Readers won’t learn anything about either holiday from this book. Those looking for an authentic and heartwarming depiction of an interfaith and blended family should try Sarah Aronson’s Brand-New Bubbe.
With several other make-your-own menorah stories already crowding the Hanukkah bookshelf, this one may not stand out. See Karen Fisman’s Nonna’s Hanukkah Surprise, Lauren L. Wohl’s The Eighth Menorah, Jamie Korngold’s Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah, and Marissa Moss’s The Ugly Menorah.
Jewish and non-Jewish readers will relate to Ruby’s family outing to the apple orchard. However, with no real conflict or suspense, there’s not much of a story here. An optional purchase.
Shelve this alongside Freidele Galya Soban Biniashvili’s I Love Matzah, Tracy Newman’s Passover Is Coming!, and Sylvia A. Rouss’s Sammy Spider’s Passover Shapes.