebration. I appreciated how the history of the holiday was incorporated into the story, and also thought that the author’s note at the beginning of the book and the glossary and the pronunciation guide to Spanish words that are in the story were all wonderful additions.
The illustrations were extremely unusual and I thought they were terrific. Their style is unique and fits the story well.
This is an excellent book for children who celebrate Hanukkah, either in a way that’s similar to what’s described in the story or in one of many other ways, and it could also interest children who are just learning about the holiday, its meaning and how it can be celebrated and honored. I learned right along with Isobel and found the new to me traditions fascinating. And, I want some (dark vegan) chocolate coins right now!
I loved Luisa’s cat, all the food, the relationship between aunt and niece, and the including of wildlife in the celebration. I appreciated how the history of the holiday was incorporated into the story, and also thought that the author’s note at the beginning of the book and the glossary and the pronunciation guide to Spanish words that are in the story were all wonderful additions.
The illustrations were extremely unusual and I thought they were terrific. Their style is unique and fits the story well.
This is an excellent book for children who celebrate Hanukkah, either in a way that’s similar to what’s described in the story or in one of many other ways, and it could also interest children who are just learning about the holiday, its meaning and how it can be celebrated and honored. I learned right along with Isobel and found the new to me traditions fascinating. And, I want some (dark vegan) chocolate coins right now!
December 11, 2020
Very good book. Felix Januca!!! I loved that the mixed so many cultures together in creating this story. I love the dreidel piñata.
My only downfall on this book was the beginning was so abrupt. I did not fully understand why she was being left at her Aunts with no explanation to me the reader.
My only downfall on this book was the beginning was so abrupt. I did not fully understand why she was being left at her Aunts with no explanation to me the reader.
December 3, 2025
Deborah da Costa helpfully begins this book with an “Author’s Note” that describes in brief the 8-day festival of Hanukkah:
“Hanukkah celebrates a time more than 2,000 years ago, when a small group of Jews fought the army of Syria and took back the holy city of Jerusalem. Then the Jews rebuilt their ruined Temple and lit the Temple’s sacred lamp. Legend has it that despite very little oil, the lamp miraculously burned for eight days and eight nights. . . ."
As the story begins, Isobel and her family go to visit Aunt Luisa, who recently arrived from Mexico. Aunt Luisa is a Sephardic Jew, whereas Isobel's family is Ashkenazi, like most American Jews. [The Ashkenazim descended from Jews who emigrated from Germany and Eastern Europe from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. Sephardic Jews, on the other hand, mainly came from Spain and Portugal. When Jews were banished from Spain in 1492, many immigrated to "New Spain," now Mexico. The long separation of these two groups resulted in some differences in language and customs.]
Mama and Papa explain that with her aunt, Isobel will learn about a different way that Hanukkah is observed, including a celebration of the new moon or "Hanukkah Moon," a custom popular among Sephardic Jews.
Isobel is delighted by the Sephardic forms of the Hanukkah traditions familiar to her, which include lighting the menorah or hanukkiah (with 8 candles - one for each night of Hanukkah), eating foods fried in oil such as jelly donuts, receiving “gelt” (money – real or chocolate) as a treat from the adults, and playing with a dreidel (a spinning top).
At Aunt Luisa’s, a Happy Hanukkah banner is in Spanish: “Feliz Januca!” And there is a gigantic piñata shaped like a dreidel hanging in the living room.
Aunt Luisa explains the new moon commemoration, called Rosh Hodesh, to Isobel. She reminds Isobel of the Bible story that relates how, when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments, he found the Israelites worshipping a golden calf. But the women among them refused to contribute their gold jewelry to help create the idol. Thus it was determined that women would be rewarded with a special holiday every month. At the time of the new moon, they did not have to do work, but could gather together and celebrate. Hanukkah's date each year is determined by the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar rather than solar, and often coincides with Rosh Hodesh (literally: new month).
Isobel has a great time, getting to know her aunt as well as learning new customs.
The artist and illustrator, Gosia Mosz (who also publishes art under the name Mayo Nmg), uses a rich color palette dominated by gold and purple. Her stylized figures with big almond-shaped eyes combine a Mexican folk art look with elements of Modigliani and Chagall to lovely effect.
