Latke's First Hanukkah

by Alan Silberberg

Now even the youngest readers can celebrate Hanukkah by joining Latke and his zany friends for an eight-night-long party!

Alan Silberberg brings his signature humor to the board book audience with a silly, accessible introduction to Hanukkah. Latke is having a party to celebrate the miracle of the oil, and before the holiday is over, all his friends will join him.

On the first night of Hanukkah, the latke lights the menorah.
On the second night of Hanukkah, the gelt gets sweet and giddy...
The party grows and grows until the eighth night of Hanukkah, when Latke's home is full and all eight candles on the menorah are lit (plus the shamas!).

Genres: Holiday, Picture Books, Jewish, Childrens, Counting

16 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Lorryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really cute.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Hanukkah book for toddlers with a countdown through 8 nights and plenty of food.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's chaos at Latke's house over the course of the eight nights of Hanukkah in this new holiday board book for the youngest children. Bright colorful artwork is paired with a simple text describing how Latke lights the menorah the first night, how applesauce and sour cream get into an argument on the second, and how the spinning dreidels make themselves dizzy on the third. So it goes, until the eighth night, when the house is full of light...

After finding author/illustrator Alan Silberberg's 2018 Meet the Latkes unexpectedly delightful—humorous picture books can be hit or miss with me, but I found that one hilarious!—I was excited to discover that he had a new Hanukkah book out this year (2023). I read the digital edition, although I understand that the print copy is in board book format. I wasn't as impressed with this one, as I was with Meet the Latkes , but then, there's not really much of a story here, just a string of zany Hanukkah antics, building up to the eighth night of the holiday. That said, for the intended audience of infants and very young children, I think the bright colors and counting structure here will work just fine, and it is to them that I would recommend the book.

[Elizabeth]

I was sort of meh on this at first skim, but then I showed it to my partner and paid more attention to the illustrations, and enjoyed it more.

My partner, when Applesauce and Sour Cream are arguing (while Latke "Oy"s in the background): "So this is a poly V?"

(I still have questions, though. Like what is the T-shaped wrapped present supposed to be?)

[Lori Tart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful and clever book introduces Hanukkah and it's concepts through counting, colors, and Hebrew terms with enthusiasm and joy. A great read aloud for preschoolers.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling and hilarious! A great board book introduction to Hanukkah.

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a board book eight days in a row and then putting returning it to the library really is the ideal children's book experience.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This was a really cute Hanukkah board book. A great introduction to the holiday for young readers.