Farmer Kobi's Hanukkah Match

K-Gr 2—In this humorous yet confusing modern tale, Israeli Farmer Kobi has invited a guest to dinner for the second night of Hanukkah. Her name is Polly, and the animals on the farm are hoping that she and Farmer Kobi will be a perfect match. They all join in to help him get ready, including polishing the menorah and choosing his outfit, but things do not go well. Polly cannot understand what the geese, goats, sheep, and donkey are doing in the house, even after Farmer Kobi explains, "I wanted them to meet you." The visit ends before dinner begins, with Polly storming out the door, much to the animals' chagrin. "'Her name was Polly Ester—she was a faaake,' baaed the sheep." The good news is that this story has a happy ending. The bad news is that this tale has almost nothing to do with Hanukkah, other than to provide a contrivance for Farmer Kobi to ask Polly over for dinner. Even the endnotes fail to mention Hanukkah, providing instead a discussion of the Jewish values of "Compassion for Animals" and "Welcoming Guests."