Evaluation: Nothing much happens in this pleasant story, but it is valuable for showing that there are a group of Jews about which many Americans are not aware, who have a unique subculture. Most books or media productions in America focus on Ashkenazic Jews and their traditions, rather than on Sephardic Jews, making this book for kids 4 and up worth a look.
A glossary and a Spanish pronunciation guide are included at the end of the book.
“Hanukkah celebrates a time more than 2,000 years ago, when a small group of Jews fought the army of Syria and took back the holy city of Jerusalem. Then the Jews rebuilt their ruined Temple and lit the Temple’s sacred lamp. Legend has it that despite very little oil, the lamp miraculously burned for eight days and eight nights. . . ."
As the story begins, Isobel and her family go to visit Aunt Luisa, who recently arrived from Mexico. Aunt Luisa is a Sephardic Jew, whereas Isobel's family is Ashkenazi, like most American Jews. [The Ashkenazim descended from Jews who emigrated from Germany and Eastern Europe from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. Sephardic Jews, on the other hand, mainly came from Spain and Portugal. When Jews were banished from Spain in 1492, many immigrated to "New Spain," now Mexico. The long separation of these two groups resulted in some differences in language and customs.]
Mama and Papa explain that with her aunt, Isobel will learn about a different way that Hanukkah is observed, including a celebration of the new moon or "Hanukkah Moon," a custom popular among Sephardic Jews.
Isobel is delighted by the Sephardic forms of the Hanukkah traditions familiar to her, which include lighting the menorah or hanukkiah (with 8 candles - one for each night of Hanukkah), eating foods fried in oil such as jelly donuts, receiving “gelt” (money – real or chocolate) as a treat from the adults, and playing with a dreidel (a spinning top).
At Aunt Luisa’s, a Happy Hanukkah banner is in Spanish: “Feliz Januca!” And there is a gigantic piñata shaped like a dreidel hanging in the living room.
Aunt Luisa explains the new moon commemoration, called Rosh Hodesh, to Isobel. She reminds Isobel of the Bible story that relates how, when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments, he found the Israelites worshipping a golden calf. But the women among them refused to contribute their gold jewelry to help create the idol. Thus it was determined that women would be rewarded with a special holiday every month. At the time of the new moon, they did not have to do work, but could gather together and celebrate. Hanukkah's date each year is determined by the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar rather than solar, and often coincides with Rosh Hodesh (literally: new month).
Isobel has a great time, getting to know her aunt as well as learning new customs.
The artist and illustrator, Gosia Mosz (who also publishes art under the name Mayo Nmg), uses a rich color palette dominated by gold and purple. Her stylized figures with big almond-shaped eyes combine a Mexican folk art look with elements of Modigliani and Chagall to lovely effect.
Evaluation: Nothing much happens in this pleasant story, but it is valuable for showing that there are a group of Jews about which many Americans are not aware, who have a unique subculture. Most books or media productions in America focus on Ashkenazic Jews and their traditions, rather than on Sephardic Jews, making this book for kids 4 and up worth a look.
A glossary and a Spanish pronunciation guide are included at the end of the book.
December 31, 2021
Challenge: Grinchathon December 2021 - Moon (7). Young Isobel spends the first few days of Hannukah with her grandmother, a Sephardic Jew of Spanish heritage, who has just come from Mexico. Isobel learns of Rosh (C)Hodesh, a special day for Jewish women, which is celebrated a few days around the new moon each month and especially during Hannukah. Much is enjoyed that creates a lasting memory for Isobel and begins a new tradition to share with her Aunt Luisa. Included are the significance of chocolate gold coins and a dreidel-shaped pinata. Further research of Rosh (C)Hodesh, the gold coins, and the dreidel link Jewish history with Mt. Sinai, the Persians, the Romans, original gift-giving to itinerant tradesmen during Purim which is celebrated in the spring, and the switch to the Americanized time of gift-giving at Christmas, and therefore during Hannukah. A lovely story illustrated by Gosia Mosz and dominated by soft tonal shades of purple and gold.
January 7, 2026
Hanukkah celebrations: this was so interesting to learn about Sephardic latin american jewish traditions I didn’t know.
"This story reflects the celebration of the new moon that occurs during Hanukkah. This custom is popular among Sephardic Jews (those whose ancestors came from Spain), who settled in Latin America."
I really enjoyed this story and learning about the moon celebration, or Rosh Hodesh, which is a special celebration once a month honoring the women who did not contribute their gold to help build the idol of the golden calf at Mt. Sinai.
I also really appreciated the emphasis on animals and being kind to all living creatures.
"This story reflects the celebration of the new moon that occurs during Hanukkah. This custom is popular among Sephardic Jews (those whose ancestors came from Spain), who settled in Latin America."
I really enjoyed this story and learning about the moon celebration, or Rosh Hodesh, which is a special celebration once a month honoring the women who did not contribute their gold to help build the idol of the golden calf at Mt. Sinai.
I also really appreciated the emphasis on animals and being kind to all living creatures.
December 18, 2019
A perfect book living in my community that is 47% Hispanic. This helps explain Januca, Chanukah from a Latino perspective. Pinatas, dreidels, It also talks about Rosh Hodesh and the special observance for Chanukah. I'll be using the text as part of my Chanukah celebration this year on Friday night which is also Rosh Hodesh.
December 1, 2020
This is a story of a little girl who goes to her Aunt's House for the first night of Hanukkah. It is also the night of the new moon. Rosh Hodesh. She is given a camera to take pictures of the things she sees. I really enjoyed this story. It given me a different perspectives on other Ethnic traditions. Read what the little girl discovers.
December 21, 2024
This is a cute Hanukkah about a girl who visits her aunt during Hanukkah. the Hanukkah moon in the story is the Rosh Hodesh or new moon. The story will be especially enjoyable for animal lovers as the characters enjoy taking pictures of the backyard denizens. It also has Sephardic representation since there is a dreidel pinata and the characters sing the dreidel song in both English and Spanish.
January 10, 2018
Lovely illustrations. It was interesting to read about different Hanukkah celebrations. I do wish the author had included some more information about those practices, not just Rosh Chodesh, because it was unclear if they were European or North American Latinx.
December 12, 2020
This is a cute exploration of Hanukkah, Rosh Hodesh, and the uniquely Sephardic tradition of the special celebration of the new moon that arrives during Hanukkah. It's a sweet story with a fresh perspective. Recommended!
Read
November 15, 2022I think it is never too early for younger children to hear about the holidays from different religions so I think that this is a perfect book for that. Personally, I knew very little about the specific customs and I’m excited to do even more research!
December 20, 2018
The mixing of Latina culture and Hanukkah is a nice to recognize that may different cultures have different faiths in them.
November 24, 2019
I didn’t know about Rosh Hodesh. This book presents it without much detail, but has a loving relationship between aunt and niece. Bonus points for incorporating a Latinx Jew!
December 26, 2019
I loved this. The illustrations were magical and it was nice seeing Rosh Hodesh marked and Sephardi representation too!
November 29, 2020
This story was very informative. I love how it has a dictionary for words in the back.
December 20, 2020
Sephardic representation
November 21, 2021
A cute Latina Hanukkah story. The dreidel piñata was fun and my daughter loved the animals.
December 8, 2021
What a beautiful book that teaches us to not disbelieve things just because we don't understand them right now. I love what I learned about Rosh Hodesh!
Read
January 1, 2023Rating & Review to come! #85
December 10, 2023
A simple little story highlighting some lesser-known Chanukah traditions and bits of Sephardic culture.
January 3, 2024
Cute story about cultural exchange and family/community
October 10, 2025
I really loved this sweet book! Isobel visits her aunt Luisa and learns Mexican Sephardic Hanukkah traditions, as well as Rosh Khodesh! it really feels magical!
December 17, 2014
Author's note at the beginning explain the Spanish flavor to this Hanukkah story. I love Aunt Luisa's artistic flair with the handmade menorah using animal figures. I also like the purple and orange hues in the illustrations. Be sure to look closely to see what is hiding in the trees the night of the Hanukkah moon. Unfortunately this book appears to be out of print.
October 6, 2013
I liked this new Chanukah story -- bonus: an introduction to Rosh Chodesh and nature photography! An interesting story time companion to Eve Bunting's Night Tree.
Many thanks to my local public library for getting it.
Many thanks to my local public library for getting it.
October 11, 2014
I thought this was a very interesting book in that it incorporates two cultures that are not usually viewed together. Jewish and Spanish, instead of Catholic and Spanish, which is what people tend to expect.
December 19, 2012
Great read aloud for many ages. Gives backgroung information to a point. Tells a different side of Hanukkah that many students never hear.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews